NASA: 17 exoplanets with oceans and possibly alien life have been found

Our search for extraterrestrial life has greatly broadened its horizons thanks to an intriguing new NASA study. According to this study, 17 exoplanets—worlds outside of our solar system—might have liquid water oceans beneath their icy exteriors. This finding has significant ramifications for our comprehension of extraterrestrial life.

The geyser activity on these exoplanets has been calculated by the research team, who used a novel methodology. This estimate is the first of its kind and provides a new way to look for evidence of life on far-off worlds. Interestingly, telescopic observation of these possible eruptions is possible due to the proximity of two of these exoplanets.

Oceans, exoplanets, and the "habitable zone"

Exoplanets that are found in the "habitable zone" of their stars are the main target of traditional searches for extraterrestrial life. The range of distances on a planet's surface where liquid water can exist defines this zone.

This research, however, indicates that if planets with oceans beneath ice crusts are internally heated, life may potentially exist on planets outside of this zone. Examples from our own solar system, such as the moons Europa on Jupiter and Enceladus on Saturn, lend credence to this theory.

"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 life," says study lead author Dr. Lynnae Quick of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center.

Moreover, similar to geysers, cryovolcanic eruptions could be caused by this internal heating. Dr. Quick went on, "All planets in our study could also exhibit cryovolcanic eruptions in the form of geyser-like plumes due to the amount of internal heating they undergo." 

Calculating exoplanet conditions

Using the known surface brightness and other characteristics of Europa and Enceladus as models, the team recalculated the estimates of surface temperatures for each exoplanet. By examining the orbits of these exoplanets to determine the tidal heat generation and adding the anticipated heat from radioactive activity, they were able to calculate the total internal heating of these planets.

The oceans beneath these exoplanets cool and freeze at the surface while receiving heat from within, and these calculations of surface temperature and total heating determined the thickness of the ice layers on each exoplanet. The scientists then compared these data to the features of Europa, estimating the exoplanets' geyser activity using Europa's geyser activity as a conservative baseline.

Geyser activity: An indicator of life

According to the team's predictions, these exoplanets' surface temperatures could be up to 60 degrees Fahrenheit (16 degrees Celsius) lower than previously thought. For Proxima Centauri b and LHS 1140 b, the estimated thickness of the ice shells varies greatly, from about 190 feet (58 meters) to one mile (1.6 kilometers) to 24 miles (38.6 kilometers) for MOA 2007 BLG 192Lb.

In contrast, the average estimated distance covered by Europa's ice shell is approximately 18 miles, or 29 kilometers.

Additionally, there is a large range in the predicted geyser activity: for Kepler 441b, it is only 17.6 pounds per second, or about 8 kilograms per second; for LHS 1140b, it is 639,640 pounds per second, or 290,000 kilograms per second; and for Proxima Centauri b, it is 13.2 million pounds per second, or six million kilograms per second.

In comparison, the estimated geyser activity on Europa is 4,400 pounds/second (2,000 kilograms/second).

Ocean geysers on exoplanets harbor alien life

During her presentation at the American Geophysical Union meeting, Dr. Quick stressed how these exoplanets' geyser activity could be used to detect geological activity.

Telescopes may witness water vapor reducing or obstructing starlight as exoplanets such as Proxima Centauri b and LHS 1140 b pass in front of their stars. The occasional finding of water vapor may be a sign of cryovolcanic eruptions, which could provide information about the planets' habitability.

With the use of sophisticated telescopes, geyser activity on planets that are not visible from Earth could be detected through light reflected from the exoplanet. These observations may shed light on the geysers' composition and help determine whether life is possible on these far-off worlds.

In conclusion, this NASA study challenges our understanding of where life can exist in the universe while also opening new avenues for the search for extraterrestrial life. We are getting closer to finding the answer to the age-old question: Are we alone in the universe? thanks to ongoing research and technological advancements.