NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope in its study of K2-18 b, an exoplanet, discovered the presence of carbon dioxide and methane.
- This suggests that K2-18b could be a Hycean exoplanet, one which has the potential to possess a hydrogen-rich atmosphere and a water ocean-covered surface.
- K2–18 b is a tantalizing target for astronomers as they search for life beyond the solar system.
- K2–18 b has a radius between two and three times larger than Earth’s and located 120 light-years away from the solar system.
- The new results showed traces of carbon dioxide and methane in K2–18 b’s atmosphere without detecting ammonia, which likely indicates a water ocean under a hydrogen-rich atmosphere.
- In addition to turning up carbon molecules, the JWST findings also showed the possible presence of something potentially more exciting in the atmosphere of K2–18 b.
- The space telescope seems to have detected dimethyl sulfide (DMS), which on Earth is only produced as a by-product of life, mainly created by phytoplankton.
Exoplanets
- Planets that orbit stars, other than our sun, are called exoplanets. Planet K2-18 b is 120 light years from earth and orbits the cool dwarf star K2-18 a.
- All of the planets in our solar system orbit around the Sun. Planets that orbit around other stars are called exoplanets.
- Exoplanets are very hard to see directly with telescopes. They are hidden by the bright glare of the stars they orbit.
- One way to search for exoplanets is to look for “wobbly” stars. A star that has planets doesn’t orbit perfectly around its center. From far away, this off-center orbit makes the star look like it’s wobbling.
