WATER WORLDS

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Context

• Two exoplanets that may be submerged in water have been discovered by astronomers at the University of Montreal. 

Details

• NASA observed exoplanets Kepler-138c and Kepler-138d with NASA's Hubble and the retired Spitzer space telescopes and discovered that the planets could be composed largely of water.
• The temperature in Kepler-138d's atmosphere is likely above the boiling point of water, and there is a dense atmosphere made of steam on this planet. Only, under that steam atmosphere there could potentially be liquid water at high pressure, or even water in another phase that occurs at high pressures, called a supercritical fluid.
• Further, the researchers also discovered a fourth planet in the Kepler planetary system: Kepler-138 e. The new planet takes 38 days to complete an orbit. It is in the habitable zone, meaning it is located in an orbit that receives just the right amount of heat from its star to allow water to exist in a liquid form.

Final Thought

• The researchers hope to address this knowledge gap and find more water worlds in the future.

https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/science-technology/scientists-detect-two-water-worlds-218-light-years-away-86620