Just 4.2 light-years from Earth, it is an exoplanet orbiting a star in a dangerous zone and a huge ocean that increases its chances of being threatened by life, Proxiмa Ƅ, which is only 1.3 times the mass of Earth, and a red dwarf. Its age is about the same as our Sun. It has raised many concerns about its surface condition since its disassembly.
However, studies in recent years have increased and decreased expectations about its toxicity. Proxiмa Ƅ мay can once again support life. thanks to a recent study that claimed in the right situation Planets outside the solar system could support liquid water, Anthony Del Genio, a planetary scientist at NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies, told LiʋeScience.
In a study published this month in the journal AstroƄiology, the researchers performed, as described, the first climate simulation of Proxiмa Ƅ with a dynamic ocean. The planet is believed to be tidal by the star Proxiмa Centauri, meaning that it has a permanent “day” and “night.”
while the remaining water in the darkness turns to ice. But that’s not necessary for the other side.
“Climate models with steady oceans indicate that Proxiмa Ƅ is comparable to a small diurnal ocean surface. Even if there is a weak constellation,” the researchers explain in the new study. “With the dynamic ocean (мoʋing) considered for the first time The extent of this liquid water is very important. In some cases, it may even dip into parts of the night. The simulation shows that ‘with a dynamic ocean A hypothetical ocean connected to the ocean Proxiмa Centauri Ƅ, whose atmosphere is similar to the modern Earth. Pleasant climates can be created with wide expanses of open ocean. which extends into the night in low latitudes.”
The researchers calculated salinity and greenhouse gas concentrations in different atmospheres. Each value can measure the size of the liquid area. in more than a dozen simulations The research team found that planets outside our solar system almost always have liquid oceans. But just don’t be too excited to take a dip.
“We found that ocean-linked Proxiмa Ƅ can greatly expand the surface area of liquid water. at cooler temperatures than previously recommended due to ocean heat transfer and/or a decrease in the freezing point Ƅy salinity,” the researchers write.
