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Since its launch in 2021, NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has opened up new possibilities for detecting signs of life on exoplanets, planets outside our solar system.
Since its launch in 2021, NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has opened up new possibilities for detecting signs of life on exoplanets, planets outside our solar system.
The main focus of this research is rocky planets orbiting low-mass stars called M-dwarfs, the most common type of stars in the Universe. The closest candidates include TRAPPIST-1, an M dwarf located about 40 light-years away that hosts a planetary system that has become the focus of the search for extraterrestrial life.
Previous studies have raised concerns about the habitability of planets around TRAPPIST-1 and suggested that intense ultraviolet (UV) radiation could destroy surface water on these planets. This desiccation would leave surfaces dry, and if hydrogen in water vapor escaped into space while oxygen remained, it could create an atmosphere rich in reactive oxygen and potentially hinder the chemistry necessary for life to thrive.
However, a new study has been published Nature Communication, It shows that some rocky planets around M dwarfs may have atmospheres that remain stable over time. The study’s lead author, Joshua Krissansen-Totton, is an associate professor in the Department of Earth and Space Sciences at the University of Washington (UW).
“One of the most intriguing questions in exoplanet astronomy right now is: Can rocky planets orbiting M dwarf stars support atmospheres that could support life?”
“Our findings lead to the expectation that some of these planets have atmospheres, which greatly increases the chances of these ordinary planetary systems supporting life,” Krissansen-Totton said. he said.
So far, JWST has observed some hot rocky planets near TRAPPIST-1 and found that they lack a significant atmosphere. But the telescope has not yet been able to fully examine planets in the “Goldilocks zone,” where conditions might allow liquid water to exist, thus increasing the potential for life. The temperature in this area is perfect; It is neither too hot nor too cold, making it the best place for further exploration.
The new study modeled the evolution of a rocky planet from its molten beginnings to its cooling over hundreds of millions of years. The results showed that lighter gases such as hydrogen initially escaped into space, while those farther from their stars retained some hydrogen by reacting with oxygen and iron in their internal environments. This process led to the formation of water and heavier gases, creating a stable atmosphere over time.
Researchers also found that on planets in the Goldilocks zone, water tends to condense and fall from the atmosphere as rain, making it less likely to escape. This increases the likelihood of maintaining a stable climate and liquid water at the surface.
“Hotter planets closer to the star are easier for JWST to observe because they emit more thermal radiation that is not affected by the star’s interference. “We have a pretty clear answer for these planets: They don’t have a thick atmosphere,” Krissansen-Totton said.
“I find this result interesting because it suggests that planets with milder climates may have atmospheres and should be examined carefully with telescopes, especially for their habitability potential.”
Although JWST has not yet confirmed the existence of atmospheres on planets some distance from TRAPPIST-1, such a discovery could indicate the potential for liquid water on the surface and a habitable climate.
“With the telescopes we have now, the James Webb and the extremely large ground-based telescopes that will soon be available, we will be able to observe only a tiny fraction of the atmospheres of planets in the rocky habitable zone – these are the TRAPPIST-1 planets and a few more.” said Krissansen-Totton.
He emphasizes that the study confirms the value of using existing technology to continue investigating the habitability of these planets, rather than waiting for more advanced telescopes in the future.
“Given the huge interest in finding life elsewhere, our result suggests that it is worth taking the time to use the telescope to continue investigating the habitability of these systems with the technology we have.”
The findings provide a more optimistic estimate of the possibility of life on exoplanets orbiting M dwarfs; It suggests that some planets in these systems may have conditions suitable for life, making them compelling targets for current and future astronomical research.
Source: Port Altele
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