NASA Finds Oceans And Sign Of Life On Another Planet
NASA has discovered a rare water ocean on a large exoplanet 120 light years away. Located in the Leo constellation, the celestial body also revealed hints of potential life. The space agency’s James Webb telescope made the fascinating find, building on earlier studies of the region using its predecessors, Hubble and Kepler.
Named K2-18 b, the newfound exoplanet is anything but ordinary. With a mass nearly nine times that of Earth, it belongs to a category known as Hycean exoplanets, which are believed to boast hydrogen-rich atmospheres and water-covered surfaces. The key to this discovery lies in the chemical composition of K2-18 b’s atmosphere.
“Our findings underscore the importance of considering diverse habitable environments in the search for life elsewhere.”
Nikku Madhusudhan, University of Cambridge astronomer
NASA’s observations have indicated the possibility of an ocean world beneath a hydrogen-rich atmosphere. Specifically, the presence of methane and carbon dioxide and a shortage of ammonia lend credence to the theory of a hidden ocean on the exoplanet. However, scientists are most excited about detecting a molecule called dimethyl sulfide (DMS) on K2-18 b.
DMS is exclusively produced on Earth by living organisms, primarily phytoplankton, in marine environments. While its presence on the exoplanet remains to be confirmed and requires further investigation, it leans toward the prospect of extraterrestrial life.
Nikku Madhusudhan, a University of Cambridge astronomer and lead author of the NASA research emphasized the importance of upcoming observations in confirming the presence of DMS and unraveling the mysteries of exoplanet K2-18 b. “Our findings underscore the importance of considering diverse habitable environments in the search for life elsewhere,” he said via The Guardian.
“Traditionally, the search for life on exoplanets has focused primarily on smaller rocky planets, but the larger Hycean worlds are significantly more conducive to atmospheric observations,” Madhusudhan added. Interestingly, this groundbreaking discovery isn’t NASA’s first encounter with water beyond our solar system.
The presence of methane and carbon dioxide and a shortage of ammonia lend credence to the theory of a hidden ocean on the exoplanet.
Water vapor was previously detected on exoplanet HAT-P-11b, which shares the same size range as Neptune and is also located 120 light-years away in the constellation Cygnus. However, K2-18 b’s unique characteristics make it a particularly promising candidate for further study. Despite the excitement about the find, scientists remain cautious.
While the presence of water and potentially DMS are promising signs, they do not guarantee the exoplanet’s suitability for life. Nevertheless, Madhusudhan stressed the importance of broadening the search for extraterrestrial life since larger Hycean exoplanets like K2-18 b offer more favorable conditions for atmospheric observations.
The Discovery Of K2-18 b
K2-18 b orbits a cool dwarf star named K2-18 and resides within the habitable zone. This zone is a region around a star where exoplanets could theoretically store liquid water, a fundamental requirement for life. The planet’s interior is believed to contain a substantial mantle of high-pressure ice, akin to Neptune, while its thinner hydrogen-rich atmosphere floats above an ocean-covered surface.
The existence of K2-18 b was initially detected by NASA’s K2 mission in 2015. However, it was only with the advanced technology of the James Webb telescope that scientists could perform a more detailed analysis. The James Webb Space Telescope, which celebrated its first anniversary of operation in July, continues to provide invaluable insights into the universe’s mysteries.
The James Webb telescope has exceeded expectations, offering humanity an unprecedented look into the cosmos, delivering high-resolution images of exoplanets, mysterious cosmic structures, and even glimpses of stars on the brink of death.
