Detection of a possible “ocean planet” 100 light-years from Earth

Thus, it is completely covered with a thick layer of water. If we know that liquid water is necessary for the development of life, it is too early to comment on the possible presence of life on this exoplanet.

TOI-1452 b is an exoplanet in orbit around one of the two stars of a binary system located in Dragon Constellation, 100 light-years from Earth. Researchers from the University of Montreal noted that it could be the so-called “ocean planet”. Thus it will be completely covered by a thick layer of water, according to the first information from a A study published in the Astrophysical Journal.

Suggests Institute for Research on Exoplanets In a press release.

Giant and deep ocean

If Earth is often called the “blue planet”, because oceans cover 70% of its surface, then it is a particularly dry planet. In fact, water contains only 1% of its mass. Conversely, in the case of TOI-1452 b, research shows that it consists largely of something less dense than rock, but denser than gas: a sign of ocean potential. In fact, the fraction of liquid water mass on an exoplanet can reach 30%.

“TOI-1452 b is one of the best candidates for the ocean planet we’ve discovered so far,” rejoices Charles Cadeaux, a doctoral student in astrophysics from the University of Montreal.

He continues: “Its radius and mass indicate a density much lower than one might expect for a planet made up mostly of metal and rock, like Earth.”

Thus it will be gigantic and above all the depths of the oceans. Therefore, TOI-1452 b will be somewhat similar to some of the natural satellites of the solar system such as Ganymede and Callisto, moons of Jupiter, or Titan and Enceladus, moons of Saturn.

life signs?

Could there be life on this planet? “It’s too early to answer this question, but we know that liquid water is essential for the evolution of life,” answers René Doyon, director of the Institute for Research on Exoplanets, in the Journal de Montreal.

Now, more in-depth observations are needed. TOI-1452 b is a primary target of NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope. René Doyon concludes that “Observations using Webb will be necessary to more accurately determine the nature of TOI-1452. As soon as possible, we will require time to observe this exotic planet.”