Water vapour found at planet K2-18b

[Eldorado]

"In a first for astronomers studying worlds beyond our solar system, data from the Hubble Space Telescope have revealed water vapor in the atmosphere of an Earth-size planet.

"Although this exoplanet orbits a star that is smaller than our sun, it falls within what’s known as the star’s habitable zone, the range of orbital distances where it would be warm enough for liquid water to exist on a planet’s surface."

Full monty at Nat Geo: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/2019/09/first-water-found-in-habitable-exoplanets-atmosphere-hubble-kepler-k2-18b/

And at the UK Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/2019/09/11/water-discovered-super-earth-raises-first-real-hope-alien-life/

[zep73]

It's amazing what they can tell from a few photons!

[acute]

It's not water vapour, it's just a bit of condensation on the lens. 

[Stiff]

It's still a loooooong way away though.

[Piney]

51 minutes ago, Stiff said:

It's still a loooooong way away though.

And if the atmosphere is pure water vapor, like all water planets found so far........

......It would crush you like a North Yorkshire Reiver.  

........don't think for one second that I forgot about the "Birmingham Incident". 

Edited September 11, 2019 by Piney
**** Atlantis

[Stiff]

42 minutes ago, Piney said:

It would crush you like a North Yorkshire Reiver.  

East Yorkshire actually 

[+joc]

3 hours ago, sci-nerd said:

It's amazing what they can tell from a few photons!

I know right!?

Both research teams say that the studies make K2-18b an ideal target for follow-up missions, including NASA’s upcoming James Webb Space Telescope and the European Space Agency’s future ARIEL space telescope. Unlike Hubble, these telescopes will be able to see other atmospheric gases, such as methane, ammonia, and carbon dioxide—and potentially even chemical markers for life.

That is so awesome!

[Piney]

23 minutes ago, Stiff said:

East Yorkshire actually 

Northerner my left foot! Your probably a Scouser that moved there. They're the only blokes that would join @acute's Trod.....

.......That and a Brummie lookin for freebies. 

[Piney]

8 minutes ago, joc said:

That is so awesome!

Could be something there. If there are metals maybe even something complex. 

Nothing with tech with that atmosphere though. 

[acute]

3 hours ago, Eldorado said:

Water vapour found at planet K2-18b

says the News

K2-18b?  It's not exactly a catchy name!

We'll have to think of something better to call it, before we go there, trash the place, then leave.

[+joc]

5 hours ago, Piney said:

Could be something there. If there are metals maybe even something complex. 

Nothing with tech with that atmosphere though. 

Nothing with tech...do you mean intelligent life with tech?  Do you think it possible that there is any life there?  With new technology instruments as mentioned in the article that can detect methane, etc. do you think they would be able to detect life if there was?  

[Piney]

1 minute ago, joc said:

Nothing with tech...do you mean intelligent life with tech?  Do you think it possible that there is any life there?  With new technology instruments as mentioned in the article that can detect methane, etc. do you think they would be able to detect life if there was?  

You need just the right amount of oxygen for fire. The chemical reaction needed for technology. As for life there, you have methane, ammonia and CO2 which many lifeforms can use for respiration/energy production. 

Now if they detect atmospheric changes that point to respiration, it might be a sign of life.

As for the metals part, you need them for a functioning circulatory system in higher life forms. Copper, Iron. Zinc, etc.  You also need them for tech and not every planetary system has them.