Key Takeaways
- Scientists have found a new type of alien planet named GJ 1214b, a steamy ‘waterworld’ larger than Earth but smaller than Uranus.
- GJ 1214b is classified as a “super-Earth” and stands out due to its watery atmosphere, composed mostly of water.
- The planet’s density suggests a higher water content and less rocky material, leading to the possibility of exotic substances within its interior.
- GJ 1214b likely formed farther from its star, where water ice was abundant, and then migrated to its current location.
- The James Webb Space Telescope, set to launch in 2018, offers the potential for more comprehensive studies of GJ 1214b’s atmosphere and characteristics.
Scientists have made an exciting discovery in the vast expanse of the cosmos — a new type of alien planet that challenges our understanding of celestial bodies. This newfound world, known as GJ 1214b, lies within the constellation Ophiuchus, approximately 40 light-years away from Earth. It falls into a unique category of exoplanets that are larger than our home planet but smaller than Uranus. What sets GJ 1214b apart is its classification as a “super-Earth,” with a diameter about 2.7 times that of Earth and a mass nearly seven times greater. This exotic waterworld is wrapped in a dense, steamy atmosphere, making it unlike any planet known to us.
Astronomers have been actively seeking exoplanets beyond our solar system and have discovered over 700 of them to date, with thousands more awaiting confirmation. The diversity among these alien worlds is astonishing, ranging from lightweight, airy planets to dense, heavy ones. Some even orbit binary stars, reminiscent of Tatooine from the “Star Wars” films. However, GJ 1214b’s combination of size, mass, and watery atmosphere presents a fascinating addition to this diverse collection.
GJ 1214b’s atmosphere is predominantly composed of water, making up a substantial portion of its mass. This finding was initially proposed in 2010 but was recently reinforced by new observations using NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope. The telescope’s Wide Field Camera 3 helped scientists conclusively identify the planet’s watery composition by analyzing the starlight filtered through its atmosphere during a transit in front of its host star.
The unique properties of GJ 1214b extend to its density, which is only about 2 grams per cubic centimeter. By comparison, Earth’s density is 5.5 g/cc, and pure water’s density is 1 g/cc. This suggests that GJ 1214b contains a significantly higher water content and less rocky material, leading to the possibility of exotic substances within its interior, such as “hot ice” or “superfluid water.” The planet likely formed in a distant region from its star where water ice was abundant and later migrated to its current location, potentially experiencing more Earth-like conditions at some point.
Given its proximity to Earth, GJ 1214b represents an enticing target for future scientific investigations. Astronomers are eagerly anticipating the launch of NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, expected in 2018, which promises to provide an even more detailed glimpse into this intriguing steamy ‘waterworld.’
Read full article on Space.com
