Are you curious, what life looks like outside of the earth? According to a report in the US "Sciencealert", the answer to this question may lie on the planet K2-18b, which is 110 light-years away from us.
K2-18b: Super-Earth that may have life
If you have watched " Interstellar Transition", you may have an impression of the planet "Miller Planet" which contains all the oceans. This planet was once considered to be the most likely to be suitable for human migration, but it is covered with endless sea water.
However, we all know that if there is abundant liquid water on a planet, then this makes this planet meet a necessary condition for the existence of life, then, planet K2-18b, how likely is the existence of life? ?
This planet K2-18b, called super-Earth, was discovered by astronomers in 2015. It is a planet orbiting the red dwarf star of . Its mass is about the same as that of the earth. 8 times, the size is about 2 times the size of the earth.
Of course, these are not the key points. Through years of observations, scientists are really pleased that K2-18b not only has a thick atmosphere, but also contains water vapor in its atmosphere. In addition, through analysis, the surface temperature of K2-18b planet is also very habitable.
In this way, it also satisfies other living planet conditions: an atmosphere that can block radiation from space, abundant liquid water, and suitable temperature, because researchers believe that oxygen is not a necessary condition for life. It is possible that life on the earth breathes oxygen, but life on other planets is not like this. Therefore, it can be said that planet K2-18b is completely a potential life planet.
What does the K2-18b planet look like?
planet K2-18b,It revolves around a small red dwarf star, but it is very lucky, because in general, red dwarfs are very easy to release super-strong flares, but the red dwarf stars that orbit the planet K2-18b, However, it has to be much more "mild". It does not frequently release super-strength flares , which also gives more opportunities for life to be born on planet K2-18b.
Researchers said that at present, the atmospheric structure of planet K2-18b is mainly composed of hydrogen and helium. Its surface temperature is between minus 73 degrees Celsius and minus 66 degrees Celsius. Of course, this In terms of taking the highest value and the lowest value respectively, relatively speaking, the temperature situation of the earth is not very different.
Like the "Miller planet" we mentioned above, the researchers believe that the surface of the planet K2-18b is also covered with abundant liquid water, which makes it a habitable "ocean planet". "Therefore, in the ocean world of planet K2-18b, it is very likely that there will be some life forms similar to the earth's marine life.
How to confirm the existence of life on planet K2-18b?
Of course, it is not easy to confirm the existence of life on planet K2-18b. Although its situation is very optimistic at present, it still needs further observations. For example, if one day, scientists can In the atmosphere of planet K2-18b, compounds related to life have been detected, such as methyl chloride, dimethyl sulfide, and even the presence of ozone and oxygen. These can be used as evidence.
To put it simply, we need to find "life symbols" on the planet K2-18b. Only by finding the traces of life, can we confirm that on this planet 110 light-years away from the earth, yes There really is life.
However, according to the evolution of life on Earth, the evolution of marine life is limited. Therefore, even if there is life on planet K2-18b,The possibility of the birth of intelligent creatures is also not great. Therefore, while humans are observing the planet K2-18b, the possibility of being observed by the civilization on the planet K2-18b is also almost zero.
In addition to the planet K2-18b, around the red dwarf orbiting it, the researchers found that there seem to be other planets. Currently in the candidate stage, they are considered to be about 6 times the mass of the Earth. The planet K2-18c, which has a closer star and has an orbiting period of about 9 days, has not been 100% confirmed yet, and it may not exist. Of course, even if it does exist, planet K2-18c may not exist. life.
In addition to planet K2-18b, scientists have also targeted several other similar exoplanets. These planets, like planet K2-18b, have detected the presence of water vapor in the atmosphere. They They are HD 209458 b, which is 150 light-years away from the earth, WASP-12b, which is about 900 light-years away, and WASP-17b, which is about 1,500 light-years away.
However, in terms of overall conditions, it is not as reliable as planet K2-18b. At present, NASA also plans to launch a more powerful space telescope -ARIEL after launching the James Webb Space Telescope in 2028, so as to help me better understand the planet K2-18b. .
After all, it is too far away, and we simply cannot reach it in person for investigation. Before humans are capable, we can only use space telescopes to help us get more answers.
.
