'Exoplanet with water vapours': Hubble Space Telescope detects mysterious world, 97-light years away from Earth
Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Muskan Arora
Water Molecules in Exoplanet
Astronomers, utilizing NASA's Hubble Space Telescope have identified water molecules in the atmosphere of GJ 9827d, a small exoplanet located 97 light-years away from Earth.
Potential Significance of the Discovery
The detection of water on GJ 9827d could signify the first direct evidence, through atmospheric detection, of planets with water-rich atmospheres orbiting stars beyond our solar system.
Image: NASA
Scientific Exploration of Rocky Planets
The research, led by scientists from the Trottier Institute for Research on Exoplanets and the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy, is a significant step in understanding the prevalence and variety of atmospheres on rocky planets.
Water's Role in Habitability
While water is essential for life, the extreme temperatures on GJ 9827d rule out the possibility of hosting life. The discovery, nonetheless, enhances our understanding of water's presence in atmospheres beyond our solar system.
Study Published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters
The findings of the study, detailing the detection of water vapor on GJ 9827d, were published in a report in The Astrophysical Journal Letters on Thursday.
Image: NASA
Challenges in Atmospheric Analysis
However, researchers are facing challenges in determining the nature of GJ 9827d's atmosphere. The planet's searing temperatures could result in a water-rich atmosphere turning into steam. Further exploration is needed to unravel the mysteries of this unique world.
Possible Exoplanetary Configurations
Two scenarios are currently considered for GJ 9827d – it could retain a hydrogen-rich atmosphere laced with water, resembling a mini-Neptune, or it might be a warmer version of Jupiter's moon Europa, potentially featuring a composition of half water and half rock.
Image: NASA