<p>Scientists have&nbsp;found the best evidence to date for a rocky planet atmosphere outside our solar system in a major breakthrough for humanity's expedition to find life outside Earth. The breakthrough was achieved by the researchers using NASA's James Webb Space Telescope, who detected an atmosphere surrounding 55 Cancri e, an exoplanet located about 41 light-years from Earth.</p>

<p>The international research was published in the journal Nature.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>About 55 Cancri e: What is it?</strong></h2>

<p>55 Cancri e is one of five known planets that orbit&nbsp;a sun-like star in the constellation Cancer.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It has a diameter nearly twice that of Earth and a density slightly smaller. Astrophysicists have classified the planet as a Super Earth. This means that&nbsp;it is larger than Earth, smaller than Neptune, and similar in composition to the planets in our solar system.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Brightest and hungriest black hole ever detected; It eats one sun a a day</strong></p>

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<p>Brice-Olivier Demory, Professor of Astrophysics at the University of Bern and member of the National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) Planets said in an official statement: "55 Cancri e is one of the most enigmatic exoplanets. Despite enormous amounts of observing time obtained with a dozen of ground and space facilities in the past decade, its very nature has remained elusive, until today, when parts of the puzzle could finally be put together, thanks to the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST)".</p>

<h2><strong>James Webb is 'enabling a new type of science'</strong></h2>

<p>Renyu Hu from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California, who is lead author of the paper published in Nature, said, "Webb is pushing the frontiers of exoplanet characterisation to rocky planets."</p>

<p>"It is truly enabling a new type of science."</p>

<p>But an official NASA readout said that describing 55 Cancri e as "rocky"&nbsp;could leave the wrong impression.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/evidence-of-aliens-scientists-find-gas-only-produced-by-life-on-distant-exoplanet-twice-as-big-as-earth-716192">An Earth-like planet? Tantalising proof of life on THIS exoplanet has scientists in 'shock'</a></strong></p>

<p>"The planet orbits so close to its star (about 1.4 million miles, or one-twenty-fifth the distance between Mercury and the Sun) that its surface is likely to be molten — a bubbling ocean of magma. With such a tight orbit, the planet is also likely to be tidally locked, with a dayside that faces the star at all times and a nightside in perpetual darkness," it said.</p>

<p>Earlier studies of 55 Cancri e using data from NASA's now-retired Spitzer Space Telescope suggested the presence of a substantial atmosphere rich in volatiles like oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, researchers could not rule out the possibility that the planet is bare except for some vapourised rock, rich in elements like silicon, iron, aluminium, and calcium.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The planet is so hot that some of the molten rock should evaporate," explained Hu.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Scientists have found the best evidence to date for a rocky planet atmosphere outside our solar system in a major breakthrough for humanity's expedition to find life outside Earth.

Scientists have found the best evidence to date for a rocky planet atmosphere outside our solar system in a major breakthrough for humanity's expedition to find life outside Earth. The breakthrough was achieved by the researchers using NASA's James Webb Space Telescope, who detected an atmosphere surrounding 55 Cancri e, an exoplanet located about 41 light-years from Earth. The international research was published in the journal Nature. About 55 Cancri e: What is it? 55 Cancri e is one of five known planets that orbit a sun-like star in the constellation Cancer. It has a diameter nearly twice that of Earth and a density slightly smaller. Astrophysicists have classified the planet as a Super Earth. This means that it is larger than Earth, smaller than Neptune, and similar in composition to the planets in our solar system. Also watch | Brightest and hungriest black hole ever detected; It eats one sun a a day × Brice-Olivier Demory, Professor of Astrophysics at the University of Bern and member of the National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) Planets said in an official statement: "55 Cancri e is one of the most enigmatic exoplanets. Despite enormous amounts of observing time obtained with a dozen of ground and space facilities in the past decade, its very nature has remained elusive, until today, when parts of the puzzle could finally be put together, thanks to the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST)". James Webb is 'enabling a new type of science' Renyu Hu from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California, who is lead author of the paper published in Nature, said, "Webb is pushing the frontiers of exoplanet characterisation to rocky planets." "It is truly enabling a new type of science." But an official NASA readout said that describing 55 Cancri e as "rocky" could leave the wrong impression. Also read | An Earth-like planet? Tantalising proof of life on THIS exoplanet has scientists in 'shock' "The planet orbits so close to its star (about 1.4 million miles, or one-twenty-fifth the distance between Mercury and the Sun) that its surface is likely to be molten — a bubbling ocean of magma. With such a tight orbit, the planet is also likely to be tidally locked, with a dayside that faces the star at all times and a nightside in perpetual darkness," it said. Earlier studies of 55 Cancri e using data from NASA's now-retired Spitzer Space Telescope suggested the presence of a substantial atmosphere rich in volatiles like oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide. However, researchers could not rule out the possibility that the planet is bare except for some vapourised rock, rich in elements like silicon, iron, aluminium, and calcium. "The planet is so hot that some of the molten rock should evaporate," explained Hu. (With inputs from agencies)

