James Webb Telescope Studies Rocky Exoplanet LHS 3844 b

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On 4 May 2026, the James Webb Space Telescope directly examined the rocky exoplanet LHS 3844 b, also known as Kua?kua. The planet is a super-Earth located around 49–50 light-years from Earth and is approximately 30% larger than our planet.

James Webb Space Telescope

The James Webb Space Telescope is an advanced space observatory jointly developed by NASA, the European Space Agency, and the Canadian Space Agency. Designed to observe the universe in infrared light, it carries sophisticated instruments such as the Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI), which helps scientists study heat patterns and molecular signatures from distant celestial objects.

LHS 3844 b: A Rocky Exoplanet

LHS 3844 b is a tidally locked exoplanet, meaning one side always faces its host star. The permanently illuminated side reaches extreme temperatures of nearly 1,340°F (725°C). Data collected by MIRI during 2023 and 2024 revealed that the planet is dark, extremely hot, barren, and lacks an atmosphere.

Exoplanet Geology and Surface Composition

Scientists studied the heat radiating from the surface of LHS 3844 b to understand its geological makeup. The findings suggest the surface is composed mainly of basaltic or igneous mantle rock, similar to the surfaces of Mercury and the Moon, rather than a silica- and granite-rich crust like Earth’s. This research falls under the field of exoplanet geology, which focuses on studying the physical and geological characteristics of planets beyond our Solar System.

Exoplanet Research

Exoplanets are planets that orbit stars outside the Solar System. By analysing surface heat and composition directly, scientists can investigate rocky worlds that cannot be studied through traditional atmospheric transit methods.

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