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]

Core Insights - The discovery of a super-Earth, Kepler-725c, in the habitable zone of a sun-like star, Kepler-725, represents a significant breakthrough in the search for extraterrestrial life [1][3] - The research was led by the Yunnan Observatory of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and utilized Transit Timing Variation (TTV) technology [1][4] - The findings were published in the prestigious journal Nature Astronomy, highlighting the potential for discovering Earth-like planets [1] Group 1 - The super-Earth Kepler-725c has a mass approximately 10 times that of Earth and is located in the habitable zone, which is crucial for the existence of liquid water [1][3] - Kepler-725, the host star, is a G9V type, younger than the Sun at 1.6 billion years old, and exhibits more intense magnetic activity [3][4] - The orbital period of Kepler-725c is about 207.5 days, which is similar to Earth's orbital period, suggesting potential similarities in environmental conditions [3] Group 2 - The discovery opens new avenues for finding "Earth 2.0" in the habitable zones of sun-like stars, which is essential for understanding the origins of life [1][4] - The distance from Earth to Kepler-725c is approximately 160 million kilometers, which is a significant distance in astronomical terms [4]

Core Viewpoint - NASA celebrates the 35th anniversary of the Hubble Space Telescope, highlighting its significant contributions to space science and its ongoing relevance despite plans for a successor [4][6]. Group 1: Hubble's Achievements - Hubble has transformed human understanding of the universe, providing vivid images and numerous scientific breakthroughs since its launch in 1990 [4]. - The telescope has conducted nearly 1.7 million observations of approximately 55,000 astronomical targets, leading to over 22,000 published papers with more than 1.3 million citations [8]. - Hubble's unique ability to capture ultraviolet light allows it to observe celestial phenomena that ground-based telescopes cannot, achieving ten times the clarity of traditional ground-based observations [7]. Group 2: Current Status and Popularity - Despite being operational for 35 years, Hubble remains one of the most sought-after astronomical instruments, with the number of scientists applying for observation time being six times greater than the available slots [8]. - Hubble's data archive exceeds 400 terabytes, showcasing its extensive contributions to astronomical research [8]. Group 3: Future Considerations - Hubble is currently beyond its intended operational lifespan, with the last maintenance mission conducted 16 years ago, raising concerns about its future viability [9]. - NASA faces budget constraints, with funding expected to decrease significantly, complicating any potential maintenance or operational extension for Hubble [10].

新华社伦敦4月22日电 热点问答｜"最有力证据"能否证明系外生命存在 新华社记者郭爽 英国剑桥大学领导的国际团队日前宣布，在距离地球约124光年的太阳系外行星K2-18b大气层中，发现 了迄今太阳系外可能存在生命活动的"最有力证据"。 太阳系外是否有生命存在，激发着人类对宇宙探索的无尽好奇。因此，这一发现随即成为科学界重磅新 闻，引发全球广泛关注。不过，新研究也引发质疑。不少科学家认为，这项研究并非生命存在的证据， 距离我们找到宇宙中的其他生命依旧十分遥远。但无论是否被证实，最新发现都凸显了研究类似K2- 18b行星的重要性。 研究人员指出，尽管K2-18b大气层中这些分子有可能来自未知的化学过程，但最新结果是迄今太阳系 外行星可能存在生命的最有力证据，这一发现有望推动人类对地球之外其他生命存在的探索进入新阶 段。 何以引发关注 几个世纪以来，科学家们一直在寻找地外生命。英国《自然》杂志网站发表的评论文章指出，如果二甲 基硫醚和二甲基二硫醚确实存在于K2-18b大气层中，并且是通过生命活动产生的，那么这一发现将是 突破性的。 在迄今宇宙中已发现的5800多颗太阳系外行星中，K2-18b属于最常见的类型之一，但 ...