Young Gas Giant HR 8799 e (NIRCam Spectrum)

Young Gas Giant HR 8799 e (NIRCam Spectrum)

Caption

This graph shows a spectrum of one of the planets in the HR 8799 system, HR 8799 e, which displays the amounts of near-infrared light detected from the planet by Webb at different wavelengths.

The blue and yellow lines are a best-fit model for an atmosphere that would be either low or high in metals heavier than helium, including carbon, also known as metallicity. The Webb data is consistent with a high metallicity planet.

Spectral fingerprints of carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide appear in data collected by Webb’s NIRCam (Near-Infrared Camera).