Canada’s instrument NIRISS on #Webb reveals the distinct signature of water 💧 in the atmosphere of a hot, puffy gas giant planet orbiting a distant Sun-like star. It also shows evidence of haze and clouds that previous studies of this planet did not detect. ☁

The spectrum captured by NIRISS isn’t only the most detailed of its kind to date, but it also covers a remarkably wide range of wavelengths, including a portion of the spectrum that has not previously been accessible from other telescopes.

This part of the spectrum is particularly sensitive to water as well as other key molecules like oxygen, methane, and carbon dioxide. Webb will play a significant role in the search for potentially habitable planets in the coming years.

Each of the 141 data points (white circles) on this graph represents the amount of a specific wavelength of light that is blocked by the planet and absorbed by its atmosphere.

Credits: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, and the Webb ERO Production Team
Source: @csa_asc