We get excited when we detect water on another world, which so far hasn’t happened often. But this study shows that the presence of water, though tantalizing and worth pursuing scientifically, guarantees nothing.
Accounting for the buildup of toxic gases predicted to occur in the atmospheres of most planets narrows the habitable zone for complex life by half and, in some cases, rules it out altogether, the study concludes.
Hopes for finding life on four rocky exoplanets relatively close to Earth have been boosted by new modelling that shows biological systems could survive the intense and prolonged bursts of X-ray and UV radiation.
A research into how life evolved on Earth has shown that water alone does not guarantee life – nor does the presence of oxygen gas. And that two other major biosignatures, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide could be needed.
Barnard b or GJ 699 b – might have microbes or other simple life in its environment as long as there is a lot of thermal activity within the planet itself. This would theoretically provide enough energy for life to survive.
A new NASA-led study shows that Proxima b could support the existence of an ocean on its dayside, which means it could still be habitable.
Of the thousands of known exoplanets, Kepler-452b has the most ideal combination of UV light exposure and conditions for liquid water.
Scientists have shown that water is likely to be a major component of those exoplanets which are between two to four times the size of Earth. It will have implications for the search of life in our Galaxy.
Scientists have been hard at work trying to determine the densities of the TRAPPIST-1 planets, and it looks like water is abundant in the TRAPPIST system.
It’s been less than a year since astronomers detected TRAPPIST-1, a remarkable star system located 39 light years from Earth. New research suggests life could take root on at least two of these planet.
Astronomer from Puerto Rico has put together a Periodic Table of Exoplanets, where each of the 3,700 confirmed exoplanets is slotted into its own discrete category—including planets that could harbor life.
A new study has indicated that the Gliese 832 system (located just 16 light-years away) may have a third exoplanet.
A new scientific model studies whether liquid water can be maintained on planets in various conditions, and could be used to confirm the presence of vegetation on faraway worlds.
An astrophysics researcher has identified the possible compositions of the seven planets in the TRAPPIST-1 system. TRAPPIST-1e may be the best candidate for future habitability studies.
The study of alien worlds is entering its next phase as astronomers amass the best planets outside our Solar System to look for signs of life. A newly discovered “super-Earth” has catapulted itself to the top of that list.
