Planet according to its characteristics, it resembles Venus
A group of researchers from the Smithsonian center for astrophysics (USA) found that exoplanet GJ 1132b may have an oxygen atmosphere.
This planet was discovered last year, but now scientists have presented the first results of her research. GJ 1132b located just 39 light years from Earth, according to its characteristics, it resembles Venus.
A team of scientists under the direction of Laura Schaefer found that the exoplanet revolves around its star at a distance of 2.25 million km. She literally bathed in ultraviolet radiation, which breaks down in the vaporous atmosphere water into hydrogen and oxygen. They evaporate into space, but hydrogen is “leaking” much faster. Therefore, the atmosphere of GJ 1132b is still quite saturated with oxygen.
“On colder planets oxygen can be a sign of extraterrestrial life and habitability,” says Laura Schaefer. But on a hot planet GJ 1132b the opposite – she’s burning hot and the desert”.
Life under such conditions is impossible, scientists say. Water vapor under the influence of a large amount of ultraviolet radiation creates a greenhouse effect, but the oxygen will sooner or later completely disappear. However, the model of interaction between the magma ocean and the atmosphere intriguing exoplanets may help to unravel the mystery of the evolution of Venus.
“GJ 1132b is the first rocky planet outside our Solar system where we discovered the oxygen,” says study co-author Robin Wordsworth from the Harvard school of engineering and applied Sciences.
