Newly Discovered Planet K18-2b Shows Potential for Hydrogen-Rich Atmosphere and Water Ocean

Scientists at the US Space Agency discovered “NASA“A new planet, located 120 light-years from the solar system, is likely to have a hydrogen-rich atmosphere and a surface covered by a water ocean.

Scientists were able to examine the planet known as “K18-2b” with the help of the James Webb Space Telescope during their search for features of life outside the solar system.

The Webb telescope has detected carbon dioxide and methane in the atmosphere of exoplanet K2-18 b, a potentially habitable world over 8 times bigger than Earth. Webb’s data suggests the planet might be covered in ocean, with a hydrogen-rich atmosphere: pic.twitter.com/yoXF3flsUl
— NASA Webb Telescope (@NASAWebb) September 11, 2023

NASA explained that the size of the discovered planet is about 8.6 times the size of Earth, noting the presence of traces of carbon dioxide and methane in its atmosphere without detecting ammonia, which most likely indicates the presence of a water ocean under a hydrogen-rich atmosphere.

“Our findings underscore the importance of considering diverse habitable environments when searching for life elsewhere,” said lead author of the research, University of Cambridge scientist Nico Madhusudan.

“Traditionally, the search for life on exoplanets has focused primarily on smaller, rocky planets, but larger Hessian worlds are more suitable for atmospheric observations,” he added.

The US agency suggested the presence of dimethyl sulfide (DMS) in the atmosphere of K18-2B, which is found on Earth only as a byproduct of life that arises mainly through phytoplankton in marine environments. If the presence of this compound is proven conclusively, it will be considered one of the The most exciting discoveries in the search for extraterrestrial life.

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In addition, Madhusudan stressed: “Upcoming Webb Telescope observations should be able to confirm whether dimethyl sulfide is indeed present in the atmosphere of K18-2B at significant levels.”

NASA noted that the planet’s location in the habitable zone and containing carbon-bearing molecules does not necessarily mean that the planet can support life, as the planet’s large size indicates that its interior may contain a large mantle of high-pressure ice, like Neptune’s.

Since the new planet has an atmosphere rich in hydrogen, scientists suggest that there are oceans of water in the Hessian worlds, but it is also possible that the ocean is too hot to be habitable or liquid.