Ocean planets, or Hyceans, represent a new field of research for astronomers who are actively searching for planets capable of supporting life. Researchers are studying the structure of inner worlds to understand how suitable they are for extraterrestrial life.
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In recent years, astronomers have been actively searching for planets on which extraterrestrial life could exist. One of the most promising types of such worlds are the Hykeans, or ocean planets. These huge worlds, covered with a layer of liquid water and possessing a dense hydrogen atmosphere, present scientists with unique opportunities to search for life beyond our planet.
In a new study published on the preprint server arXiv, scientists examined in detail the internal structure of Hyceans and assessed their suitability for habitation. Hyceans, also known as super-Earths or mini-Neptunes, are distinguished from the planets of the solar system by their gigantic size and dense atmosphere, which makes them more accessible to observation and analysis.
Scientists have used modeling to reveal the different structures of the Hyceans’ interior, focusing on conditions suitable for life. The study showed that these worlds have diverse internal structures, their oceans can be tens to thousands of kilometers deep, which is several times greater than the average depth of oceans on Earth.
An important factor that limits the habitability of Hyceans is the presence of a thick layer of ice between the ocean and the rocky core. Unlike on Earth, where weathering of the seafloor produces nutrients, ice on the Hyceans can hinder this process. However, it is possible that nutrients could move through the ice by convection or be delivered from space by asteroids and comets.
The study identified three candidate planets that could be habitable Hyceans: TOI-270 d, TOI-1468c and TOI-732c. Although they orbit red dwarfs known for their flares, their host stars behave quietly, making them potentially habitable.
Scientists plan to use the Webb Space Telescope to study these worlds in more detail and search for possible signs of extraterrestrial life.
Earlier, Cursor wrote that scientists described how unique space formations appear.
