By Canaan Arinda
In a very groundbreaking discovery, astronomers, using the Hubble Space Telescope, have identified water molecules in the atmosphere of an exoplanet named GJ 9827d, located about 97 light-years away from Earth.
Despite being twice the size of Earth, this blazing-hot exoplanet, with temperatures of up to 800 degrees Fahrenheit, challenges the conventional understanding of water’s role in planetary atmospheres.
Laura Kreidberg, managing director of the atmospheric physics of exoplanets department at the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy, expressed the significance of this discovery, stating, “Water on a planet this small is a landmark discovery.” However, the inhospitable conditions on GJ 9827d make it unlikely to support life.
The study’s lead author, Pierre-Alexis Roy, shared insights into the research, explaining, “Our observing program was designed specifically to detect water vapor in the planet’s atmosphere, opening the door to understanding the origins of planets beyond our solar system.”
This revelation has sparked curiosity among astronomers, prompting further investigation into the mysterious world’s atmosphere. Study co-author Björn Benneke emphasized the importance of this discovery, stating, “This is an important step toward determining the prevalence and diversity of atmospheres on rocky planets.”
The planetary conundrum surrounding GJ 9827d adds intrigue to the findings. NASA’s Kepler mission initially discovered the planet orbiting a red dwarf star in 2017, completing an orbit around its host star every 6.2 days. Astronomers observed the planet during 11 transits, measuring the signature of water molecules in its atmosphere.
Two possible theories about the planet’s composition have emerged. It could be a mini-Neptune with a hydrogen-rich atmosphere that once contained water vapor, or it might resemble a warmer version of Jupiter’s moon Europa, consisting of half water and half rock.
The detection of water on GJ 9827d opens new avenues for future exploration. Thomas Greene, an astrophysicist at NASA’s Ames Research Center, highlighted the potential of the James Webb Space Telescope for further study, stating, “Observing water is a gateway to finding other things.”
The Webb telescope will provide additional infrared observations, shedding light on the composition and formation of the exoplanet.
As the quest for water in space continues, astronomers eagerly await data from the Webb telescope, hoping to unlock more secrets about GJ 9827d and, perhaps, settle the question of water worlds once and for all.
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