For the first time, discovering water on the surface of a planet can be good for life

(Masrawy):

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) – Scientists have for the first time confirmed the existence of water in the cover of the planet.

The new planet, nicknamed "K2-18b", says scientists, indicates that the proportion of water in the atmosphere reaches 50% of the atmosphere, according to information from the network "Sky News".

But it is not so easy: in 10 years, modern telescopes can determine if the planet contains gases that can be produced by living beings.

The principal investigator of the study, Giovanna Tenetti, of London University College, said the discovery was "amazing".

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"For the first time, water is discovered on a planet located in the habitable zone around a star and the temperature in this region is generally compatible with life."

Astronomers designate by the valid scope of life, the area where the planet away from its star makes it eligible for the emergence of life on its surface.

The newly discovered planet is about 111 light-years away, or 650 million kilometers. It is therefore difficult to send a probe to explore.

The only solution for scientists today is to wait for the next generation of space telescopes, which should be created over the next decade, and reliable for gas discovery in the atmosphere on the planet and products exclusively by living beings.