A simulation of the planet.
Source: University of Montreal
For a long time it was only present in films like Interstellar, but now it seems a reality. Scientists believe they have discovered a planet completely covered in liquid water. Scientists have long fancied the existence of this type of planet, which they believe could exist in theory. But for a long time there was no conclusive evidence of this. So far, it seems.
Planet has more than great features. For example, one year will only last 11 days. The water planet is also, astronomically speaking, not far from Earth at all: it’s 100 light-years away. By comparison, the center of the Milky Way is 26,000 light-years away.
TOI-1452 b, as the planet is called, is “one of the best candidates for being an oceanic planet.” So said chief scientist Charles Kedio from the University of Montreal In a press releaseafter research appeared on this planet last week in Astronomical Journal.
In theory, life could be on a watery planet
Since 2018, scientists from NASA have been searching for planets outside our solar system where life is possible. Scientists are assisted by the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS). By the way, NASA is conducting more research, For example for flying saucers.
With the TESS telescope, NASA aims to screen 200,000 of the brightest stars near the sun for habitable planets. Thousands of planets have already been discovered with it. They come in all shapes and sizes: from rugby ball-shaped planets to planets completely covered in lava.
And now there is a new discovery, the putative water planet TOI-1452 b. And what is remarkable: on this planet, the “year” lasts only 11 days. This is the time it takes a celestial body to revolve around its sun. Also, in theory, life would be possible.
The discovery reminds us of the planet in the movie Interstellar
This discovery reminds us of a scene in the movie Christopher Nolan Interstellar. In this movie (note: spoiler alert), the team of astronauts visit a watery planet with a seemingly endless shallow ocean, until suddenly a huge tidal wave hits them. On this planet, time also moves much faster from a “terrestrial” point of view. Once the astronauts return to Earth, the daughter of protagonist Cooper (played by Matthew McConaughey) is also elderly.
Although more research is needed, it is believed that Newly discovered The planet is 70 percent larger than Earth and five times heavier. Calculations based on assumed density show that the potential ocean on the planet extends much deeper than it is here on Earth.
In addition, the researchers reported that the watery planet is located in a good region of its star. That is, the temperature is moderate. There is no other way, otherwise liquid water will quickly evaporate or freeze. Because of this moderation, life may be possible.
All the manifestations of the discovery of the first ever watery planet
If this is indeed the case, the researchers say, the famous James Webb Telescope should be operational. „It is essential to better understand the planet.” In any case, the advantage is that the planet is in an area that the Webb Telescope can observe all year round.
Researchers are eager to get more information about the water planet. Would this really be the first aquatic world ever discovered? Anyway, it seems so.
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Is it interstellar? Scientists find a real water planet