It seems practically every week astronomers discover new exoplanets and other interesting, and often unexpected, things about the universe.While the search of alien life forms is still ongoing, the thousands of planets outside our solar system that we have found holds the promise of other planets like our own.
Just this week, a PhD student associated with the University of Toronto’s Centre for Planetary Sciences and the European Southern Observatory (ESO) discovered a new exoplanet called K2-18b, which could very well be a scaled-up version of Earth.
In order to determine the composition of the planet, the researchers first had to figure out the planet’s mass, using radial velocity measurements taken with the La Silla Observatory’s 3.6m telescope’s HARPS technology.They found that the planet is either a mostly rocky planet with a small gaseous atmosphere (like Earth only bigger) or a mostly water planet with a thick layer of ice covering it.
Additionally, they found the K2-18b has a neighbor planet that is closer to its dwarf star, called K2-18c. While probably too hot to be in the habitable zone, it also appears to be a Super Earth with a mass similar to our planet.
I think we live in a very fortunate time to learn something new about our universe practically every single day, and believe we are truly at the forefront of an era of unprecedented space exploration. I am looking forward to what we discover with the James Webb Telescope and its ability to scan atmospheres of distant exoplanets.
I just hope the 2019 launch isn’t pushed back further, but ultimately, I would be willing to wait if the telescope works as designed. With the rise of privatized space travel, a new era of innovation and competition will also drive missions to other planets and beyond.
Will we find alien life similar to our own out there? It is difficult to know, but Drake’s Equation is a compelling, if not controversial, argument that we will eventually make contact with other life forms beyond our planet. The amusing thing about some of the old science fiction shows is we have largely already exceeded the concepts and inventions that were pure fantasy decades ago. Just imagine what a few more decades of innovation and discovery will bring!
The science geek in me and endless curiosity of my imagination delights in this gradual transition from Sci-fi to reality.
Here’s to hoping the JWT has a successful launch and we find other habitable Earth’s that are close enough to visit one day!
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