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Which of the following best describes K2-18b, which was recently seen in the news?
- a)It is an exoplanet.
- b)It is a new variant of COVID-19.
- c)It is a newly found asteroid.
- d)It is a payload of Chandrayaan 3.
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
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Most Upvoted Answer
Which of the following best describes K2-18b, which was recently seen ...
Answer:
K2-18b is an exoplanet that has recently been in the news. It is a significant discovery in the field of astronomy and has generated interest among scientists and the general public alike. Let's delve into the details of this exoplanet and understand why it is making headlines.
What is an exoplanet?
An exoplanet is a planet that exists outside our solar system, orbiting a star other than the Sun. These planets are incredibly fascinating as they provide insights into the diversity and potential habitability of celestial bodies beyond our own solar system.
About K2-18b:
K2-18b was first discovered in 2015 by NASA's Kepler spacecraft during its extended K2 mission. It is located approximately 110 light-years away from Earth in the constellation Leo. This exoplanet orbits a red dwarf star called K2-18, which is smaller and cooler than our Sun.
Characteristics of K2-18b:
1. Habitable Zone: K2-18b is situated within the habitable zone of its star. The habitable zone, also known as the Goldilocks zone, refers to the region around a star where conditions may be suitable for liquid water to exist on the surface of a planet. This makes K2-18b an exciting prospect for potential habitability.
2. Super-Earth: K2-18b is classified as a "super-Earth" due to its size and composition. It is approximately 2.6 times the radius of Earth and has a mass around eight times greater than our planet. This makes it larger and more massive than Earth but smaller than gas giants like Neptune.
3. Atmosphere and Water Vapor: One of the most intriguing aspects of K2-18b is the presence of water vapor in its atmosphere. In a groundbreaking study published in September 2019, astronomers used data from the Hubble Space Telescope to detect water vapor in the planet's atmosphere. This discovery raised the possibility that K2-18b may have conditions conducive to supporting life.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, K2-18b is an exoplanet that has been making headlines due to its potential habitability and the detection of water vapor in its atmosphere. This discovery expands our understanding of exoplanets and the possibility of finding life beyond Earth. Further research and observations will continue to shed light on the nature and composition of K2-18b, bringing us closer to answering the age-old question of whether we are alone in the universe.
K2-18b is an exoplanet that has recently been in the news. It is a significant discovery in the field of astronomy and has generated interest among scientists and the general public alike. Let's delve into the details of this exoplanet and understand why it is making headlines.
What is an exoplanet?
An exoplanet is a planet that exists outside our solar system, orbiting a star other than the Sun. These planets are incredibly fascinating as they provide insights into the diversity and potential habitability of celestial bodies beyond our own solar system.
About K2-18b:
K2-18b was first discovered in 2015 by NASA's Kepler spacecraft during its extended K2 mission. It is located approximately 110 light-years away from Earth in the constellation Leo. This exoplanet orbits a red dwarf star called K2-18, which is smaller and cooler than our Sun.
Characteristics of K2-18b:
1. Habitable Zone: K2-18b is situated within the habitable zone of its star. The habitable zone, also known as the Goldilocks zone, refers to the region around a star where conditions may be suitable for liquid water to exist on the surface of a planet. This makes K2-18b an exciting prospect for potential habitability.
2. Super-Earth: K2-18b is classified as a "super-Earth" due to its size and composition. It is approximately 2.6 times the radius of Earth and has a mass around eight times greater than our planet. This makes it larger and more massive than Earth but smaller than gas giants like Neptune.
3. Atmosphere and Water Vapor: One of the most intriguing aspects of K2-18b is the presence of water vapor in its atmosphere. In a groundbreaking study published in September 2019, astronomers used data from the Hubble Space Telescope to detect water vapor in the planet's atmosphere. This discovery raised the possibility that K2-18b may have conditions conducive to supporting life.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, K2-18b is an exoplanet that has been making headlines due to its potential habitability and the detection of water vapor in its atmosphere. This discovery expands our understanding of exoplanets and the possibility of finding life beyond Earth. Further research and observations will continue to shed light on the nature and composition of K2-18b, bringing us closer to answering the age-old question of whether we are alone in the universe.
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Which of the following best describes K2-18b, which was recently seen ...
Recently, the NASA's James Webb Space Telescope found tentative evidence which suggests signs of life on a distant exoplanet, K2-18b.
- It was first discovered in 2015 more than 120 light-years from Earth during the space agency's K2 mission.
- It is 8.6 times bigger than Earth.
- It could be a "Hycean" world with a hydrogen-rich atmosphere and a surface covered by ocean water.
- Now, a new investigation with the Webb telescope has revealed traces of carbon-bearing molecules in its atmosphere, including methane and carbon dioxide.
Key points about the James Webb Space Telescope
- This telescope was built in collaboration between NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Canadian Space Agency.
- It was launched in December 2021.
- It is presently at a point in space known as the Sun-Earth L2 Lagrange point, approximately 1.5 million km beyond Earth’s orbit.
- It's the largest, most powerful infrared space telescope ever built.
- Objectives: It will examine every phase of cosmic history; from the Big Bang to the formation of galaxies, stars, and planets to the evolution of our Solar System.
Hence option (a) is the correct answer.
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Which of the following best describes K2-18b, which was recently seen in the news?a)It is an exoplanet.b)It is a new variant of COVID-19.c)It is a newly found asteroid.d)It is a payload of Chandrayaan 3.Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
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