Space

NASA found a planet bigger than Earth that’s in a ‘habitable zone’

  • NASA has found a potentially habitable planet
  • The planet’s atmosphere has gases like methane and DMS
  • Scientists believe K2-18 b could also have oceans

Published on Jan 01, 2025 at 2:06 PM (UTC+4)
by Daksh Chaudhary

Last updated on Jan 02, 2025 at 9:19 AM (UTC+4)
Edited by Nalin Rawat

NASA scientists have made an amazing discovery — a planet named K2-18 b, much bigger than Earth that sits in a ‘habitable zone’.

This planet could have the right conditions for life.

Scientists have even found signs in its atmosphere that could only come from living things.

NASA scientists say this could be a big deal.

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A new habitable planet discovered by NASA that’s bigger than Earth

The planet K2-18 b is located 124 light-years away from Earth. It is about 2.6 times larger than Earth and has 8.6 times its mass.

This massive planet orbits a small red star called K2-18, in a region where life could potentially exist.

NASA first found K2-18 b in 2009 with the Kepler Space Telescope, but more recent observations by the James Webb Space Telescope revealed even more details.

This latter telescope was also used to discover some objects in Pluto’s orbit.

NASA scientists find new planet K2-18 b
NASA

According to NASA, the planet’s atmosphere contains important gases like methane and carbon dioxide, which are often linked to life.

Scientists think K2-18 b could be a Hycean planet, meaning it might have a thick hydrogen-rich atmosphere and oceans of water on its surface.

One of the most surprising findings is the presence of dimethyl sulfide (DMS). On Earth, this gas is made only by living organisms, mostly tiny marine creatures like phytoplankton.

While these signs are promising, K2-18b’s size raises questions.

K2-18 b could not be perfect to support life

Due to its large size, its interior might have high-pressure ice, or its oceans could be too hot to support life as we know it.

K2-18 b planet far away from earth

Still, the discovery is a big step in searching for life beyond Earth.

Scientists believe exploring planets like K2-18 b will help us understand more about the universe and our place in it.

Interestingly, scientists also recently found an asteroid so rich in precious metals that it could make everyone on Earth a billionaire.

With discoveries like these, the search for life and resources in space is more thrilling than ever.

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Meet Daksh: Not your typical pro, but definitely a pro at being fascinated by supercars, tech, and all things futuristic. When he's not nose-deep in work, catch him glued to anime screens or lost in the pages of a good book.