A volcanic moon has just been discovered in space. Till now, the most volcanic system has only been known to exist in our solar system. Jupiter's moon lo is the most volcanic object in the known universe. A lava lake was also discovered a few months back.

Now another volcanic moon has been discovered, located beyond our solar system. Researchers from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Southern California have found a similar object orbiting an exoplanet named WASP-49 b, which is about the size of Saturn. It is located 635 light-years from Earth.&nbsp;

The team noticed a sodium cloud in the vicinity of WASP-49 b. This was enough to suggest that a natural satellite, also known as an exomoon, was orbiting it.&nbsp;

Multiple exomoon candidates had been identified in the past, including one near WASP-49 b. However, one has never been confirmed. Experts say that signs of volcanic activity may be the key to unveiling such objects since they are too small and dim to spot using modern telescopes, according to a statement from NASA.&nbsp;

"For example, Io, the most volcanic body in our solar system, constantly spews sulfur dioxide, sodium, potassium and other gasses that can form vast clouds around Jupiter up to 1,000 times the giant planet's radius," NASA officials said in the statement.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-crack-the-code-reveal-what-transported-seeds-of-life-to-earth-766842">Scientists crack the code, reveal what transported seeds of life to Earth</a>

"It's possible that astronomers looking at another star system could detect a gas cloud like Io's even if the moon itself were too small to see."&nbsp;

<h2>Cloud of gas above exoplanet</h2>

European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope in Chile saw that the cloud around WASP-49 b sits high above the planet's atmosphere. This was similar to the cloud of gas that Io produces around Jupiter.

The cloud was also found to be filled with sodium, was showing sudden changes in size and moving a lot faster than the planet. This hinted that it is a separate body orbiting the planet.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, both WASP-49 b and its star mostly contain only hydrogen and helium. But the cloud seems to be coming from a source that is releasing roughly 100,000 kilogrammes of sodium per second, NASA said in the statement.&nbsp;

"We think this is a really critical piece of evidence," Apurva Oza, lead author of the study and a staff scientist at the California Institute of Technology, which manages JPL, said in the statement. "The cloud is moving in the opposite direction that physics tells us it should be going if it were part of the planet's atmosphere."

The cloud also does not align with the planet's 2.8-Earth-day orbital cycle. However, more observations are needed to confirm the existence of the exomoon.

A volcanic moon has just been discovered in space. Till now, the most volcanic system has only been known to exist in our solar system. Jupiter's moon lo is the most volcanic object in the known universe.

A volcanic moon has just been discovered in space. Till now, the most volcanic system has only been known to exist in our solar system. Jupiter's moon lo is the most volcanic object in the known universe. A lava lake was also discovered a few months back. Now another volcanic moon has been discovered, located beyond our solar system. Researchers from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Southern California have found a similar object orbiting an exoplanet named WASP-49 b, which is about the size of Saturn. It is located 635 light-years from Earth. The team noticed a sodium cloud in the vicinity of WASP-49 b. This was enough to suggest that a natural satellite, also known as an exomoon, was orbiting it. Multiple exomoon candidates had been identified in the past, including one near WASP-49 b. However, one has never been confirmed. Experts say that signs of volcanic activity may be the key to unveiling such objects since they are too small and dim to spot using modern telescopes, according to a statement from NASA. "For example, Io, the most volcanic body in our solar system, constantly spews sulfur dioxide, sodium, potassium and other gasses that can form vast clouds around Jupiter up to 1,000 times the giant planet's radius," NASA officials said in the statement. Also Read: Scientists crack the code, reveal what transported seeds of life to Earth "It's possible that astronomers looking at another star system could detect a gas cloud like Io's even if the moon itself were too small to see." Cloud of gas above exoplanet European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope in Chile saw that the cloud around WASP-49 b sits high above the planet's atmosphere. This was similar to the cloud of gas that Io produces around Jupiter. The cloud was also found to be filled with sodium, was showing sudden changes in size and moving a lot faster than the planet. This hinted that it is a separate body orbiting the planet. Meanwhile, both WASP-49 b and its star mostly contain only hydrogen and helium. But the cloud seems to be coming from a source that is releasing roughly 100,000 kilogrammes of sodium per second, NASA said in the statement. "We think this is a really critical piece of evidence," Apurva Oza, lead author of the study and a staff scientist at the California Institute of Technology, which manages JPL, said in the statement. "The cloud is moving in the opposite direction that physics tells us it should be going if it were part of the planet's atmosphere." The cloud also does not align with the planet's 2.8-Earth-day orbital cycle. However, more observations are needed to confirm the existence of the exomoon.

Another lo in space? A cloud of gas hints at first exomoon bursting with volcanoes

A debate has sparked among astronomers about the existence of exomoons, the natural satellites revolving around exoplanets that orbit a star outside the solar system.

