What we know about the “planet – ocean” discovered by scientists 100 light years from Earth

At a distance of 100 light years from Earth, there will be an exoplanet, i.e. a planet orbiting a star other than the Sun, completely covered with water. Anyway, this is what researchers from the University of Montreal discovered and published their study inAstrophysical Journal September.

What is an ocean planet?

The exoplanet TOI-1452 b is located in the constellation Dragon “at a distance from its star which allows it to maintain its temperature Neither too hot nor too cold So that there is liquid water on its surface ”, explains the Institute for Research on Exoplanets at A communication Posted on August 24.

“Planet-ocean” is a superterrestrial planet, that is, a planet whose mass is located between the mass of the Earth and a giant planet, completely covered by a thick layer of water. Therefore, although Earth is called the “blue planet”, there can be worlds where water is more abundant.

Some of the observed planets, whose radius and mass scientists know, have a density that can only be explained if they are made of lighter materials, such as water. These worlds, for now, are virtual worlds.

One of the best candidates for the title of ‘Planet Ocean’

“TOI-1452 b is one of the best candidates for the title of ‘ocean planet’ that we know,” notes Charles Cadeaux, a doctoral student from the University of Montreal and a member of the Exoplanet Research Institute who conducted the study. The radius and mass of the planet indicate a density lower than The expected value of a planet, such as Earth, will consist mainly of minerals and rocks.The University of Montreal has published a video on the representation of this exoplanet.

The ocean on this planet may be vast and deep. As in some natural satellites of the solar system such as Ganymede and Callisto, the moons of Jupiter, or Titan and Enceladus, the moons of Saturn.

Any scenes with James Webb to come?

According to the statement, this planet is “one of the few known temperate planets with characteristics consistent with those of the water world.” Moreover, it is close enough to Earth to be studied, a part that the James Webb Telescope can see all year round.

Rene Doyon, principal investigator at NIRISS, one of the four science instruments of the James Webb Space Telescope, concludes, “Observations with Webb will be necessary to more accurately determine the nature of TOI-1452 b. As soon as we can, we will require time to observe this exotic planet.”