In honor of Earth Day 2013 on April 22, this week's article will be all about new developments related to the entire Earth. And what an exciting time this is for that kind of planetary science!
Researchers at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA) announced last week that they had discovered two planets orbiting the K sized star Kepler-62 that could be completely covered in water. Liquid water.
Why is this such a big deal? Normally the temperatures and lack of atmospheres in space prevent water, should it exist at all on that planet, from melting into its liquid form. For there to be any possibility of sustainable life and possible habitation by humans one day, liquid water must be present. And here are two planets who have nothing but oceans full of the liquid orbiting a sun a little bit smaller and cooler than our own sun. Granted, the size and distances of the planets indicate that there is a huge greenhouse effect in their atmospheres to keep the water from freezing, but it's still awesome.
There are some issues with immediate Earth to planet communications though. For one, the planets are larger than the Earth we love; Kepler-62f is 40% larger and Kepler-62e is 60% larger. Researchers are at this point are unable to determine the mass of the planets because their compositions aren't known. This means we don't know if this planet would have any raw materials needed for technology or even life to evolve, since all the rock and metal would be below the surface. It is possible that some life may exist under the ocean's surface, but there would be no fire or access to metals (the pressure would be too great).
Still, the idea that there are two planets in the habitable zone is very useful information for scientists. For one thing, it's the possibility of other life that drives us forward. Second, it could serve as a second home for us (once we get over the increase in gravity thing). Third, studying other planets is just cool. How often have we discovered a planet completely covered in liquid water? Including these two: twice.
Unfortunately, looking at the planets through the Kepler telescope is probably as close as we'll ever get. The planets orbit a start that is 2,700 light years away from us in the Cygnus constellation, so there's no way to get there quickly. If anything this means that we need to take care of the planet we have now because the closest rescue boat is almost 3000 parsecs away, and that's too far for us to be saved. What would Earth look like with only water?
On that note, we wish everyone a happy Earth week!
Researchers at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA) announced last week that they had discovered two planets orbiting the K sized star Kepler-62 that could be completely covered in water. Liquid water.
Why is this such a big deal? Normally the temperatures and lack of atmospheres in space prevent water, should it exist at all on that planet, from melting into its liquid form. For there to be any possibility of sustainable life and possible habitation by humans one day, liquid water must be present. And here are two planets who have nothing but oceans full of the liquid orbiting a sun a little bit smaller and cooler than our own sun. Granted, the size and distances of the planets indicate that there is a huge greenhouse effect in their atmospheres to keep the water from freezing, but it's still awesome.
There are some issues with immediate Earth to planet communications though. For one, the planets are larger than the Earth we love; Kepler-62f is 40% larger and Kepler-62e is 60% larger. Researchers are at this point are unable to determine the mass of the planets because their compositions aren't known. This means we don't know if this planet would have any raw materials needed for technology or even life to evolve, since all the rock and metal would be below the surface. It is possible that some life may exist under the ocean's surface, but there would be no fire or access to metals (the pressure would be too great).
Still, the idea that there are two planets in the habitable zone is very useful information for scientists. For one thing, it's the possibility of other life that drives us forward. Second, it could serve as a second home for us (once we get over the increase in gravity thing). Third, studying other planets is just cool. How often have we discovered a planet completely covered in liquid water? Including these two: twice.
Unfortunately, looking at the planets through the Kepler telescope is probably as close as we'll ever get. The planets orbit a start that is 2,700 light years away from us in the Cygnus constellation, so there's no way to get there quickly. If anything this means that we need to take care of the planet we have now because the closest rescue boat is almost 3000 parsecs away, and that's too far for us to be saved. What would Earth look like with only water?
On that note, we wish everyone a happy Earth week!
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