NASA's James Webb Space Telescope uncovers 'boiling ocean' exoplanet – could it harbour life?

NASA’s James Webb Telescope unveils a distant exoplanet, possibly a boiling waterworld. Debate ensues over habitability, challenging conventional notions of life beyond Earth.

By: HT TECH
| Updated on: Mar 09 2024, 17:11 IST
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James Webb Space Telescope
1/5 Asteroid 2024 EH: The first asteroid on the list is designated as Asteroid 2024 EH which is set to make a close approach to Earth on March 7, 2024. The space rock is said to be 42 feet wide and it is moving at a speed of 34183 kilometers per hour. The asteroid 2024 EH will make a close approach by 506,000 kilometres on the given date.  (Pixabay)
James Webb Space Telescope
2/5 Asteroid 2024 ET1: The next asteroid is designated as Asteroid 2024 ET1 which is 22 feet wide and it will fly past the planet on March 8, 2024. The asteroid is moving at a speed of 43236 kilometers per hour and it will pass the planet by 967000 kilometers.  (Pixabay)
James Webb Space Telescope
3/5 Asteroid 2024 DW1: According to JPL, the Asteroid 2024 DW1 is said to be 200 feet wide. The space rock is moving at a pace of 71530 kilometres per hour and it will make a close approach to Earth on March 8, 2024. On the said date, the asteroid will fly by Earth at a distance of approximately 4.03 million kilometres. (Pixabay)
James Webb Space Telescope
4/5 Asteroid 2024 EO: The next space rock is the Asteroid 2024 EO which is 65 feet wide in size. The asteroid is speculated to make a close approach to Earth on March 9, 2024. NASA says the asteroid is moving at a speed of 69077 kilometres per hour and it will fly past Earth at a distance of 1.3 million kilometres. (Pixabay)
James Webb Space Telescope
5/5 Asteroid 2024 EQ1: The last asteroid that is set to pass Earth is Asteroid 2024 EQ1 which is reported to be 100 feet wide in size. The asteroid is currently moving at a speed of 69171  kilometres per hour. It is projected to come as close as 2.5 million kilometres to Earth.   (Pixabay)
James Webb Space Telescope
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NASA's James Webb Telescope reveals a distant exoplanet with a boiling water ocean, sparking debate on habitability. (AP)

In a groundbreaking discovery, NASA's James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has revealed intriguing details about a distant exoplanet, sparking a debate among scientists about its potential habitability. The exoplanet, known as TOI-270 d, lies approximately 70 light-years away and boasts twice the radius of Earth.

Observations from the James Webb Space Telescope exposed the presence of water vapour, methane, and carbon dioxide in the exoplanet's atmosphere, suggesting a composition consistent with a colossal water world. Researchers from the University of Cambridge propose that an entire surface ocean, potentially reaching temperatures exceeding 100 degrees Celsius, envelops TOI-270 d. However, they caution against envisioning this as an inviting seascape, emphasizing the extreme conditions, The Guardian reported.

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Astronomers remain divided on the habitability of TOI-270 d. A Canadian team, conducting additional observations of the same exoplanet, disputes the water world hypothesis. They argue that the planet might be too hot, reaching temperatures as high as 4,000 degrees Celsius, featuring a rocky surface beneath an incredibly dense atmosphere of hydrogen and water vapour.

The 'Hycean World' Hypothesis

Regardless of the ongoing debate, these findings underscore the unprecedented insights offered by the James Webb Telescope into the nature of planets beyond our solar system. By analyzing starlight filtered through planetary atmospheres, astronomers can decipher detailed chemical compositions, aiding in understanding surface conditions and the potential for extraterrestrial life.

The absence of ammonia in TOI-270 d's atmosphere forms the basis for the water ocean hypothesis, as basic chemistry predicts its depletion in a hydrogen-rich atmosphere due to its solubility in water. This leads to the intriguing concept of a 'hycean' world, with a water ocean beneath a hydrogen-rich atmosphere.

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Conditions on TOI-270 d differ significantly from Earth, as it is tidally locked, with one side perpetually facing its star and the other shrouded in darkness. The proposed ocean would experience extreme temperatures, with a crushing atmosphere and steam rolling off the surface.

As the scientific community debates the habitability of TOI-270 d, Dr. Jo Barstow from the Open University emphasizes the importance of caution in communicating such findings. The data from JWST offers a unique glimpse into unexplored environments, setting the stage for further observations and a deeper understanding of exoplanetary conditions.

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First Published Date: 09 Mar, 17:11 IST
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