The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is currently being used to investigate a potential Jupiter-sized planet orbiting Alpha Centauri A, the Sun-like star in the closest star system to our own. This ongoing investigation, if it confirms the planet's existence, would represent a significant advancement in exoplanet research, demonstrating the capabilities of advanced telescopes in exploring planetary systems beyond our solar system.
An international team of researchers, led by Aniket Sanghi from Caltech, is analyzing data from JWST's Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI). Observations are being conducted throughout 2025 to gather more evidence about the potential planet and a bright zodiacal dust disk around Alpha Centauri A.
Detecting exoplanets around binary star systems like Alpha Centauri is exceptionally difficult. The proximity of Alpha Centauri B complicates observations due to its bright light and gravitational interactions. Researchers are employing advanced techniques to mitigate these challenges and improve the accuracy of their findings.
The current observations aim to determine the size and orbital characteristics of any potential planet located approximately 1.5 to 2 AU from Alpha Centauri A. The team is also studying a zodiacal disk around Alpha Centauri A, which appears significantly brighter than our solar system's zodiacal disk.
This research marks the beginning of an in-depth study using JWST data. Further analysis will refine the understanding of the Alpha Centauri system, searching for planets and dust, and setting the stage for future exoplanet discoveries.