We live in a vast universe full of celestial bodies that hold mysteries and secrets, and today we’re digging into some fascinating new facts about exoplanet LHS 1140 b, a potential super-Earth brimming with water, ice, and even the potential for life.
The explorers behind this research: University of Montrealstumbled upon this intriguing discovery, casting doubt on previous assumptions that this exoplanet is a mini-Neptune.
LHS 1140 b in the “Goldilocks” zone
When first discovered, it was speculated to be a mini-Neptune, but new analysis has revealed a different picture for LHS 1140 b, an exoplanet located just 48 light-years away in the constellation Cetus.
The discovery suggests that the planet orbits a low-mass red dwarf star and may be one of the most promising exoplanets in its star’s habitable zone, or “Goldilocks zone,” meaning it could have an atmosphere and possibly oceans of liquid water. Can support life.
Why is this exoplanet so fascinating? Because it orbits its star at just the right distance (not too hot, not too cold) for liquid water (and thus life as we know it) to exist.
LHS 1140 b is “Habitable Zone“And it’s one of the closest exoplanets to Earth discovered so far in this important region. A very exciting thought, to say the least.”
The researchers, led by Charles Cadiu, a doctoral student at Mesometonian University’s Trottier Exoplanet Institute,IlexThe research team, led by Professor René Doyon, reported that LHS 1140 b is 1.7 times the size of Earth and 5.6 times its mass.
Mystery of LHS 1140 b Revealed
Is LHS 1140 ba a mini-Neptune with a thick hydrogen-rich atmosphere, or a super-Earth with a rocky surface?High Theean World“A hydrogen-rich atmosphere enveloping the entire planet’s oceans?
These were the questions that fascinated a team of astronomers who were using the James Webb Space Telescope.J.W.S.T.) and in December 2023, it was awarded “Director’s Discretionary Time” (DDT) to observe two transits of an exoplanet.
Surprisingly, their findings: Mini Neptune This scenario further strengthens the case that LHS 1140 b may be a super-Earth with a nitrogen-rich atmosphere.
If further corroborated, LHS 1140 b could be the first temperate planet to show evidence of a secondary atmosphere that formed after the planet’s initial formation.
Snowballs, ice, liquid water
Based on their analysis, the researchers believe that LHS 1140 b may be made up of 10 to 20 percent water, which is Water WorldIt’s probably a snowball or ice planet that could have a liquid ocean at a point just below the star.
This region is the area of the planet’s surface that always faces the system’s host star due to the planet’s expected synchronous rotation (like Earth’s Moon).
So what does this all mean? Cadiu, lead author of the new study, put it nicely: “Of all currently known temperate exoplanets, LHS 1140 b may be our best option for indirectly confirming the existence of liquid water on the surface of an alien world outside our solar system in the future.”
Although still preliminary, LHS 1140 b’s nitrogen-rich atmosphere suggests that the planet retains a substantial amount of atmosphere. Supports liquid water.
If this fascinating exoplanet had an Earth-like atmosphere, it would be a snowball planet with a “bull’s-eye” ocean about 4,000 kilometers in diameter and half the surface area of the Atlantic Ocean, and the temperature at its core would probably be a comfortable 20°C.
LHS 1140 b and future habitability studies
Exoplanet LHS 1140 b stands out as an excellent candidate for future habitability studies due to its potential atmosphere and conditions suitable for liquid water.
However, further observations are needed to confirm this and distinguish between the snowball and bullseye ocean planet scenarios.
Webb’s capabilities would be maximized if it could detect an Earth-like atmosphere on a temperate planet, Doyon said.
He argues that “current indications of a nitrogen-rich atmosphere require confirmation from further data. At least another year of observations is needed to confirm that LHS 1140 b has an atmosphere, and probably another two to three years will be needed to detect carbon dioxide.”
The search continues, and in the process, we’re inching closer to answering the age-old question: are we alone in the universe? Only time will tell, but the discovery of LHS 1140 b gives hope to even the fainthearted.
A preprint version of the UdeM study is currently available at arXiv.
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