Question

using nasa’s powerful james webb space telescope (jwst), mercedes lópez-morales and colleagues measured the wavelengths of light traveling through the atmosphere of wasp-39b, an exoplanet, or planet outside our solar system. different molecules absorb different wavelengths of light, and the wavelength measurements showed the presence of carbon dioxide (co₂) in wasp-39b’s atmosphere. this finding not only offers the first decisive evidence of co₂ in the atmosphere of an exoplanet but also illustrates the potential for future scientific breakthroughs held by the jwst.

1. which choice best describes the overall structure of the text?

a it discusses a method used by some researchers, then states why an alternative method is superior to it.
b it describes how researchers made a scientific discovery, then explains the importance of that discovery.
c it outlines the steps taken in a scientific study, then presents a hypothesis based on that study.
d it examines how a group of scientists reached a conclusion, then shows how other scientists have challenged that conclusion.

Explanation:

The text first states that researchers used the JWST to make a discovery (detecting CO₂ in WASP-39b's atmosphere), then explains the significance of this finding (first decisive exoplanet CO₂ evidence, shows JWST's future potential).

Answer:

B. It describes how researchers made a scientific discovery, then explains the importance of that discovery.