Just when humanity believes it has unraveled a large percentage of eventual causality within the confines of the cosmos, the universe laughs and sends a unique event that leaves us dead in our tracks once more. An example of such an event is the twin ocean planets that have been recently discovered by astronomers. Right now, the world of astronomy is in a frenzy: What more secrets is our universe hiding from us?
How were Earth’s scientists able to make the revolutionary cosmic find?
At the center of cosmic discovery, special equipment is needed to unlock certain mysteries that the universe might be hiding. These instruments are not devices that can be magically whipped up or built without prior understanding of how the cosmos works. This is why agencies and organizations like NASA and ESA exist. To equip astronomers and researchers with the right tools to make celestial discovery 10 times easier.
Do these names sound familiar: Kepler, Hubble, Spitzer? If yes, then you’re a true fan of astronomy, and if not, these names refer to highly sophisticated and advanced telescopes that are capable of analyzing and detecting unusual phenomena across the surface of the cosmos.
In astronomy, different planetary models exist, especially when it comes to discovering new entities. NASA’s recent discovery inferred large water content with a density that was much lower than rock-dominated planets, and the most intriguing part: They seemed to exist in a double form.
Unravelling the properties of the bizarre twin ocean planets
In fact, this is the first time since the idea of space exploration became a real thing that twin ocean planets will share similar radius, mass, and density, and this is unique because ideally, planets tend to exhibit different properties.
Some of these physical characteristics include: thick steam atmosphere, possible supercritical water layers, and high-pressure effects, among many others. The message is clear: regardless of how acquainted we claim to be with events happening outside our planet, several aberrations like this always humble us, just like the discovery of a monster bubble in the Milky Way. But it is not all gloom and doom because in the science of astronomy, research never ends.
Why have astronomers designated these planets bizarre?
For the longest time, astronomers have always thought that while existential planets within the cosmos typically tend to exhibit differing characteristics, subtle similarities still tend to exist that categorically give their identity away as celestial phenomena with a shared ancestry, the universe.
The twin planets seem to be water-rich, but being water-rich does not mean that human life will be supported. This is evident in the surface temperature, atmospheric steam, and other distinct areas. Research has stipulated that these characteristics do not indicate a chance for human proliferation.
Impact of NASA’s new findings on planetary models and astronomy in general
Before now, planetary models didn’t shed more light on high water content and the possibility of the existence of water worlds. But with NASA’s recent finding, the preconceived perception of planetary models that we have is set to be vehemently challenged.
Ever heard of the James Webb Space Telescope? This telescope, among many others, is part of NASA’s latest inventions to assist its quest for the unperturbed exploration of the never-ending expanse of the cosmos. Who knows? Maybe more twin water worlds exist in plain sight.
The recently discovered twin planets have set this notion on the stage for serious challenges. We used to theorize and perceive the universe differently, but what if all this time, the approach has been wrong? Just like this strange extraterrestrial beach discovery. What if this is the universe’s way of telling us that we still have quite a long way to go in unravelling the entirety of its stashed secrets?