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Astronomers Identify Signs That The Planet TRAPPIST-1e, Just 40 Light-Years Away, May Have A Secondary Atmosphere Capable Of Supporting Liquid Water And Life
Astronomers announced that a planet the size of Earth, just 40 light-years away, may have conditions to support life. TRAPPIST-1e, as it is called, orbits its star in the so-called Goldilocks Zone. This is the region where the presence of liquid water is possible, a condition considered essential for life.
Scientists believe that if the planet has a stable atmosphere, its surface may host global oceans. This hypothesis gained strength after new observations made by the James Webb Space Telescope.
The Role Of James Webb
Researchers used the NIRSpec instrument of the JWST to observe the planet during transit, when it passes in front of its star. At that moment, the light passes through the possible atmosphere, allowing the identification of gases through the absorption of certain wavelengths.
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According to Dr. Ryan MacDonald from the University of St Andrews, there are two possible explanations. The more exciting one is that the planet has a secondary atmosphere, rich in heavy gases like nitrogen. This would be essential to ensure thermal stability and keep water in a liquid state.
The TRAPPIST-1 Star
The stellar system consists of a red dwarf, extremely small and cold, classified as an M-dwarf. Its diameter is about 84,000 kilometers, much smaller than the Sun, and its temperature is less than half of the solar temperature.
Among the three planets located in the habitable zone of this star, TRAPPIST-1e is seen as the most promising. With a mass equivalent to 0.692 of Earth, it is slightly smaller than our planet.
Another noteworthy detail is that TRAPPIST-1e completes its orbit in just 6.1 Earth days, as it is at a very short distance from its star, equivalent to 3% of the distance between Earth and the Sun.
Possibility Of Oceans
Even with the proximity, the low temperature of the star increases the chance of liquid water and surface ice existing. Therefore, astronomers believe that the planet may have large oceans, in addition to frozen regions.
The search for an atmosphere, however, has been challenging. Professor Hannah Wakeford from the University of Bristol explains that the amount of light that passes through an Earth-like atmosphere is extremely small. To detect it, very precise measurements are required, identifying minimal variations in the light from the star.
Obstacles In Measurement
TRAPPIST-1 exhibits intense activity, with solar flares and spots created by magnetic fields. This interferes with observations and requires detailed corrections. Still, after a year of analysis, scientists obtained promising results.
The data suggest that the planet may indeed have an atmosphere similar to Earth’s. This reinforces the possibility of liquid water on its surface.
Comparisons Within The System
The discovery comes shortly after another observation with the JWST. Using the same method, astronomers concluded that the planet TRAPPIST-1d does not exhibit common molecules in Earth’s atmosphere. This difference enhances the relevance of the indications found on TRAPPIST-1e.
Furthermore, if an atmosphere exists, it would hardly be the original one. When planets form, they accumulate hydrogen and helium, but the intense activity of the star often disperses these gases quickly.
Secondary Atmosphere
According to researchers, the most likely hypothesis is that TRAPPIST-1e has developed a secondary atmosphere, composed of heavy gases like nitrogen.
This process also occurred on primitive Earth, when volcanic activities and asteroid impacts released large amounts of this element.
A atmosphere of this type could create a greenhouse effect capable of maintaining stable temperatures, even with the planet’s synchronized rotation. In this scenario, one side would always face the star, harboring oceans, while the other could have stretches of ice.
What Has Been Discarded
The new observations also ruled out the hypothesis of a thin atmosphere rich in carbon dioxide, similar to that of Mars or Venus. This reinforces the idea that the planet has not retained its primordial atmosphere, but it still needs to be confirmed whether a secondary one has truly formed.
Despite the progress, scientists emphasize that current data do not allow for a definitive statement on whether the planet could support life. The evidence is encouraging but insufficient for a conclusive determination.
Next Steps
So far, analyses have relied on just four observations from the JWST. In the coming months, researchers will have access to 20 additional observations. This volume should allow for a clear distinction between possible scenarios: a planet without an atmosphere or one with a secondary atmosphere.
Dr. MacDonald highlighted that this is a new era for astronomy because there are now tools capable of searching for habitable conditions beyond the solar system. For him, it is one of the most exciting moments in modern space research.
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