Astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope discovered a planet called TOI-270 d orbiting a red dwarf star about 70 light years from Earth.
Initial analysis found TOI-270 d has a hydrogen-rich atmosphere and could be a “Hycean world” – a planet entirely covered by a large ocean.
However, the estimated temperature of the potential ocean is around 212 degrees Fahrenheit, the boiling point of water. This hot temperature led some scientists to question if water could actually be liquid on the surface.
Alternative theories suggest TOI-270 d may have a very dense steamy atmosphere composed of superhot water vapor and hydrogen, or possibly an underground ocean beneath a rocky surface.
The discovery demonstrates how the James Webb Telescope can detect the chemical composition of distant exoplanet atmospheres, helping characterize these mysterious newly discovered worlds.
While TOI-270 d’s nature remains unclear, the finding adds to the growing diversity of exoplanet types found beyond our solar system.
Source: futurism
