I am sure that you have noticed this week’s announcement of NASA and ESO about the discovery of 7 exoplanets orbiting the star Trappist-1.
These planets are orbiting the star in the habitable zone! It means, that the conditions on these planets are suitable for liquid water and for a life.
A size comparison of the planets of the TRAPPIST-1 system, lined up in order of increasing distance from their host star. The planetary surfaces are portrayed with an artist’s impression of their potential surface features, including water, ice, and atmospheres. Image credit: European Southern Observatory.
Planets b and c have conditions quite hot for oceans and the water could exist probably as a steam. Planets d, e, f, g have conditions where water could be in a liquid form and where even oceans can exist. Problem is, that we do not know yet, if these planets have enough hydrogen or oxygen. But lets be optimistic. Universe is such large that we simply cannot be alone! What do you think?
Dr. Jozef Kozár is a scientist and writer, studying planets, Solar System, and robotic space exploration missions. He is the author of seven books, author of several hundred articles published in various scientific and popular magazines, a former public speaker, and a documentary movies/TV guest.
Jozef's Mars research and the “GNSS for Mars” project became well known especially in 2015 when it attracted many local and worldwide media. Jozef earned his Ph.D. in the field of aerospace from the Technical University of Kosice in 2016. During his following career, he left his home country and completed a professional university course in planetary science – the science of the Solar System, at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), Pasadena, California in 2019. View all posts by Joe
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