LHS 1140 b Potential Ocean World: Discover the intriguing details about LHS 1140 b, a potential ocean world located 48 light years away from Earth, and the exciting possibilities it holds for habitability.
LHS 1140 b Potential Ocean World
© NASA
Introduction
LHS 1140 b potential ocean world is a fascinating discovery made possible by the James Webb Space Telescope. This planet, located just 48 light years from Earth, could potentially be habitable. Recent research has shed light on the characteristics of LHS 1140 b, suggesting it might be an ocean planet. This discovery was published in the prestigious Astrophysical Journal Letters and has excited the scientific community and space enthusiasts alike.
Discovery and Characteristics
LHS 1140 b Potential Ocean World orbits a small red dwarf star. This star, much smaller and cooler than our Sun, has a radius about 15% of the Sun’s and a temperature around 2,760°C compared to the Sun’s 5,500°C. Despite these differences, this star possesses a habitable zone—a region where conditions could allow liquid water to exist. LHS 1140 b resides within this zone, orbiting the star every 25 days. This close proximity means the planet receives about 42% of the radiation Earth gets from the Sun.
Potential for Liquid Water
The surface temperature of LHS 1140 b Potential Ocean World is estimated to be around -50°C. However, this could be higher if the planet has an atmosphere rich in nitrogen and carbon dioxide or if it is an ocean world with a hydrogen-rich atmosphere. These atmospheric conditions could create the potential for liquid water, increasing the chances of habitability.
Discovery Timeline and Methods
LHS 1140 b Potential Ocean World was initially discovered in 2017 through the MEarth Project, using the transit method. This method detects dimming of a star’s brightness as a planet passes in front of it. Subsequent spectroscopic observations with the HARPS spectrograph confirmed its existence. In 2020, water vapor was detected in its atmosphere by the Hubble Telescope, although this finding awaits further confirmation.
Physical Characteristics
New observations by the James Webb Space Telescope have classified LHS 1140 b Potential Ocean World as a rocky super-Earth rather than a mini-Neptune. The planet is 1.7 times the size of Earth and has 5.6 times its mass.
Water and Atmosphere Composition
Scientists speculate that LHS 1140 b Potential Ocean World could have large amounts of water, possibly constituting 10-20% of its mass—an astounding figure compared to Earth’s oceans, which comprise only about 0.02% of Earth’s mass. There is also evidence of nitrogen in its atmosphere, which is the dominant component of Earth’s atmosphere. The likely atmospheric composition includes nitrogen, water, and carbon dioxide.
Habitability Scenarios
Several scenarios are being considered regarding the presence and form of water on LHS 1140 b Potential Ocean World:
Surface Ice with Liquid Water
The planet might be mostly covered in ice, with liquid oceans exposed in areas receiving the most star radiation. These oceans could be up to 4,000 kilometers in size, about half the size of the Atlantic Ocean.
Subsurface Oceans
Similar to moons like Ganymede, Enceladus, or Europa, LHS 1140 b Potential Ocean World might have liquid water beneath an ice surface.
The System and Other Planets
The LHS 1140 system also contains another planet, LHS 1140 c, which orbits much closer to the star with a 4-day orbital period. This planet has a size comparable to Earth but experiences much higher temperatures, around 150°C, making it less likely to be habitable.
Ongoing Research
Research on LHS 1140 b Potential Ocean World continues, with the latest studies published in June and July 2024. Mario Damiano from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Charles Cadieux from the University of Montreal are among the leading authors exploring the planet’s characteristics and habitability prospects.
Conclusion
The discovery of LHS 1140 b Potential Ocean World and its potential for liquid water significantly enhances our understanding of exoplanets and the search for habitable worlds beyond our solar system. Further observations and studies will hopefully provide more insights into this intriguing planetary neighbor. The possibility of an ocean world so close to Earth opens up exciting opportunities for future exploration and the search for life beyond our planet.
ALSO READ:
UK Public Finances Crisis: 5 Surprising Solutions That Could Turn Everything Around!