Is an ocean of magma creating atmosphere on this 'Super Earth'? The possibility has scientists excited

<p>According to scientists, it’s highly likely that the Perseverance rover may already have rolled over signs of life on Mars. This assessment comes as the latest data from the rover hints at the existence of the sediments of a dried-out lake on the planet, which was once fed by a large river.</p>

<p>An analysis of data confirmed that the Jezero Crater once contained a delta system. The car-sized, six-wheeled rover, nicknamed Percy, was sent in 2021 to investigate the crater on Mars. Underground radar images suggest that the rover is investigating the perfect spot on the planet where it could already have stumbled upon signs of microbial life.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a data-jsarwt="1" data-usg="AOvVaw0pxq7PX001q01znJiF-m0w" data-ved="2ahUKEwiJ9J_5yYKEAxVCT2wGHeQLC3cQxfQBKAB6BAgHEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/science/data-from-mars-rover-reconfirms-theory-that-planet-was-once-warm-and-wet-684269" jsname="YKoRaf">How NASA's rover is helping scientists find the truth about existence of life on Mars</a></strong></p>

<p>"From orbit we can see a bunch of different deposits, but we can't tell for sure if what we're seeing is their original state, or if we're seeing the conclusion of a long geological story," explains planetary scientist and first author David Paige from the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA).</p>

<p>"To tell how these things formed, we need to see below the surface," he added.</p>

<h2><strong>RIMFAX: The greatest tool on board the rover</strong></h2>

<p>Percy rover boasts seven major scientific tools in total, with RIMFAX being the greatest of all. It can detect ice, water or salty brines even 10 metres below the surface. Additionally, it can map layers of soil and rock down to 20 metres.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a data-jsarwt="1" data-usg="AOvVaw201Ii07fWizXkv7qN_aq0o" data-ved="2ahUKEwiJ9J_5yYKEAxVCT2wGHeQLC3cQxfQBKAB6BAgQEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-perseverance-rover-finds-evidence-of-flowing-water-on-mars-673378" jsname="YKoRaf">NASA`s Perseverance rover finds evidence of flowing water on Mars</a></strong></p>

<p>As Percy roamed around the western edge of the Jezero crater for several months last year, it extensively used its radar to probe the surface below.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>What Percy has collected so far?</strong></h2>

<p>The Percy rover has collected rocks and dust from the Martian surface, which show signs of organic compounds. But as per scientists, it's impossible to say if these compounds come from biological or geological sources until a separate mission is sent there to collect the inventory and then it is analysed in detail by experts.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Scientists surprised by source of largest quake detected on Mars</strong></p>

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<p>"This sequence of events… reinforces the notion that Jezero crater has recorded a rich geological history that was driven by large-scale changes in the Martian environment," write the authors of the analysis.</p>

<p>As of now, the inventory of the rover is 60 per cent full.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


According to scientists, it’s highly likely that the Perseverance rover may already have rolled over signs of life on Mars. This assessment comes as the latest data from the rover hints at the existence of the sediments of a dried-out lake on the planet, which was once fed by a large river.

According to scientists, it’s highly likely that the Perseverance rover may already have rolled over signs of life on Mars. This assessment comes as the latest data from the rover hints at the existence of the sediments of a dried-out lake on the planet, which was once fed by a large river. An analysis of data confirmed that the Jezero Crater once contained a delta system. The car-sized, six-wheeled rover, nicknamed Percy, was sent in 2021 to investigate the crater on Mars. Underground radar images suggest that the rover is investigating the perfect spot on the planet where it could already have stumbled upon signs of microbial life. Also read: How NASA's rover is helping scientists find the truth about existence of life on Mars "From orbit we can see a bunch of different deposits, but we can't tell for sure if what we're seeing is their original state, or if we're seeing the conclusion of a long geological story," explains planetary scientist and first author David Paige from the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA). "To tell how these things formed, we need to see below the surface," he added. RIMFAX: The greatest tool on board the rover Percy rover boasts seven major scientific tools in total, with RIMFAX being the greatest of all. It can detect ice, water or salty brines even 10 metres below the surface. Additionally, it can map layers of soil and rock down to 20 metres. Also read: NASA`s Perseverance rover finds evidence of flowing water on Mars As Percy roamed around the western edge of the Jezero crater for several months last year, it extensively used its radar to probe the surface below. What Percy has collected so far? The Percy rover has collected rocks and dust from the Martian surface, which show signs of organic compounds. But as per scientists, it's impossible to say if these compounds come from biological or geological sources until a separate mission is sent there to collect the inventory and then it is analysed in detail by experts. Watch: Scientists surprised by source of largest quake detected on Mars × "This sequence of events… reinforces the notion that Jezero crater has recorded a rich geological history that was driven by large-scale changes in the Martian environment," write the authors of the analysis. As of now, the inventory of the rover is 60 per cent full. (With inputs from agencies)

