Astronomers using NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope have found strong evidence of a gas giant planet orbiting Alpha Centauri A, part of the closest star system to the Sun at just 4 light-years away.

While Proxima Centauri, the system’s red dwarf, has three confirmed planets, planets around Alpha Centauri A and B have been harder to detect.

If confirmed, this gas giant would be the closest planet orbiting in the habitable zone of a Sun-like star, though it likely cannot support life, NASA has reported.

The discovery highlights Webb’s advanced capabilities and the effort required to observe such a challenging nearby target.

Written by B.C. Begley