Astronomers find surprising ice world in the habitable zone with JWST data

[Abramelin]

Temperate exoplanet LHS 1140 b may be a world completely covered in ice (left) similar to Jupiter’s moon Europa or be an ice world with a liquid substellar ocean and a cloudy atmosphere (center). LHS 1140 b is 1.7 times the size of our planet Earth (right) and is the most promising habitable zone exoplanet yet in our search for liquid water beyond the Solar System. Credit: B. Gougeon/Université de Montréal

A team of astronomers has identified a temperate exoplanet as a promising super-Earth ice or water world.

The findings, led by Université de Montréal, show that the habitable zone exoplanet, LHS 1140 b, is not likely a mini-Neptune, a small so-called gas giant—large planets composed mostly of gas—with a thick hydrogen-rich atmosphere. The planet, located about 48 light-years away in the constellation Cetus, emerges as one of the most promising habitable zone exoplanet candidates known, potentially harboring an atmosphere and even a liquid water ocean.

https://phys.org/news/2024-07-astronomers-ice-world-habitable-zone.html

[Abramelin]

A planet where life could have evolved.

That is my greatest wish, and I really hope I will be still alive when we finally discover forms of life on another planet orbitting some distant star.

 

[Grim Reaper 6]

13 hours ago, Abramelin said:

A planet where life could have evolved.

That is my greatest wish, and I really hope I will be still alive when we finally discover forms of life on another planet orbitting some distant star.

 

It’s my greatest wish also, I also that I am alive when it happens because in my opinion there is doubt that it will occur!

✌️

[Earl.Of.Trumps]

It's attached to a red dwarf, which, scientists believe make life more likely to be on the planet.than if it was attached to a yellow star (ours)

interesting

[Abramelin]

On 7/10/2024 at 7:51 AM, Grim Reaper 6 said:

It’s my greatest wish also, I also that I am alive when it happens because in my opinion there is doubt that it will occur!

✌️

You doubt that it will happen while we're still alive, but I don't doubt it will happen someday.

If fungi and tardigrades can survive interplanetary and maybe even interstellar space, I simply cannot believe our planet Earth is the only planet where life has evolved.

But yes, I know, I can believe in or be convinced of whatever I want, and still be wrong.

[Grim Reaper 6]

4 hours ago, Abramelin said:

You doubt that it will happen while we're still alive, but I don't doubt it will happen someday.

If fungi and tardigrades can survive interplanetary and maybe even interstellar space, I simply cannot believe our planet Earth is the only planet where life has evolved.

But yes, I know, I can believe in or be convinced of whatever I want, and still be wrong.

I may not have been clear earlier. I firmly believe that life exists throughout the universe, much of it non-intelligent, but I also believe there are numerous intelligent species, some possibly billions of years older than ours. Please accept my apologies if I came across as sarcastic; that was not my intention..

Hope this clears things up!!!!

[Abramelin]

5 hours ago, Grim Reaper 6 said:

I may not have been clear earlier. I firmly believe that life exists throughout the universe, much of it non-intelligent, but I also believe there are numerous intelligent species, some possibly billions of years older than ours. Please accept my apologies if I came across as sarcastic; that was not my intention..

Hope this clears things up!!!!

No apologies needed.

We just have different opinions about what to expect.

[+Hammerclaw]

[Piney]

On 7/10/2024 at 9:26 PM, Earl.Of.Trumps said:

It's attached to a red dwarf, which, scientists believe make life more likely to be on the planet.than if it was attached to a yellow star (ours)

interesting

It's the complete opposite. Most red dwarfs are active and the goldilocks zone is closer so many of the planets around them are getting hit full on with flares. Which would wipe out life. 

[Piney]

On 7/11/2024 at 2:12 PM, Grim Reaper 6 said:

I may not have been clear earlier. I firmly believe that life exists throughout the universe, much of it non-intelligent, but I also believe there are numerous intelligent species, some possibly billions of years older than ours. Please accept my apologies if I came across as sarcastic; that was not my intention..

Hope this clears things up!!!!

They wouldn't be billions of years older because the elements for complex life didn't exist until the population 2 stars went boom and population 1 stars were born. 

The sun is literally a first generation star with the right metals. 

[Antigonos]

1 hour ago, Piney said:

It's the complete opposite. Most red dwarfs are active and the goldilocks zone is closer so many of the planets around them are getting hit full on with flares. Which would wipe out life. 

Which sucks because otherwise their longevity makes them good candidates I should think.

[Antigonos]

1 hour ago, Piney said:

 

The sun is literally a first generation star with the right metals. 

First generation stars are Population 2. 

[Piney]

3 minutes ago, Antigonos said:

Which sucks because otherwise their longevity makes them good candidates I should think.

On top of the fact they are the most common star.

[Piney]

Just now, Antigonos said:

First generation stars are Population 2. 

Population 3 are first generation.

The sun is a first generation population 1.

[Antigonos]

Just now, Piney said:

Population 3 are first generation.

The sun is a first generation population 1.

Ok gotcha. Momentary confusion.

[Piney]

1 minute ago, Antigonos said:

Ok gotcha. Momentary confusion.

Sgr.A* The Milky Way's central black hole was a population 3 star. They were huge and short lived and they seeded the universe with heavier elements.

[fred_mc]

18 hours ago, Piney said:

It's the complete opposite. Most red dwarfs are active and the goldilocks zone is closer so many of the planets around them are getting hit full on with flares. Which would wipe out life. 

From the article:

"Compared to the stars orbited by exoplanets in the TRAPPIST-1 system the star orbited by this exoplanet is relatively calm.

This makes it easier to untangle the effects caused by its atmosphere from the random noise of sunspots and solar flares.

The researchers say this makes it a unique opportunity to study a planet that could potentially support life."