Using the joint NASA/European Space Agency/Canadian Space Agency James Webb Space Telescope, scientists have discovered the presence of carbon-bearing molecules within the atmosphere of exoplanet K2-18 b. Methane and carbon dioxide are among these carbon-bearing molecules. The discovery of the molecules is allowing scientists to better understand K2-18 b. The planet has been the subject of several recent studies and is theorized to be a Hycean exoplanet — a planet that could possibly feature a hydrogen-rich atmosphere and a surface covered by water. What’s more, K2-18 b orbits within the habitable zone of its parent star, which is the region of space surrounding a star where conditions are suitable for the formation and existence of liquid water. Data from NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope first hinted at the unique properties of the exoplanet’s atmosphere, which then led to more teams performing research on the exoplanet. Orbiting the cool dwarf star K2-18 in the constellation Leo, K2-18 b is located approximately 120 light-years away from Earth and is roughly 8.6 times the size of Earth. These types of exoplanets, those that are between the sizes of Earth and Neptune, are not found in our solar system and thus haven’t been studied as…
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Using Webb, scientists discover carbon dioxide and methane in habitable-zone exoplanet
