James Webb helps discover life on Earth-like exoplanets

TRAPPIST-1e is one of seven planets in the "Trappist-1" system, which orbits a relatively cool M-dwarf star 39 light-years from Earth. . The fact that all the planets in this system are thought to be rocky worlds with the same size as Earth has made the TRAPPIST-1 system the main focus of the search for life beyond the solar system.

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During the next year, this star system and planet TRAPPIST-1e, considered one of the most "potentially habitable" exoplanets discovered, will be the subject of an important part of the studies " James Webb Space Telescope (JWST).

The new research used a computer to simulate the climate of TRAPPIST-1e. This planet is roughly the same size as Earth but has 40% less mass and is located in the "life belt" of its parent star, where the temperature is suitable for liquid water.

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In addition to investigating how the climate of the simulated exoplanet reacts to the increase in greenhouse gases, especially the effect of carbon dioxide on conditions Extreme weather and rate of climate change, the research team compared it with Earth. Two parameters that, according to "Assaf Hochman" (Assaf Hochman), who led the study, "are very important for the existence of life on other planets and are now being studied in depth for the first time."

Researchers found that the atmosphere of TRAPPIST-1e Compared to Earth, it is much more sensitive to greenhouse gases. This means that increased greenhouse gases in TRAPPIST-1e's atmosphere could lead to more severe climate changes than on Earth.

Such sensitivity could be due to TRAPPIST-1e's gravitational lock to its parent star. In such a case, one side of the extrasolar planet always faces the star and is constantly bombarded by the star's radiation, unlike the Earth, which rotates around itself at a different speed when it rotates around the sun, and all its directions are exposed to sunlight.

Huchman said about James Webb's role in such studies: "The established research framework, along with observational data from the James Webb Telescope, allows scientists to better assess the atmospheres of many other planets without the need to send astronauts to visit them up close. .

A subject that, according to him, helps to make informed decisions about possible planets suitable for human habitation or even finding extraterrestrial life.

Scientists even believe that studying the climate change process An Earth-like exoplanet, including TRAPPIST-1e, could also help to better understand our planet's current and future climate changes.

Cover photo: A graphic representation of the Trappist-1 star system
Credit: Mark Garlick/Science Photo Library/Getty Images