"Life in space is an exciting idea. Scientists have been trying to find evidence of life in space for over a century but have found no proof of its existence yet."--Mila Boyden, 6th grade
Nikku Madhusdan Life in space is an exciting idea. Scientists have been trying to find evidence of life in space for over a century but have found no proof of its existence yet. The planets that could have life on them are very limited because of our idea of what a habitable planet is. Scientists in the past have thought that a habitable climate is one like Earth’s, rocky, has water, and air to breath, and has enough sun light and heat to keep in oxygen. Now scientists are starting to question this theory. Could the meaning of a habitable planet be different then they thought?
A recent discovery may lead to a whole new range of planets that people can search for life. According to Science News and Science Focus, Astrophysicist Nikku Madhusudhan of the University of Cambridge and Astronomer Noah Tuchow of Penn State University think that they should broaden their search for habitable planets and see if they are overlooking anything. They think that scientists would be missing many opportunities to find life outside of Earth, if they didn’t broaden their range of planets to look for life on.
Dr. Madhusudhan thinks that a new category or planets that could possibly be habitable exists with no starlight or heat. These planets would have a worldwide liquid-water ocean under a deep hydrogen-rich atmosphere that could support life. Dr. Madhusudhan named them Hycean planets which are the words hydrogen and ocean blended together. These planets could be up to 2.6 times the size of Earth and up to 10 times as massive, Dr. Madhusudhan and his team say. The planet's thick atmosphere could be enough to keep a good temperature on the planet for liquid water even though it may have a small amount of sun.
“Biosignature detection would transform our understanding of life in the universe, we need to be open about where we expect to find life and what form that life could take, as nature continues to surprise us in often unimaginable ways,” said Dr. Madhusudhan according to Quotes.Net.
“Hunting for Hycean planets could lead to us discovering biosignatures of life outside our Solar System within the next two or three years,” said Dr. Madhusudhan with agreement from his co-workers.
“A biosignature detection would transform our understanding of life in the universe,” Dr. Madhusudhan said. “We need to be open about where we expect to find life and what form that life could take, as nature continues to surprise us in often unimaginable ways.”
This discovery rapidly speeds up the process of finding alien life. Scientists think that there is a possibility that they may find life on another planet in the next two-three years.
A recent discovery may lead to a whole new range of planets that people can search for life. According to Science News and Science Focus, Astrophysicist Nikku Madhusudhan of the University of Cambridge and Astronomer Noah Tuchow of Penn State University think that they should broaden their search for habitable planets and see if they are overlooking anything. They think that scientists would be missing many opportunities to find life outside of Earth, if they didn’t broaden their range of planets to look for life on.
Dr. Madhusudhan thinks that a new category or planets that could possibly be habitable exists with no starlight or heat. These planets would have a worldwide liquid-water ocean under a deep hydrogen-rich atmosphere that could support life. Dr. Madhusudhan named them Hycean planets which are the words hydrogen and ocean blended together. These planets could be up to 2.6 times the size of Earth and up to 10 times as massive, Dr. Madhusudhan and his team say. The planet's thick atmosphere could be enough to keep a good temperature on the planet for liquid water even though it may have a small amount of sun.
“Biosignature detection would transform our understanding of life in the universe, we need to be open about where we expect to find life and what form that life could take, as nature continues to surprise us in often unimaginable ways,” said Dr. Madhusudhan according to Quotes.Net.
“Hunting for Hycean planets could lead to us discovering biosignatures of life outside our Solar System within the next two or three years,” said Dr. Madhusudhan with agreement from his co-workers.
“A biosignature detection would transform our understanding of life in the universe,” Dr. Madhusudhan said. “We need to be open about where we expect to find life and what form that life could take, as nature continues to surprise us in often unimaginable ways.”
This discovery rapidly speeds up the process of finding alien life. Scientists think that there is a possibility that they may find life on another planet in the next two-three years.
