NASA Discovers Potential Rare Water Ocean and Sign of Life on Exoplanet K2-18 b
In a groundbreaking revelation, scientists at NASA have announced the existence of what could potentially be a rare water ocean on a giant exoplanet located 120 light years away. The discovery was made by the space agency’s James Webb telescope while studying the planet K2-18 b in the constellation Leo. This finding builds upon earlier studies conducted using NASA’s Hubble and Kepler telescopes.
K2-18 b, nearly nine times the mass of Earth, is categorized as a Hycean exoplanet, meaning it has the potential to possess a hydrogen-rich atmosphere and a surface covered with a water ocean. NASA’s observations of the planet’s chemical composition indicate the likelihood of an ocean world. The abundance of methane and carbon dioxide, along with the scarcity of ammonia, support the hypothesis of a water ocean beneath a hydrogen-rich atmosphere on K2-18 b.
However, the most intriguing possibility arises from the potential finding of a molecule called dimethyl sulfide (DMS), which is only produced by life on Earth. The presence of DMS on K2-18 b is yet to be confirmed, requiring further investigation. NASA’s upcoming observations with the James Webb telescope will determine if DMS is indeed present in the planet’s atmosphere at significant levels.
While it wouldn’t be NASA’s first indication of water on other planets, scientists are excited about this revelation. Nonetheless, they caution that the presence of water does not necessarily guarantee the ability to support life. This discovery emphasizes the importance of considering diverse habitable environments in the search for extraterrestrial life.
K2-18 b orbits a cool dwarf star and lies within the habitable zone, where liquid water may exist. It is believed to have a large mantle of high-pressure ice, similar to Neptune, accompanied by a thinner hydrogen-rich atmosphere and a possible ocean surface. However, the ocean on K2-18 b might be too hot to be habitable.
The existence of K2-18 b was first detected in 2015 by NASA’s K2 mission, but the advanced technology of the James Webb telescope allowed for a more detailed analysis and the potential identification of an ocean world. Scientists were able to study the exoplanet’s atmosphere by observing a fraction of the star’s light passing through it.
Nikku Madhusudhan, a University of Cambridge astronomer and lead author of the NASA research, highlighted the significance of the James Webb telescope in this discovery. With just two transits, the telescope delivered comparable precision to eight observations conducted over several years with the Hubble telescope.
In July, NASA celebrated the first anniversary of the operation of the Webb space telescope by releasing high-resolution images of distant worlds and various cosmic structures. The telescope has revolutionized our understanding of the universe, allowing us to delve deeper into its origins and uncovering astonishing phenomena.
As NASA continues its investigation into K2-18 b, the possibility of a rare water ocean and potential signs of life raise exciting prospects for the future of space exploration and our understanding of the universe.