All posts tagged: Exoplanet

New Study Challenges Signs of Life on Exoplanet K2-18b

New Study Challenges Signs of Life on Exoplanet K2-18b

Published by Webster

Expectations were high at the start of this month when a group of University of Cambridge astronomers reported they had found the “strongest evidence yet” of life on an exoplanet called K2-18b. Their assertions sprang from the detection of dimethyl sulphide (DMS), a gas linked to biological activity in the atmosphere of Earth. Conducted using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), the finding suggested that the planet may be a watery, habitable world. But a detailed examination of the facts now begs grave doubt about the veracity of their bold assertions. Skepticism Grows Over K2-18b Life Claims Amid New Analysis and Calls for More Data As per a  study posted on April 22, Jake Taylor of the University of Oxford applied a neutral statistical test that detected no clear molecular signatures in the JWST data, just a flat line. The studies suggest the signal is either noisy or too weak to provide strong conclusions. The first Cambridge-led study revealed a three-sigma DMS detection much below the five-sigma threshold usually required to prove major scientific discoveries. …

Signs of Alien Life Detected on Nearby Exoplanet Using NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope

Signs of Alien Life Detected on Nearby Exoplanet Using NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope

Published by Webster

Scientists discovered suitable biosignature gases for alien life on planet K2-18b. On K2-18b, NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) noticed dimethyl sulfide (DMS), a chemical primarily produced by living creatures on Earth. Notably, the exoplanet is nine times the size of our planet and exists in the habitable zone of its planetary system. As exoplanets pass in front of their home stars, the team probes planetary atmospheres using JWST’s Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI). Based on its size and other properties, astronomers think K2-18b is a “Hycean” world—that is, one with a large liquid-water ocean and a hydrogen-rich atmosphere. Although the researchers estimate concentrations of more than 10 parts per million by volume on Earth, they are less than one part per billion. However, further research is required to confirm and expand on their findings. NASA’s Webb Telescope Finds Possible Life Signs on Exoplanet K2-18b According to a new study, which was published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, chemical proof of life on the far-off exoplanet K2-18b has come from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope. Rare on …

Indian-born scientist leads breakthrough, signs of life detected on distant exoplanet K2-18b | World News

Indian-born scientist leads breakthrough, signs of life detected on distant exoplanet K2-18b | World News

Published by Parlour News

Scientists have detected potential signs of life in the atmosphere of a distant exoplanet, K2-18b, located more than 120 light-years from Earth. The discovery was made by a team led by Indian-origin astrophysicist Dr. Nikku Madhusudhan, a professor at the University of Cambridge. Using NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), the team found compelling evidence of carbon-bearing molecules — including methane and carbon dioxide — in the planet’s atmosphere. “This is the strongest evidence yet there is possibly life out there. I can realistically say that we can confirm this signal within one to two years,” said Madhusudhan, as per BBC. Story continues below this ad What is K2-18b? K2-18b is an exoplanet — a planet outside our solar system — that orbits the cool red dwarf star K2-18, located in the Leo constellation. The planet lies within the habitable zone of its star, a region where temperatures may allow liquid water to exist. Around 2.6 times the size of Earth and 8.6 times its mass, K2-18b is considered a sub-Neptune — a category of …

Scientists Discover New Sub-Neptune Exoplanet Using Radial Velocity Detection Technique

Scientists Discover New Sub-Neptune Exoplanet Using Radial Velocity Detection Technique

Published by Webster

A new exoplanet has been recently discovered which is reportedly orbiting a nearby star, GI 410. The discovery has been made by a team of international astronomers. The discovery was made as a result of the radial velocity (RV) method. The discovery was made on April 4th, and the planet has been classified as a sub-Neptune exoplanet that comprises a mass of approximately 8.4 Earth masses. Notably, a sub-Neptune is a type of exoplanet that is larger than Earth but smaller than Neptune. What is the Radial Velocity Method This technique or method is widely used by astronomers to detect exoplanets. Also known as the RV method, the process here identifies the variations in the velocity of a central star, which has planets orbiting it. The reason behind the variations is caused by a change of direction of the gravitational pull exerted by an exoplanet while orbiting the star. Astronomers have been able to detect over 600 exoplanets”, highlighting the success rate of the novel technique. The details about the discovery were documented in a …

Astronomers Discover Water and Carbon Dioxide in WASP-166 b’s Atmosphere

Astronomers Discover Water and Carbon Dioxide in WASP-166 b’s Atmosphere

Published by Webster

Astronomers have analysed the atmosphere of WASP-166 b, a hot super-Neptune exoplanet, revealing the presence of water and carbon dioxide. Using data from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), the observations also detected ammonia in smaller quantities. WASP-166 b is situated approximately 368 light-years away and is about seven times larger and 32 times heavier than Earth. The planet, orbiting its host star every 5.44 days at a distance of 0.067 AU, has an estimated equilibrium temperature of 1,270 K, placing it within the hot Neptune desert. Findings from JWST Observations As reported by phys.org, the JWST employed its Near Infrared Imager and Slitless Spectrograph (NIRISS) and Near Infrared Camera (NIRCam) to study WASP-166 b’s atmosphere. These observations highlighted water and carbon dioxide as dominant elements in the spectrum, alongside weak traces of ammonia and cloud deck pressure. Helium and hydrogen, in a primordial solar ratio, are believed to compose the remaining atmosphere. Searches for compounds like carbon monoxide yielded no significant results. Characteristics of WASP-166 and Its Planet WASP-166, the host star of this …