Signs of life found outside Earth? Scientists say Mars rover might have made a breakthrough

<p>Our Milky Way is filled with surprises yet to be explored and studied. Scientists have now discovered that salt glaciers may exist on Mercury, the planet closest to Sun. The discovery indicates that Mercury may occasionally harbour conditions akin to the ones on Earth to support life forms.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The research was conducted by the scientists from the Arizona, United States-based Planetary Science Institute (PSI).&nbsp;</p>

<p>They said that such salt glaciers may create the right conditions for life, similar to some of the extreme environments on Earth where microbial life is found.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Scientists Discover A New Earth-Like Planet</strong>&nbsp;</p>

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<p>Such life forms are found in Chile's Atacama Desert, research's lead author said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Specific salt compounds on Earth create habitable niches even in some of the harshest environments where they occur, such as the arid Atacama Desert in Chile," research lead author and PSI scientist Alexis Rodriguez said in an official statement. "This line of thinking leads us to ponder the possibility of subsurface areas on Mercury that might be more hospitable than its harsh surface."</p>

<h2><strong>What does it mean?</strong></h2>

<p>It means that the solar system could contain so-called "depth-dependent Goldilocks zones," regions on planets and where life might be able to survive not on the surface, but at specific depths that posses just the right conditions.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"This groundbreaking discovery of Mercurian glaciers extends our comprehension of the environmental parameters that could sustain life, adding a vital dimension to our exploration of astrobiology also relevant to the potential habitability of Mercury-like exoplanets," Rodriguez said.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/web-stories/science/7-unsolved-mysteries-about-mercury-1694770176821">7 Unsolved Mysteries About Mercury</a></strong></p>

<p>The research shows that Mercury is not devoid of chemical elements that were crucial for the emergence of life on Earth.</p>

<p>"These Mercurian glaciers, distinct from Earth's, originate from deeply buried VRLs exposed by asteroid impacts," research co-author and Planetary Science Institute (PSI) scientist Bryan Travis said. "Our models strongly affirm that salt flow likely produced these glaciers and that after their emplacement, they retained volatiles for over 1 billion years."</p>

<p><i>(With inputs from agencies)</i></p>


Our Milky Way is filled with surprises yet to be explored and studied. Scientists have now discovered that salt glaciers may exist on Mercury, the planet closest to Sun.

Our Milky Way is filled with surprises yet to be explored and studied. Scientists have now discovered that salt glaciers may exist on Mercury, the planet closest to Sun. The discovery indicates that Mercury may occasionally harbour conditions akin to the ones on Earth to support life forms. The research was conducted by the scientists from the Arizona, United States-based Planetary Science Institute (PSI). They said that such salt glaciers may create the right conditions for life, similar to some of the extreme environments on Earth where microbial life is found. Also watch | Gravitas: Scientists Discover A New Earth-Like Planet × Such life forms are found in Chile's Atacama Desert, research's lead author said. "Specific salt compounds on Earth create habitable niches even in some of the harshest environments where they occur, such as the arid Atacama Desert in Chile," research lead author and PSI scientist Alexis Rodriguez said in an official statement. "This line of thinking leads us to ponder the possibility of subsurface areas on Mercury that might be more hospitable than its harsh surface." What does it mean? It means that the solar system could contain so-called "depth-dependent Goldilocks zones," regions on planets and where life might be able to survive not on the surface, but at specific depths that posses just the right conditions. "This groundbreaking discovery of Mercurian glaciers extends our comprehension of the environmental parameters that could sustain life, adding a vital dimension to our exploration of astrobiology also relevant to the potential habitability of Mercury-like exoplanets," Rodriguez said. Also read | 7 Unsolved Mysteries About Mercury The research shows that Mercury is not devoid of chemical elements that were crucial for the emergence of life on Earth. "These Mercurian glaciers, distinct from Earth's, originate from deeply buried VRLs exposed by asteroid impacts," research co-author and Planetary Science Institute (PSI) scientist Bryan Travis said. "Our models strongly affirm that salt flow likely produced these glaciers and that after their emplacement, they retained volatiles for over 1 billion years." (With inputs from agencies)

Mercury is home to salt glaciers that might be hiding elements of life, scientists say