James Webb Space Telescope directly studied rocky exoplanet LHS 3844 b and revealed detailed insights into its surface composition and extreme planetary conditions.

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• James Webb Space Telescope conducted direct observations of rocky exoplanet LHS 3844 b, also known as Kuaꞌkua, on May 4, 2026.
• LHS 3844 b is classified as a super-Earth exoplanet located nearly 50 light-years away and is estimated to be around 30 percent larger than Earth.
• Scientists used the Mid-Infrared Instrument aboard the telescope to analyse heat emissions and study the surface geology and composition of the distant exoplanet.
• Observations revealed that the exoplanet is extremely hot, dark, barren, and lacks a detectable atmosphere due to intense stellar radiation exposure.
• Researchers stated that the planet is tidally locked, meaning one side permanently faces its host star while the opposite hemisphere remains in darkness.
• Surface temperatures on the star-facing side of LHS 3844 b reach nearly 1,340 degrees Fahrenheit, or approximately 725 degrees Celsius, according to observations.
• The planet’s surface appears dominated by basaltic and igneous mantle rock compositions similar to Mercury and the Moon instead of Earth-like granite crusts.
• The study represents a significant advancement in exoplanet geology, allowing scientists to directly examine the physical properties of rocky planets outside the Solar System.