Carbon Dioxide and Methane Discovered on Planet K2-18b

The James Webb Space Telescope discovered that there is carbon dioxide and methane on the exoplanet called K2-18b, which is thought to be “habitable”. This discovery brought to mind the possibility that the planet may host giant oceans.

It has been in Earth orbit since January 2022 and has been providing striking data about the depths of space since then. James Webb Space Telescope, has made a discovery that will once again hit the agenda like a bombshell. The telescope, which managed to make brand new detections about the exoplanet named K2-18b, which was first discovered in 2015, has made space scientists K2-18b It enabled them to reach important conclusions regarding the

K2-18b, located about 120 light-years away, existed long beforehabitable planetIt was categorized as “”. The latest study by the James Webb Space Telescope found that the atmosphere of this planet contains carbon. methane gas and carbon dioxide molecules revealed that there was. Experts say that the latest discovery supports the idea that there may be a giant ocean under the atmosphere of K2-18b. If this is truly the case, K2-18b will begin to be known as a planet covered with large oceans, just like Earth.

There’s more!

Methane and carbon dioxide are not the only discoveries of the James Webb Space Telescope regarding K2-18b. Telescope on exoplanet dimethyl sulfide He found that it could be a component. However, this cannot be confirmed at this time. If dimethyl sulfide is detected as a result of the studies, this time there will be a brand new development regarding K2-18b. Mostly in oceans on Earth spread by phytoplankton The component will reveal proof that there is, in fact, some form of life on K2-18b.

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From the world 8.6 times larger K2-18b is not as massive as Neptune. There is no similar situation in the Solar System. Although the exoplanet, described as a new Earth for astronomers, creates excitement even with this definition, there is a significant problem. NASA says it’s too early to get excited because the oceans on this exoplanet It may be too hot to live states that there is a possibility. Ongoing studies will allow us to get to know K2-18b more closely.

Source :
https://www.nasa.gov/goddard/2023/webb-discovers-methane-carbon-dioxide-in-atmosphere-of-k2-18b


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