A recent NASA study on exoplanets has unveiled intriguing possibilities, suggesting that 17 exoplanets within our cosmic neighborhood may harbor oceans of liquid water beneath icy shells, presenting a promising environment for life to thrive, the agency has reported.
Exoplanets, defined as celestial bodies situated beyond our solar system, have long been a subject of fascination for scientists exploring the potential habitability of distant worlds. According to NASA, the liquid water within these oceans could sporadically erupt through the icy crust, manifesting as geysers.
In a groundbreaking move, the scientific team engaged in the study quantified the level of geyser activity on these exoplanets, marking the first time such estimates have been formulated. Remarkably, they pinpointed two exoplanets in close proximity where observable signs of these eruptions could be detected through telescopic observations.
Lynnae Quick, a researcher at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, shared insights into the findings, stating, “Our analyses predict that these 17 worlds may have ice-covered surfaces but receive enough internal heating from the decay of radioactive elements and tidal forces from their host stars to maintain internal oceans.”
She further emphasized, “Thanks to the amount of internal heating they experience, all planets in our study could also exhibit cryovolcanic eruptions in the form of geyser-like plumes.”
This revelation opens up new avenues for understanding the potential habitability of exoplanets and expands the scope of celestial bodies that may host environments conducive to life. As scientists delve deeper into the mysteries of these distant worlds, the quest for identifying extraterrestrial life takes another intriguing turn.