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There is a planet generating a lot of interest that is just 100 light-years away from Earth.It has been identified by astronomers as TOI-1452 b, and it is not just any exoplanet—all indications point to a 30% water cover. We would be discussing the first ocean planet that science has discovered. You are aware of the significance of water on a planet, aren’t you?
The first ocean planet is a world that is noteworthy not only for the potential presence of water but also because, according to current physics and chemistry theories, liquid water cannot exist where it is positioned (in orbit around a star)!
The unimaginable appears to be true: TOI-1452 questions all of our preconceived notions about exoplanets!It might be our distant cousin, located 100 light-years away from Earth.
The discovery
Its low density, the heating it receives from its star, and its size all work together to create the ideal combination.
According to preliminary investigations, it might consist of layers of ice or liquid water, resembling the moons Ganymede and Enceladus’ hidden oceans. As if that weren’t enough, the James Webb Space Telescope is already getting ready to analyze its atmosphere in an effort to find evidence of life—or at the very least, circumstances that could support life—because of its placement in the constellation Draco.
TOI-1452 b: a super-Earth
Although it is uncomfortable to compare, this planet may actually be our sibling relative (yes, it is older). The mass of TOI-1452 b is around five times that of Earth, and its circumference is 70% larger. According to these figures, it is a super-Earth, a kind of rocky planet that is smaller than gas giants but larger than our own.
Scientists discovered something that didn’t fit with the worlds of rock and metal when they analyzed its density. Was that a bird? A plane? No! Water! Water is the most plausible explanation that scientists have discovered, or at least that is what they think, since its bulk is too light to be composed of metals and rocks.
Too close to have water
The fact that this planet completes its orbit in just 11 Earth days, indicating that it is too close to its star to have liquid water, is something that scientists still find hard to accept. However, we mentioned that TOI-1452 b is considerably larger than our planet, but not the red dwarf star it orbits, which is much smaller and colder than our sun. Perhaps this combination is what makes it possible for liquid water to exist on this planet. Isn’t that amazing?
James Webb, I choose you!
Naturally, the focal point of this study will be the James Webb telescope, which is anticipated to analyze the exoplanet’s atmosphere as it passes in front of its star.
This will enable the identification of the planet’s primary gases, such as hydrogen or water vapor, but if biosignatures are discovered, scientists even think they may be able to identify organic substances. Are we seeing the beginning of the search for extraterrestrial life?
Why call it a water world ?
Because, even though its water content hasn’t been determined yet, we can state that TOI-1452 b is becoming the planet that most closely resembles Earth in terms of features (and not only that, but also the first one that science dares to confirm could have water).
Naturally, understanding the formation of planetary systems is the aim, but what about the potential for extraterrestrial life? Although they might not be as antagonistic as humans, it could very well support life in a manner similar to that which exists on Earth.
The most notable aspect of this discovery is undoubtedly that we may have underestimated the number of habitable worlds in our galaxy if a planet so near its star can have such a significant amount of water!
