Astronomers discover a new planet: A significant step in the search for life in space

12PUNTO FOREIGN NEWS

Astronomers have observed a distant planet that may be entirely covered by a deep-water ocean, with findings that advance the search for habitable conditions beyond Earth.

NASA's James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) observations revealed chemical traces of water vapor, methane, and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere of the planet, which has twice the radius of Earth and is located approximately 70 light-years away. According to researchers from the University of Cambridge, this chemical mixture supports the theory that the entire planet is covered in water. The chemicals observed in the atmosphere could also be a harbinger of never-ending storms on the surface of the newly discovered planet.

Professor Nikku Madhusudhan, who led the research team, stated, "The ocean temperature could be 100 degrees or more. Under high atmospheric pressure, such a hot ocean could still be liquid, but it is unclear whether it would be habitable."

News Source: 12punto