There is only one planet known to support life in the entire galaxy. Although Earth is unique to us, there are countless more planets like it orbiting other stars. It appears plausible that life might develop on other possibly habitable planets given how early in Earth’s history life first appeared. Nevertheless, we’ve discovered that things are a little bit more difficult as we understand more about exoplanets and the evolution of life on Earth.
Image source: Google
A planet that is “possibly habitable” in astronomy simply implies that its orbit places it within a certain range of distances from its star. It is far enough away from us to prevent its water from boiling away and deep enough away from us to prevent its water from deep freezing into an eternal solid. As one might anticipate, Earth is located within the Sun’s habitable zone.
At least seven exoplanets, most likely rocky worlds the size of Earth and smaller, are present around the ultracool star TRAPPIST-1, which is located around 40 light-years from Earth. Not only does the star have the greatest known concentration of Earth-like worlds in a single system, but it also has the greatest hope of planets that might support liquid water on their surfaces.
Three of TRAPPIST-1’s seven planets are ideal candidates for the emergence of life because they are located in the habitable zone, the area surrounding a star where liquid water may form on a planet’s surface. While the three planets closest to the star are heated by its warmth, one globe farther out is likely ice.
Image source: NASA/JPL space exoplanets travel guide
DISCOVERY OF TRAPPIST
BREAKTHROUGH:
In a recent research, a group examined the circumstances on the Trappist planets, accounting for both the heat their star provides and the amount of tidal heating they produce. With moderate solar heating and moderate tidal heating, they discovered that planets d and e appear to be the most hospitable for life. They should be chilly enough to avoid a runaway greenhouse while still being warm enough for liquid water.
JOURNEY HAS JUST BEGAN:
“Why are we searching for Earth-like planets near the solar neighborhood’s tiniest and coldest stars? The explanation is straightforward: With current technology, systems around these tiny stars are the only sites where we may discover life on an exoplanet the size of Earth “In 2016, Gillon stated. “Therefore this is where we should seek first if we want to locate life elsewhere in the universe.”
