K2-18B

k2-18b

habitable?

Presentation by Nor and Lynn

k2-18b

NASA, September 11, 2023

INDEX

Discovery of a new habitable planet

How do methane, carbon dioxide and DMS create a habitable atmosphere ?

LIMITS

Who conducted the research ?

An international team of astronomers

Nikku (Madhu) Madhusudhan

Bethany Downer

Ninja Menning

ESA/Webb Chief Science Communications Officer

Institute of Astronomy, University of Cambridge

ESA Newsroom and Media Relations Office

Bethany.Downer@esawebb.org

nmadhu@ast.cam.ac.uk

media@esa.int

How did the researchers find out about this planet

- Webb is an international partnership between NASA, ESA and CSA.

- Webb: Largest, most powerful space telescope.

- JWST analyzes exoplanet atmospheres using transmission spectroscopy.

- Identifies molecules via absorption patterns during planetary transits.

Hycean

cean= ocean

size comparison

NEPTUNE

K2-18B

EARTH

DMS

DMS

DMSP

phytoplankton

methane

The importance of CO2 for living beings

2NH3(g) + CO2(g) + 3CH4(g) ---> CO(NH2)2(s) + 3H2O(g)

If so, do we have enough advanced technology to support the initiative of moving humanity there?

several positive impacts on addressing today's environmental issues, including pollution, and exploring potential extraterrestrial life

1. Environmental Sustainability
2. Space-based Solutions
3. Planetary Protection
4. Inspiration and Education
5. Search for Extraterrestrial Life

Conclusion

If this exoplanet is indeed covered in vast oceans, could there already be life thriving beneath its waves?

THANKS!

https://esawebb.org/news/weic2321/https://www.cam.ac.uk/stories/carbon-found-in-habitable-zone-exoplanet

cyanobacteriaalgaefungi plants

Hy = Hydrogen