Volcanic Activity in an Exoplanet 90 Light-Years Away From Earth May Generate an Atmosphere

A new extraterrestrial world about the size of the Earth with active volcanoes shows the potential to sustain an atmosphere. The exoplanet was found 90 light-years away from our planet.

Exoplanet With Active Volcanoes That Could Potentially Sustain Atmosphere

The exoplanet, LP 791-18 d, is located in the southern constellation Crater and revolves around a red dwarf star 90 light-years from Earth. According to the study team, it is somewhat bigger and more massive than Earth and is likely far more volcanically active than our planet, Space.com reported.

According to co-author Björn Benneke, an astronomy professor at the University of Montreal's Institute for Research on Exoplanets who organized and oversaw the work, LP 791-18 d is tidally locked, meaning the same side always faces its star.

It would likely be too hot throughout the day for liquid water to exist on the surface. However, they believe there is enough volcanic activity on the planet to provide an atmosphere allowing water to condense on the night side.

Along with LP 791-18 b and c, LP 791-18 d is the third planet discovered in this unique star system. The innermost planet, planet b, is nearly 20% bigger than Earth. According to team members, Planet d, the farthest world, is at least seven times more massive and almost 2.5 times broader than Earth.

The orbits of planets c and d around the red dwarf host star bring them reasonably close to one another. The new exoplanet is affected significantly by these interactions.

Planet d experiences a gravitational tug with each close approach from the larger planet c, which causes Planet d's orbit to become somewhat elliptical. Every time planet d circles the star on this elliptical route; it gradually deviates from its original shape.

These distortions can provide sufficient Internal friction to significantly heat the planet's innards and cause volcanic activity on its surface. Io experiences similar effects from Jupiter and some of its moons.

This does not necessarily mean that planet d is a good contender to support life as we know it; the planet might be too volatile. However, astrobiologists and scientists who are interested in the development and evolution of exoplanet atmospheres will find the newly discovered world to be an appealing target.

According to research co-author Jessie Christiansen of NASA's Exoplanet Science Institute at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, one important topic in astrobiology, the area that broadly examines the origins of life on Earth and beyond, is whether tectonic or volcanic activity is necessary for life. Aside from providing atmosphere, these activities may stir up substances like carbon, which scientists believe is vital to life.

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Spitzer Telescope Aids in Exoplanet Discovery

LP 791-18 d was discovered and studied using information from NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope and Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS).

TESS is actively searching for exoplanets from Earth orbit, looking for the distinctive brightness dips that occur when these planets pass in front of the faces of their home stars.

In a previous report from Science Times, Spitzer Space Telescope had stopped its operation in 2020 after 17 years of service to give way to NASA's James Webb Space. However, US Space Force is trying to bring it back from retirement.

Startup Rhea Space Activity received a $250,000 grant from the Space Force to explore the device and bring it back into operation.

Rhea CEO and astrophysicist Shawn Usma accepted the challenge and said the idea is "the most complex robotic mission ever performed by humanity."