NASA scientists have made an amazing discovery — a planet named K2-18 b, much bigger than Earth that sits in a ‘habitable zone.’
This planet could have the right conditions for life.
Scientists have even found signs in its atmosphere that could only come from living things.
Sounds interesting, right? Let’s know more about what makes this discovery so exciting.
DISCOVER SBX CARS: The global premium car auction platform powered by Supercar Blondie
A new habitable planet discovered by NASA that’s bigger than Earth
The planet K2-18 b is located 124 light-years away from Earth. It is about 2.6 times larger than Earth and has 8.6 times its mass.
This massive planet orbits a small red star called K2-18, in a region where life could potentially exist.
NASA first found K2-18 b in 2009 with the Kepler Space Telescope, but more recent observations by the James Webb Space Telescope revealed even more details.
This latter telescope was also used to discover some objects in Pluto’s orbit.
According to NASA, the planet’s atmosphere contains important gases like methane and carbon dioxide, which are often linked to life.
Scientists think K2-18 b could be a Hycean planet, meaning it might have a thick hydrogen-rich atmosphere and oceans of water on its surface.
One of the most surprising findings is the presence of dimethyl sulfide (DMS). On Earth, this gas is made only by living organisms, mostly tiny marine creatures like phytoplankton.
While these signs are promising, K2-18b’s size raises questions.
K2-18 b could not be perfect to support life
Due to its large size, its interior might have high-pressure ice, or its oceans could be too hot to support life as we know it.
Still, the discovery is a big step in searching for life beyond Earth.
Scientists believe exploring planets like K2-18 b will help us understand more about the universe and our place in it.
Interestingly, scientists also recently found an asteroid so rich in precious metals that it could make everyone on Earth a billionaire.
With discoveries like these, the search for life and resources in space is more thrilling than ever.
The post NASA found a planet bigger than Earth that’s in a ‘habitable zone’ appeared first on Supercar Blondie.