Page 1 of 1
NASA identifies 17 planets with possible subsurface oceans, and they could be fit for life
Posted: Wed Dec 20, 2023 7:10 pm
by staarker
- 1.png (253.72 KiB) Viewed 1844 times
A new NASA survey identified 17 exoplanets that may have the right conditions for liquid water oceans hidden beneath icy shells. The planets could be good candidates in the search for alien life.
As far as we know, life needs water.
Due to this simple truth, astronomers and astrobiologists have naturally focused their efforts on identifying exoplanets that might harbor liquid oceans. Water in its liquid form can exist on a planet's surface, where direct heat from its host star can keep the substance from freezing — but it can also exist beneath a planet's surface, where internal sources of heat can sustain flowing, subsurface oceans.
In a new analysis, NASA has revealed that 17 discovered exoplanets could house subsurface oceans buried below thick sheets of ice. These worlds, much like the icy moons of Jupiter, could therefore be promising places to search for biosignatures — chemical signs of life.
https://www.livescience.com/space/exopl ... t-for-life
Re: NASA identifies 17 planets with possible subsurface oceans, and they could be fit for life
Posted: Sat Dec 30, 2023 5:22 pm
by mr_iqman
It would be so nice if the discovery of alien life was the answer to bring all mankind together. Whether foe or enemy, the search for alien life should be a major priority for all nations.
Re: NASA identifies 17 planets with possible subsurface oceans, and they could be fit for life
Posted: Tue Jan 16, 2024 8:40 am
by William_K
staarker wrote: ↑Wed Dec 20, 2023 7:10 pm
1.png
A new NASA survey identified 17 exoplanets that may have the right conditions for liquid water oceans hidden beneath icy shells. The planets could be good candidates in the search for alien life.
As far as we know, life needs water.
Due to this simple truth, astronomers and astrobiologists have naturally focused their efforts on identifying exoplanets that might harbor liquid oceans. Water in its liquid form can exist on a planet's surface, where direct heat from its host star can keep the substance from freezing — but it can also exist beneath a planet's surface, where internal sources of heat can sustain flowing, subsurface oceans.
In a new analysis, NASA has revealed that 17 discovered exoplanets could house subsurface oceans buried below thick sheets of ice. These worlds, much like the icy moons of Jupiter, could therefore be promising places to search for biosignatures — chemical signs of life.
https://www.livescience.com/space/exopl ... t-for-life
This is interesting. Does this make them good candidates for finding alien life? Liquid water is seen as an essential for life. While some planets have surface water from heat of their star, others may have subsurface oceans warmed internally. This makes me just cringe a little. We may have company?