Astronomers discover potentially habitable exoplanet twice the size of Earth

Astromers have discovered an exoplanet which is significantly larger than Earth but smaller than Neptune and is potentially habitable. According to research published on official website on February 27, a team-based at University of Cambridge used mass, rius, and atmospheric data of exoplanet, 'K2-18b', and determined that re is a possibility for it to host liquid water and habitable conditions beneath its hydrogen-rich atmosphere. 

newfound exoplanet is 124 light-years away, 2.6 times of rius and 8.6 times mass of Earth and it orbits its star within habitable zone, meaning, temperatures could allow liquid water to exist. Back in autumn of 2019, same planet was a matter of media cover but extent of atmosphere underneath remained unkwn. However, Dr Nikku Mhusudhan who led new research at Cambridge's Institute of Astromy said that water vapours have been detected in atmospheres of several exoplanets but that does t imply that re are habitable conditions on surface. 

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Mhusudhan furr elaborated that, in order to establish prospects of habitability, it is important to obtain a unified understanding of wher liquid can exist beneath atmosphere. Furrmore, according to size of K2-18b, researchers have also suggested it would be like a smaller version of Neptune than a larger version of earth and referred to it as “mini-Neptune”. This exoplanet is expected to have a significant hydrogen 'envelope' surrounding layer of high-pressure water with an inner core of rock and iron.

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Thickness of hydrogen envelope

However, main concern of astromers was if hydrogen envelope around mini-Neptune was too-thick or thin eugh to support life. But, w Mhusudhan and his team have confirmed that atmosphere inste, is thin, refore  water layer could have right conditions to support life. Using detailed numerical models and satistical methods to explain data, researchers have determined composition and structure of both exterior and interior. y have also found chemicals like methane and ammonia are at a lower level than expected for its atmosphere. This study has w opened search for habitable conditions and bio-signatures outside solar system to exoplanets. 

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