Regardless of whether or not K2-18 b does harbor alien lifeforms, the results of the new study further highlight that Hycean worlds may be ideal places to look for extraterrestrial life. Related: Humans will never live on an exoplanet, Nobel Laureate says It is also possible that some unknown geological process could produce the chemical instead of biological life, they added. But the biggest surprise was yet to come. In this case, the planet is not thought to be habitable. The Kepler telescope launched into orbit in March 2009, initiating NASAs first mission to discover Earth-size planets orbiting Sun-like stars. Tatooine is the name of Luke Skywalker's home world in the science fiction movie Star Wars. The planet, called Kepler-16b, is the most 'Tatooine-like' planet yet found in our galaxy. However, the evidence of DMS "requires further validation," researchers wrote in a statement. Kepler, with a new lease on life, was given a new mission as K2. NASA's Kepler mission has discovered a world where two suns set over the horizon instead of just one. It is made from sulfur, carbon and hydrogen and is the most abundant organic form of sulfur in Earth's atmosphere, which makes it one of the key biosignatures, or signs of biological life, on our planet. Researchers also detected what they believe are traces of dimethyl sulfide (DMS), a foul-smelling chemical that is only known to be produced by microscopic life in Earth's oceans.ĭMS is primarily emitted by phytoplankton, or photosynthetic algae, in Earth's oceans. However, even if K2-18 b does have an ocean, there is no guarantee that it would be suitable for life: It may be too hot to support life or lack the required nutrients and chemicals to spark life. ![]() Hycean worlds are a prime candidate to harbor extraterrestrial life. ![]() (Image credit: Amanda Smith / University of Cambridge) An artist's interpretation of what a hycean planet might look like.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |