Scientists claim that Proxima b - the closest Earth-like planet to our solar system - could still be inhabited, which gives us hope that literally near our side there may be a world that has the conditions to support the existence of extraterrestrial life.
The discovery of this planet has caused a huge flurry of rave reviews in the scientific community and the media in the past year. Still, a new world appeared before us, located in the habitable zone of its star and, moreover, very close - only in some 4.2 light years. Soon after, a debate began in the scientific community about the potential for its habitability. Both on the one and on the other hand, quite logical arguments were presented. And now, new simulations show that the planet is still able to provide support for a stable climate, potentially suitable for extraterrestrial life forms.
According to simulations created by researchers from the University of Exeter in the UK, Proxima b could have the conditions for maintaining a liquid state of water on its surface with a number of different orbital features and depending on how it turns around its star (scientists have not yet figured out this for sure).
Special characteristics: the terrestrial planet closest to the solar system is located in the habitable zone of its star.
The assumption that the planet may be the only one in this system only increases its significance for scientists and researchers. Some of them are already making ambitious plans to visit this potentially inhabited neighbor of the Earth. Unfortunately, now no one can accurately answer the question of whether there really is life on Proxima b, so the only thing that remains for the scientist is to actually try to guess it, based on the facts associated with its already known features, as well as its features. native system.
Previous attempts at analysis indicated that Proxima b could be covered in water, which would immediately increase the likelihood of life on it. Later, scientists suggested that the planet could be a completely naked, cut-out piece of rock, and the reason for this is the excessive activity of the star Proxima Centauri, in unforgivable proximity to which "our" planet is located.
The level of hope "for a better future for mankind" was lowered by reports from scientists published in February this year. Researchers from NASA then reported that stellar activity could burn out the atmosphere of Proxima b, leaving it completely oxygen-free (of course, if oxygen was ever there at all).
However, new research from the University of Exeter suggests that, with certain orbital characteristics, Proxima b could maintain "a habitable species and a water-supporting atmosphere."
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Using the same modeling algorithms commonly used to simulate Earth's meteorological conditions, the team found that Proxima b could maintain water on the surface if it had the same atmosphere as our Earth, or at least the atmosphere that contained nitrogen and carbon dioxide.
There is an assumption that the exoplanet is in tidal capture of its star. In other words, it is like the Moon, always directed with one side to the Earth. Simulations show that, under these conditions, it will also be able to support liquid water, albeit in a smaller volume than if it could wrap itself around itself during its orbital rotation around the star.
Scientists also carried out their simulations taking into account the so-called orbital resonance with a ratio of 3: 2. That is, when the planet makes three complete revolutions around itself in two orbital revolutions around the star. Mercury, the first planet from the Sun, has the same orbital resonance, so scientists have suggested that if Proxima b has the same features, then there may be even more water on its surface. At the same time, the light and heat generated by the star is quite enough to keep the temperature on the entire surface of the planet suitable for keeping water in liquid form.
Of course, all this is still only hypothetical fabrications. But until we can get closer to Proxima b, this kind of computer simulations remain our only source and food for assumptions related to its potential for habitability. Moreover, at the moment, all the assumptions presented above are perhaps the most convincing arguments in favor of this potential so far.
“Of course, direct observation of the planet could reveal much more information about the composition of its atmosphere, but now we do not have that opportunity,” says Main.
“By learning more about the planet, we could eliminate even more 'free parameters' and eventually get a complete picture of what Proxima b really is and what its surface is.”
NIKOLAY KHIZHNYAK