Ever wondered if there is life outside earth. Than get ready because we have a big news. Astronomers of the University of Cambridge believe that signs of life beyond the solar system may be detectable within two to three years. If there is life on other planets or beyond the solar system’ This question has always been a matter of research for scientists across the world. The sole aim of NASA’s exoplanet program is also to discover unmistakable signs of life on a planet beyond Earth. However, the University of Cambridge astronomers believe that signs of life beyond the solar system may be detectable within two to three years.
The search of life beyond the planet earth has still remained a big mystery. Astronomers from the University of Cambridge are suggesting that a “mini-Neptune,” which has twice the radius of Earth and is eight times as big could be habitable. And identified the place as Hycean world.
Hycean worlds are classified by exoplanets beyond the solar system which have densities between those of rocky super-Earths and more extended mini-Neptunes. “Hycean planets can be optimal candidates in the search for exoplanetary habitability and may be abundant in the exoplanet population,” researchers said in the paper. The habitable zone of these exoplanets revolves around Sun-like stars, which are more numerous and observable than Earth-like planets. Astronomers have now identified a sizable sample of nearby potential Hycean planets that can be ideal targets for observations in search of exoplanetary biosignatures.
Scientist have discovered a new class of habitable exoplanets. Although it is similar to earth but can life really exist there. The researchers believe that there could be many more in existence like the mini-Neptune, also known as K2-18b. ‘Hyceans are basically water worlds with hydrogen-rich atmospheres,” Dr Nikku Madhusudhan, the lead author of the research, was quoted by The Guardian as saying. He also claimed that within two to three years, there may be the first biosignature detection if these planets host life.
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Cambridge University researcher, said that the small size of Earth-like planets gave impetus to weak atmospheric signatures, which made it difficult to detect signs of life. Writing in the Astrophysical Journal, the team of researchers stated Hycean planets were defined as having a hydrogen-rich atmosphere, more than twice the radius of Earth with average atmospheric temperatures reaching almost 200C. The team said that life may even be possible on the shady side of planets that they referred to as ‘dark Hyceans,’ The Guardian reported. Madhusudhan also observed that life on Hyceans would possibly be aquatic and at the bare minimum, microbial life should be possible like life started on Earth, reported the Guardian.
The possibility of life beyond earth is pretty exciting and thrilling and we are waiting for more further details .
