The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has captured the first-ever direct image of an exoplanet, TWA 7b. Located 111 light-years away, this Saturn-mass exoplanet is significantly smaller than previously directly imaged exoplanets. Scientists used a coronagraph to block starlight and reveal the exoplanet's faint infrared glow. This breakthrough, achieved by simulating an eclipse and utilizing data from both JWST and the Very Large Telescope, marks a significant step in exoplanet research, potentially aiding in understanding our solar system's formation.

Prepared by Olivia Bennett and reviewed by editorial team.