Scientists have concluded that some planets in the TRAPPIST-1 system may be covered with oceans of liquid water, but the question of their potential habitability remains open. The study was published on the preprint server arXiv. Astronomers have conducted a new study of planets orbiting the star TRAPPIST-1 at a distance of 40 light years from us, which is considered close by cosmic standards. The first planets in this system were discovered 8 years ago, and today it is known that the TRAPPIST-1 system consists of seven rocky planets. That is, these are Earth-like worlds with a solid surface. At the same time, some planets are slightly smaller than Earth in size, and some are larger. Three planets are in the habitable zone of their star, where the temperature allows liquid water to exist on the surface. Scientists continue to study these planets to look for potential signs of life, and now, using the Webb Space Telescope, scientists have discovered that these planets may be covered in oceans of liquid water. And water is known to be a key ingredient for life. The TRAPPIST-1 star is a red dwarf, meaning it is smaller and cooler than the Sun, but emits more ultraviolet radiation. Previous studies have shown that some planets in the system may have a lot of water, but the radiation from the star is likely causing it to evaporate quickly. New study of planets in the TRAPPIST-1 system Recent observations have shown that TRAPPIST-1c may have water vapor and oxygen in its atmosphere. For water vapor to exist, a source of water, such as volcanic outgassing, is needed. According to current theories, when planets form, their water is contained in rocks. But due to powerful volcanism early in the planet’s evolution, this water evaporates into the atmosphere. If conditions are right, this water will cause oceans to form on the surface, where life may emerge. To explore this possibility, the scientists created simulations of volcanic outgassing based on the rocky planets of the solar system, namely Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars. They then compared these data with observations of the planets. The study found that the outgassing rate on all seven planets ranged from 0.03 to 8 times that of Earth. At the same time, they found that the magma movement rate in the planets’ interiors was similar to that of Mars. But Mars is considered a volcanically dead planet, and the same may be true for the TRAPPIST-1 planets. The study found that water release rates on TRAPPIST-1 planets are likely lower than on Earth, but the likely range also includes outgassing rates that are an order of magnitude higher than on Earth. The results also indicate that the TRAPPIST-1 planets may have relatively dry mantles, like Earth. Yet water on these planets may make up as much as 1% of their mass. On Earth, water makes up only 0.02% of the planet’s mass. Scientists have concluded that the three planets in the habitable zone of the star TRAPPIST-1 may not have volcanic activity, but have different levels of water content. These may be water worlds covered in oceans of liquid water. But whether these worlds are suitable for life is still very difficult to say. The post Astronomers Have Discovered Water Planets Near Earth appeared first on Anomalien.com.