James Webb just found planets spilling their guts in space. What's inside will shock you

Produced by: Mohsin Shaikh

Planet Spills

[{"selector":"#anim-358490c8-6e24-4380-9d49-436ac5ec3d9d [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Material from rocky planets is evaporating, creating comet-like tails as seen by JWST.

Tails Revealed

[{"selector":"#anim-9ad53b03-3694-4ab6-a57a-cdb504071cbe [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-17.745208236923364%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] BD+05 4868 Ab displays twin dust tails, one leading and one trailing, formed by diverse grain sizes.

Disintegrating Worlds

Planets like K2-22b lose material rapidly, leaving behind silicate and even mantle gases. Representative pic

Cosmic Countdown

[{"selector":"#anim-2db42c7f-b63d-4421-a6d8-1f0fb2c966f1 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(31.966277874367577%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] BD+05 4868 Ab is evaporating at a moon’s mass every million years, nearing complete destruction. Representative pic

Stellar Secrets

[{"selector":"#anim-b74f3ad7-7817-47ef-b469-063c0828de50 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-30.14112891289472%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] The brightest host star yet, BD+05 4868 A offers new data on disintegrating planets. Representative pic

Unexpected Elements

[{"selector":"#anim-e2c47ecb-e2d7-4a18-ac5f-ca0fd203586c [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(14.125560320431884%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Nitric oxide and carbon dioxide were surprisingly detected, more common in icy comets than rocky planets. Representative pic

Rare Transits

[{"selector":"#anim-c0bd02f3-02ed-41f3-8a4d-6773bdda05d6 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(32.42187488972383%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Unique asymmetric transits reveal volatile planets with extended tails blocking starlight. Representative pic

Final Moments

[{"selector":"#anim-19140da7-91b1-413e-9ead-9057d1686f1e [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(31.032635976850486%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Disintegrating planets showcase their interiors, providing insights into terrestrial evolution. Representative pic

Future Studies

[{"selector":"#anim-0491869e-3062-4e57-920c-0dac9141a101 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-26.325309418132097%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] JWST’s precision will further probe BD+05 4868 A and redefine what we know of planetary death.

Related Stories 'The Patna boy who said no to Rs 100 crore': How Khan Sir became India’s YouTube guru When ₹20 crore isn't enough: Inside Deepika Padukone and Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Spirit breakup ₹40 lakh a month: Inside actor Ravi Mohan’s divorce battle and alimony law behind it 'Floods, flights, forests': How Kerala became a perfect storm for infections