Trappist 1 is a recently discovered dwarf star consisting of seven habitable planets revolving around it. A recent research has found that these planets are so close to each other that alien life forms can literally "hop" between them. This has irked the possibility of finding alien life on the newfound star system.
According to Mail Online, the planets around the Trappist 1 are in such close proximity to each other that if a meteorite hits one of the planets, the debris from that impact can fly into another planet. Researchers from Harvard University are of the opinion that bacteria and other forms of life can travel between the planets via a process known as "Panspermia", assuming meteors could commute between the Trappist 1's habitable planets pretty quickly.
Three of the planets in the Trappist 1 star system, namely "e", "f" and "g" lie in what the scientists refer as the "Goldilocks Zone", maintaining perfect conditions for life to thrive. Researchers are hopeful that if simple molecules can travel between the planets, it could increase the chance of having life on them. However, space radiation can kill the organisms carried from one planet to the other via "Panspermia".
According to Gizmodo, the research team set up models by virtue of which it has been assumed that if microbes exist on one planet, it is possible that the others will have life on them as well. It is comparable to the immigration of species from one island to another. This idea of having life on the planets of Trappist 1 will only be possible, however, if only they have an atmosphere, without which liquid water can't exist.
The next crucial step for the researchers is to observe these planets in the "Goldilocks Zone" of Trappist 1 closely. This is meant to understand how these planets pass in front of Trappist 1 and measure the light refracted, indicating the existence of an atmosphere. After that, the researchers will be looking to study the composition of the atmosphere on these planets and whether it consists of oxygen and other crucial factors for life to thrive on them.
As the researchers say, there are at least three chances to find life on the planets of the Trappist 1. This will surely change the perception about alien life, believe the researchers.