A debate has sparked among astronomers about the existence of exomoons, the natural satellites revolving around exoplanets that orbit a star outside the solar system. In 2018, David Kipping, an assistant professor of astronomy at Columbia University, and his team thought they had detected the first exomoon around the exoplanet Kepler-1625b and named it Kepler-1625b I. In 2022, another team, including Kipping, appeared to have discovered a second such non-stellar extrasolar body around Kepler-1708b and aptly dubbed it Kepler-1708b I. However, Rene Heller, a scientist at Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research, and Michael Hippke of Sonneberg Observatory wrote in a paper published in Nature Astronomy, "The probability of a moon orbiting Kepler-1708b is clearly lower than previously reported. The data do not suggest the existence of an exomoon around Kepler-1708b." They said the same thing about Kepler 1625b. David Kipping, Alex Teachey and a group of researchers from previous studies have responded to Heller and Hippke's claim. They wrote, "Recently, Heller & Hippke argued that the exomoon candidates Kepler-1625 b I and Kepler-1708 b I were allegedly 'refuted.'" According to them, Hellen and Hippke neglected data, eliminating the exomoon-supporting signal in the Hubble light curves for Kepler-1625b I. The two exoplanets at issue, Kepler-1625b and Kepler-1708 b are around 8,000 and 5,500 light years away from Earth, which is an extreme distance. Researchers used a technique similar to the transit method to detect these two exoplanets, initially captured by the Kepler Space Telescope. ALSO READ | A bacteria-murdering virus may come in handy to kill superbugs Exomoons are hard to detect, and the only evidence is light curves. However, these curves around exomoons are fainter than those around exoplanets. Different researchers employ different techniques, methods, models, and algorithms for the structural analysis of these faint exomoon light curves. Kipping and Teachey claim that Heller and Hippke made errors in their analysis and excluded critical information in their study. "We demonstrate that their Hubble light curve exhibits ~20 per cent higher noise and discards 11% of the useful data, which compromises its ability to recover the subtle signal of Kepler-1625 b I," write Kipping and Teachey. However, they added, "We begin by clearly stating, both exomoon candidates may not be real. Our original and continued claim is modest: these objects are candidates for which the data exhibits substantial but not entirely conclusive evidence in favour of exomoons." Both studies show how challenging the detection of exomoons can be until there are major advancements in telescope technology. Kipping believes this debate between the two research teams is an opportunity to compare methods and conclude on the best approach to discover more about these exomoons. (With inputs from agencies)

Do moons exist outside our solar systems? Researchers argue on discovery of exomoons

Finding alien life has long been a preoccupation of the human mind. Scientists and artists have both cast their imagination and vision in this direction. Till today though, we haven't heard from our counterparts from space. Bt research in this direction goes on. Hunt for the alien life continues.

Now scientists from the University of Concepción in Chile have concluded that 'rogue planets' in space may have moons with conditions conducive to life. The scientists made a mathematical model and based on this, have concluded that some of the 'exomoons' may have conditions for liquid water as well as atmosphere.

What are rogue planets?

Rogue planets are planets without a star. These planets roam the skies without being bound to a star. Rogue planets may have natural satellites and these are generally referred to as exomoons. Since rogue planets do not have a star, it has no heat source.

But as per the mathematical model drawn up by the scientists, cosmic radiation and gravitational effect of the rogue planet create just enough heat for liquid water and atmosphere to exits. Though the amount of water would be much much less than what it would be on Earth, it may well be the first step towards forming alien life.

Not all life needs light to survive, although Earth derives all its energy from the Sun, there are lifeforms deep, deep within the oceans who survive on heat emitted by Earth. Sunlight does not reach those depths.

It is hence quite possible for life to thrive in the waters of exomoons. We haven't found a conclusive proof of this yet. But imagine if one fine day, we woke up to a proven fact that we are indeed not alone in the universe!

The research by the scientists has been published in scientific journal International Journal of Astrobiology.

Finding alien life has long been a preoccupation of the human mind. Scientists and artists have both cast their imagination and vision in this direction. Till today though, we haven't heard from our counterparts from space.

Finding alien life has long been a preoccupation of the human mind. Scientists and artists have both cast their imagination and vision in this direction. Till today though, we haven't heard from our counterparts from space. Bt research in this direction goes on. Hunt for the alien life continues. Now scientists from the University of Concepción in Chile have concluded that 'rogue planets' in space may have moons with conditions conducive to life. The scientists made a mathematical model and based on this, have concluded that some of the 'exomoons' may have conditions for liquid water as well as atmosphere. What are rogue planets? Rogue planets are planets without a star. These planets roam the skies without being bound to a star. Rogue planets may have natural satellites and these are generally referred to as exomoons. Since rogue planets do not have a star, it has no heat source. But as per the mathematical model drawn up by the scientists, cosmic radiation and gravitational effect of the rogue planet create just enough heat for liquid water and atmosphere to exits. Though the amount of water would be much much less than what it would be on Earth, it may well be the first step towards forming alien life. Not all life needs light to survive, although Earth derives all its energy from the Sun, there are lifeforms deep, deep within the oceans who survive on heat emitted by Earth. Sunlight does not reach those depths. It is hence quite possible for life to thrive in the waters of exomoons. We haven't found a conclusive proof of this yet. But imagine if one fine day, we woke up to a proven fact that we are indeed not alone in the universe! The research by the scientists has been published in scientific journal International Journal of Astrobiology.

Rogue planets with habitable exomoons may have alien life

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