NASA found a new planet twice Earth-size with liveable conditions

NASA has found a new huge planet twice Earth-size named K2-18b that emits gas which shows liveable conditions. K2-18b is also known as EPIC 201912552 b.

The newly discovered planet is an actual exoplanet (outside the solar system) 8.6 times larger than Earth. It has roughly 2.6 times more radius than Earth. It is 124 lightyears away from Earth.

NASA describes the orbit of the K2-18b planet orbits around the red dwarf K2-18. They consider it a liveable zone. They found that this planet has carbon-bearing molecules including methane and carbon dioxide.

Before this discovery, NASA launched the James Webb Space Telescope on an Ariane 5 rocket from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana, South America on May 25, 2021.

The discovery expanded upon earlier research that revealed the planet might be a “Hycean exoplanet” or one with the potential to possess a water ocean-covered surface and a hydrogen-rich atmosphere.

According to NASA, these initial James Webb observations also provided a possible detection of a molecule called dimethyl sulfide (DMS). It is a molecule that is closely linked to life on Earth.

Marine life emits this molecule on Earth. It means other life forms exist on K2-18b which also shows the potential of humans settling on that planet.

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But the question arises whether planet K2-18b is liveable for human existence. NASA explains there may be a water ocean underlying a hydrogen-rich atmosphere in K2-18b with an abundance of methane and carbon dioxide and a lack of ammonia. It also offers favorable conditions for humans’ survival on the K2-18b planet.

However, NASA states that the planet’s size may also be a clue that life forms cannot survive there because of its large mantle of high-pressure ice inside the planet’s body. They also said that water-ocean may be too hot to be liveable.

Hence, a new planet K-2 18b, twice Earth-size, which NASA found shows some favorable living conditions for humans and other life forms. However, it still needs more scientific research and validation for conclusive evidence.