Astronomers have discovered a new exoplanet, which means that it is outside the Solar System, which could be covered in water, and could be the first of its kind.
A team of Astronomers from the University of Montreal discovered an exoplanet orbiting around TOI-1452, which is a star about 100 light-years from Earth.
Reporting their findings in The Astronomical Journal, the researchers say the exoplanet, known as TOI-1452 b, is slightly larger in size and mass than Earth.
In addition, your distance from your star means that its temperature could allow liquid to exist on its surface, since it would not be too hot or too cold.
Astronomers think it could be an “ocean planet,” meaning it could be completely covered by a thick layer of water, similar to some of the moons of Jupiter and Saturn.
Also like the moons of Jupiter and Saturn, water can represent up to 30% of the mass of the planet.
Although water covers about 70% of the Earth’s surface, it only constitutes 1% of the mass of the planet.
Charles Cadieux, a doctoral student at the University of Montreal who led the team of researchers, told the Exoplanet Research Institute: “TOI-1452 b is one of the best candidates for an ocean planet that we have found to date.”
“Its radius and mass suggest a much lower density than would be expected for a planet that is basically made of metal and rock, like Earth,” he added.
The researchers hope to use NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope to further study the exoplanet.
Researcher René Doyon said: “Our observations with the Webb Telescope will be essential to better understand TOI-550 b. As soon as we can, we’ll set aside time on the Webb to look at this weird and wonderful world.”
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