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JWST Reveals Unique Moon-Forming Disk Around Exoplanet CT Cha b

9/30/2025

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Summary

Story summary

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) measured moon-forming disk around exoplanet CT Cha b, 625 light-years away.
CT Cha b's disk contains carbon-rich molecules; the star's circumstellar disk lacks carbon.
CT Cha b is a young gas giant 2 million years old.
The results imply rapid chemical evolution and differences between circumplanetary and circumstellar disks, enabling JWST study next year.

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Story summary

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) measured moon-forming disk around exoplanet CT Cha b, 625 light-years away.
CT Cha b's disk contains carbon-rich molecules; the star's circumstellar disk lacks carbon.
CT Cha b is a young gas giant 2 million years old.
The results imply rapid chemical evolution and differences between circumplanetary and circumstellar disks, enabling JWST study next year.