Across the Milky Way, about 190 light years from Earth, astronomers have identified a highly unusual planetary pairing. A massive hot Jupiter, a type of giant planet typically found alone, shares its system with a smaller mini-Neptune orbiting even closer to their star. This rare configuration has puzzled scientists since it was first discovered in 2020. Now, researchers at MIT have taken a closer look at the inner planet's atmosphere and uncovered new clues that help explain how this strange system formed. JWST Reveals a Heavy, Water-Rich Atmosphere In a study published in Astrophysical Journal Letters , the team used NASA's James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to analyze the atmosphere of the mini-Neptune. This marks the first time scientists have measured the atmospheric composition of a mini-Neptune located inside the orbit of a hot Jupiter.…