文章介绍，研究团队还将通过更多观测来复核发现，若最终得到证实，这将是首次通过直接成像技术观 测到位于恒星宜居带内的系外行星。不过研究团队表示，这颗气态行星本身不太可能存在生命，但它为 评估其卫星的宜居性提供了令人兴奋的可能性。 据介绍，相关论文已发表在美国《天体物理学杂志通讯》上。（完） 半人马座阿尔法星系是一个距离地球大约4光年的三恒星系统，其最亮的恒星A星与太阳非常相似。本 次观测到的候选行星是一颗围绕A星运转的气态行星，且位于A星的宜居带内，即与恒星距离适中，温 度适宜生命繁衍的区域。 迄今绝大多数系外行星是通过间接线索而非直接成像发现的，比如通过观测恒星受行星引力作用产生的 摆动现象来锁定行星。而这次，研究团队利用韦布空间望远镜的中红外仪器，将焦点对准了半人马座阿 尔法星系的A星。由于该星系距离地球较近，研究团队尽力排除恒星的眩光干扰，成功获得了足以分辨 出行星的高分辨率图像。 新华社伦敦8月11日电 英国《自然》杂志网站近日刊文说，一个国际研究团队借助美国航天局的詹姆 斯·韦布空间望远镜，在距离地球最近的"三体"星系——半人马座阿尔法星系，观测到一颗位于恒星宜 居带的候选行星。 ...

Core Points - The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has found evidence of an exoplanet named TWA 7b, which, if confirmed, would be the first exoplanet discovered through direct imaging by the telescope and the smallest exoplanet discovered using this method to date [1][2] - TWA 7b orbits a star located approximately 110 light-years away, with a mass similar to that of Saturn [1] - The discovery was made by an international research team, which published their findings in the journal Nature [1] Methodology - The JWST previously discovered exoplanets primarily using the transit method, which detects the dimming of a star as a planet passes in front of it [1] - Direct imaging is more challenging due to the overwhelming signals from the host star, making the detection of exoplanets more complex [1] - The research team utilized the mid-infrared instrument on the JWST to filter out signals from the TWA 7 star, identifying a signal source in the surrounding dust ring that matched theoretical predictions for the presence of a planet [1] Significance - If further research confirms TWA 7b as an exoplanet, it would represent a significant advancement in the sensitivity of direct imaging techniques, with its mass being about one-tenth of the previously smallest exoplanet discovered through this method [2]

Core Insights - The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has successfully captured direct images of a small gas giant exoplanet, marking a significant step towards observing smaller planets closer to Earth's mass [1][2] - This discovery fills a gap in understanding the formation processes of early planets and the dynamics within protoplanetary disks [1] Group 1: Exoplanet Discovery - JWST has identified the smallest exoplanet observed through direct imaging to date, overcoming significant technical challenges due to the planet's faintness and proximity to its bright host star [1] - The exoplanet, named TWA 7b, is estimated to have a mass approximately 0.3 times that of Jupiter and orbits its host star at a distance of 52 astronomical units [2] Group 2: Technological Advancements - A specialized coronagraph developed by the Paris Observatory was installed on JWST's MIRI instrument to block the central star's light, facilitating the observation of fainter objects [1] - Future JWST missions aim to capture images of exoplanets with masses as low as 10% of Jupiter, enhancing the understanding of terrestrial planets [2] Group 3: Implications for Astronomy - The discovery of TWA 7b represents a major breakthrough in the study of lower-mass exoplanets and sets the stage for future explorations [2] - Advancements in imaging technology, both in space and on the ground, are expected to improve the capability to search for exoplanets, further unraveling cosmic mysteries [2]