Using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), astronomers have explored one of the Milky Way’s most extreme star-forming regions, revealing that Earth-like planets can emerge even in highly irradiated environments. The findings, published in The Astrophysical Journal, challenge previous assumptions that intense ultraviolet (UV) radiation prevents planet formation around smaller stars.

“UV radiation was long thought to threaten planet formation,” said Konstantin Getman, a co-author of the study from Penn State. However, JWST’s observations show that protoplanetary disks – swirling rings of gas and dust where planets are born – can survive and evolve despite these harsh conditions.

The team focused on XUE 1, a protoplanetary disk around a young star bathed in extreme UV radiation, far stronger than anything in our solar system. JWST’s advanced instruments, particularly its Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI), were crucial in analyzing the disk’s structure, temperature, and chemical composition from 5,500 light-years away.

To interpret the data, researchers developed the first thermochemical model driven by JWST observations, simulating how light, heat, and chemical reactions interact within the disk. “This helps us understand how planetary systems like ours form,” said co-author Portilla Revelo. The model revealed that while UV radiation alters the disk’s outer regions – where gas giants may form – the inner zone, where rocky planets like Earth emerge, remains shielded.

Surprisingly, the team detected water – a key ingredient for habitable worlds, in this hostile environment. This suggests planet formation is more resilient than previously believed, expanding the potential habitats for life in the galaxy. The findings highlight JWST’s unparalleled ability to study distant star-forming regions, offering new insights into the diversity of planetary systems.

Read the full article by Space.com.