JWST discovers planet-forming ingredients in surprising nearby galaxy.
NASA's James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has discovered the ingredients for planet formation in NGC 346, a star-forming region in the Small Magellanic Cloud. The discovery suggests that planet formation may be more common throughout the Universe than previously thought. The researchers used JWST's infrared capabilities to see through the dust emitted by low-mass stars as they form, and found enough dust to indicate planet formation was possible. The discovery broadens understanding of where planets can exist and could help explain the birth of the Solar System. Follow-up observations will target the potential planetary systems reported in the latest study.