In a recent NASA study, 17 exoplanets have been identified that may harbor liquid water beneath their icy surfaces, potentially giving rise to geysers and water plumes breaking through the surface.
In the quest for extraterrestrial life, a NASA study has identified 17 exoplanets that may harbor oceans of liquid water beneath their icy shells. Furthermore, the water on these planets could intermittently burst forth as geysers breaking through the icy crusts.
The researchers also calculated the amount of geyser activity on those exoplanets. They also identified two exoplanets that are close enough that these eruptions can be observed with telescopes. This new research is important because the subsurface ocean on those planets could harbour life if they also have other necessities like an energy supply and elements and compounds that are used in biological molecules.
The researchers considered conditions on 17 confirmed exoplanets which are around Earth’s size but less dense. This suggests that they could have significant amounts of ice and water instead of dense rock. However, these planets’ exact compositions remain a mystery. But initial estimates of their surface temperatures from other studies suggest that they are much colder than our planet. This could mean that they are covered in ice.
The new study improved the estimates of each planet’s surface temperatures by recalculating it using the known surface brightness and other properties of Europa (Jupiter’s moon) and Enceladus (Saturn’s moon). They also used the shape of each exoplanet orbit to estimate the total internal heating in these planets.