Discovering K2-18b: The Promising Exoplanet in the Habitable Zone with Water Potential

Jakarta –

The James Webb Space Telescope managed to find a planet that is in the habitable zone. Astronomers say that there is likely water flowing on the planet.

The planet is the exoplanet K2-18b. Based on research results from space observatories and astronomical instruments, this planet has several features that support human life, one of which is water.

But, is it really possible to live on the planet K2-18b with people one day? Check out the discussion in this article.

Meet Planet K2-18b which is said to have water

According to NASA, the planet orbits a small, cool star, which is K2-18. Planet K2-18b is known to be in the habitable or Goldilocks zone which is 8.6 times the size of Earth. The planet is about 120 light years from Earth.

In addition, the planet K2-18b has a lot of methane and carbon dioxide in its atmosphere. In addition to these molecules, the lack of the element ammonia is a sign of a hydrogen-rich atmosphere around the sea.

The Beginning of the Discovery of Planet K2-18b

Reported by CNN International, the Hubble Space Telescope first spotted evidence of water vapor in the exoplanet’s atmosphere. The discovery was then described in a study in the journal Nature Astronomy in September 2019.

Then in 2023, the Webb Telescope succeeded in detecting infrared light that is invisible to the human eye. Then research was done to find out which elements were displayed in the atmosphere of the planet with this light.

Recent observations show that there is a very special molecule called dimethyl sulfide on the planet K2-18b. On Earth, dimethyl sulfide can be produced by phytoplankton in the sea.

Planet K2-18b Can humans survive?

Even though there are signs like water and being in the habitable zone, this does not mean that planet K2-18b is declared habitable. Further research is still needed to confirm this.

This was said by Nikku Madhusudhan, a professor from Cambridge University. He said more research was needed to confirm the existence of dimethyl sulfide.

“Further research is needed to confirm the existence of dimethyl sulfide,” said Nikku, lead author of a new scientific paper describing his findings that has been accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal Letters.

Nikku said that although scientists have confirmed the existence of these chemical compounds, this does not guarantee the existence of life forms. However, recent evidence is expanding scientists’ understanding of exoplanets similar to K2-18b.

It could be a hot planet covered by an ocean

Based on the findings in its atmosphere, researchers speculate that planet K2-18b may be a Hycean planet, which is a type of planet that is hot and covered in oceans with a hydrogen-rich atmosphere. .

Researchers are still not sure that Hycean planets can support life. You see, a study in the journal The Astrophysical says that there is a potentially devastating greenhouse effect.

According to NASA, until now there is no planet like K2-18b in the solar system, so this has raised doubts among scientists. However, researchers will continue to try to unravel the mystery of the water-bearing planet K2-18b.

“Our ultimate goal is to identify life on habitable exoplanets, which will change our understanding of the universe,” said Madhusudhan.

“Our findings are a promising step towards a deeper understanding of the Hycean planets,” he concluded.

The plan is for researchers to continue using the James Webb telescope to study planets far from Earth. They will also try to further confirm new findings about habitable planets.

Hence the debate about the planet K2-18b which is believed to be water. Hope it adds to detikers knowledge.

(ilf/fds)