New Study Challenges Planet Formation Models with PDS 70b’s Chemical Mystery

New Study Challenges Planet Formation Models with PDS 70b’s Chemical Mystery

Published by Webster

New research on PDS 70b, a forming exoplanet located approximately 400 light-years away in the constellation Centaurus, suggests that prevailing models of planet formation may require revision. According to a study published in Astrophysical Journal Letters, astronomers found a mismatch between the chemical composition of the planet’s atmosphere and the surrounding protoplanetary disk from which it emerged. The discovery has led researchers to reconsider established theories regarding how planets accumulate their mass and elements during formation. PDS 70b’s Unique Characteristics The planet, part of a two-planet system, is nearly three times the size of Jupiter and orbits its host star at a distance comparable to Uranus’ position in the solar system. Researchers believe PDS 70b has been gathering material for around 5 million years and may be nearing the end of its formation phase. Using the Keck II telescope in Hawaii, scientists examined its atmosphere for carbon monoxide and water, which provided insights into its carbon and oxygen levels—key indicators of planetary origins. Discrepancy in Chemical Composition Findings revealed that the planet’s atmosphere contains significantly …

Youngest Exoplanet Ever Discovered Orbiting Around a Growing Protostar 520 Light-Years Away

Youngest Exoplanet Ever Discovered Orbiting Around a Growing Protostar 520 Light-Years Away

Published by Webster

A gas giant exoplanet, estimated to be just 3 million years old, has been identified by researchers as one of the youngest planets ever observed. The planet, named TIDYE-1b, orbits a protostar located in the Taurus molecular cloud approximately 520 light-years from Earth. Scientists have described this discovery as a rare opportunity to examine planetary formation in its earliest stages. The findings, published on November 20 in the journal Nature, highlight the peculiar dynamics of this exoplanet’s environment, including a tilted protoplanetary disk. Details of the Discovery The study reveals that TIDYE-1b is a gas giant with a diameter slightly smaller than Jupiter’s and a mass around 40 percent that of the largest planet in our solar system. The exoplanet orbits its host protostar every 8.8 days, a remarkably close proximity for such a young planet. According to the research team, led by Madyson Barber, a graduate student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, this discovery offers insights into the rapid formation of gas giants, which contrasts with the slower formation of …

NASA’s Hubble and New Horizons Collaborate for Uranus Observation, Shedding Light on Exoplanet Imaging

NASA’s Hubble and New Horizons Collaborate for Uranus Observation, Shedding Light on Exoplanet Imaging

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NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope and New Horizons spacecraft have joined forces to observe Uranus, a planet known for its mysterious atmosphere. Hubble, from its position in low-Earth orbit, captured detailed images of Uranus‘ atmosphere, including clouds and storms, while New Horizons, located 6.5 billion miles away, observed the planet as a small dot. These combined observations offer astronomers important insights into imaging distant exoplanets around other stars, providing essential context for future missions. A Unique Perspective on Exoplanet Imaging Lead author Samantha Hasler from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, who works with the New Horizons team, explained that the collaboration between these two spacecrafts serves as a test case for observing distant exoplanets. Hubble’s close-up view of Uranus, in combination with New Horizons’ distant observation, helps researchers learn how gas giants similar to Uranus might appear when observed from light-years away. Valuable Insights for Future Missions The observations revealed that Uranus was dimmer than predicted in New Horizons’ data, providing a new understanding of how light is reflected at different angles. This discovery has significant …

Exoplanet Orbiting a White Dwarf Star Gives Researchers Hope That Earth Might Escape Its Eventual Death

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A planetary system anchored by a white dwarf star, located approximately 4,000 light-years away, provides astronomers with insights into what could happen to our Sun and Earth in about 8 billion years. This scenario unfolds if the Earth survives the Sun’s transformation into a red giant, expected to occur in 5 to 6 billion years. During this phase, the Sun will expand, potentially engulfing Mercury, Venus, and possibly Earth before shrinking into a white dwarf. The Potential for Earth’s Survival One scenario for Earth’s survival involves its migration to an orbit similar to Mars or beyond, resulting in a radiation-battered yet frozen world orbiting a burnt-out star, as per a study published in the journal Nature Astronomy. The newly discovered system reveals a white dwarf with half the mass of the Sun and an Earth-sized planet in a wider orbit, showcasing what a surviving Earth might resemble. Keming Zhang, a researcher from the University of California, San Diego, highlighted that there is no consensus on whether Earth could escape being swallowed by the red giant …

Jupiter-Like Exoplanet With Iron Winds and Molten Metal Rain Discovered by Researchers

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Astronomers have discovered that the exoplanet WASP-76b, located about 634 light-years away in the Pisces constellation, experiences extreme weather conditions unlike anything on Earth. With temperatures soaring to around 4,350 degrees Fahrenheit (2,400 degrees Celsius), the planet’s atmosphere is ravaged by high-speed iron winds and molten metal rain. These findings highlight how truly alien the atmospheres of exoplanets can be, especially on “hot Jupiters” like WASP-76b. Unique Atmospheric Phenomena The exoplanet’s close proximity to its star makes it tidally locked, meaning one side of WASP-76b is permanently facing the star. This dayside reaches extreme temperatures that vaporize iron, which is then carried to the planet’s cooler nightside by powerful winds. Once there, the iron condenses and falls as molten metal droplets, creating an intense and hostile environment. The discovery was made by a team of scientists from the University of Geneva (UNIGE) and the PlanetS National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR PlanetS), led by Ana Rita Costa Silva, a doctoral student at the Instituto de Astrofísica e Ciências do Espaço. New Insights into Exoplanetary …