Webb Finds Gas Giant Candidate Near Alpha Centauri

Astronomers using NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope have found strong evidence for a gas giant exoplanet, approximately the size of Saturn or Jupiter, orbiting Alpha Centauri A, a nearby sun-like star located four light-years from Earth. The planet is situated within the star's habitable zone, but its gaseous nature likely precludes life on the planet itself, though its moons could potentially be habitable. Detection was achieved through advanced infrared imaging and coronagraphy, overcoming the challenges posed by the brightness and gravitational complexity of the Alpha Centauri system. If confirmed, this would be the closest exoplanet ever found around a sun-like star, offering unique opportunities for future study. Scientists caution that further observations are required to confirm the planet's existence. The discovery is detailed in two papers accepted by The Astrophysical Journal Letters.