NASA Identifies 17 Exoplanets Potentially Hosting Subsurface Oceans and Geysers

• 18 Dec 2023

In a quest for extraterrestrial life, NASA's recent study beyond our solar system has unveiled 17 exoplanets with the potential for subsurface oceans beneath icy exteriors, occasionally erupting as geysers.

Key Points

• Geyser Activity Calculation: Researchers not only identified these exoplanets but also calculated the potential geyser activity on these distant worlds, offering insights into their dynamic geological processes.
• Observable Eruptions: Two of the identified exoplanets are situated at a proximity that allows telescope observations of the occasional eruptions through their icy crusts, providing a unique opportunity for scientific scrutiny.
• Life Potential: The presence of subsurface oceans on these exoplanets raises the tantalizing possibility of life, given the availability of essential elements, compounds, and energy supply—conditions analogous to Earth's deep-sea ecosystems thriving near hydrothermal vents.
• Biological Relevance: Drawing parallels with life on Earth, where entire ecosystems flourish in the darkness at the ocean floor, the study underscores the potential habitability of subsurface oceans on distant exoplanets.
• Composition Mystery: While these exoplanets are similar in size to Earth, they exhibit lower density, suggesting a composition rich in ice and water rather than dense rock. However, their exact compositions remain a mystery.
• Cold Environments: Initial estimates indicate that these exoplanets' surface temperatures are significantly colder than Earth, hinting at potential icy coverings.
• This chilling environment prompts speculation about the conditions necessary for life to emerge.