Water-rich planets which some scientists believe may provide the answer to humanity's biggest question are now being studied by astronomers.
The "steam worlds", also known as sub-Neptunes, could point scientists towards looking at new locations where alien life might be found.
These worlds, dubbed “steam planets,” orbit so close to their stars that they are wrapped in thick, vapour-heavy atmospheres.
First predicted more than two decades ago, these types of planets have sparked growing curiosity among scientists surrounding their evolution and how they initially formed.
'Steam planets' orbit so close to their stars that they’re wrapped in thick, vapor-heavy atmospheres
|GETTY
Researchers at the University of California, Santa Cruz, have created a more advanced model to study their composition, which has shed light on how such planets may have been created.
Artem Aguichine, who led the development of the new model, said: “By learning how the most common planets in the universe take shape, we can then focus on the rarer exoplanets that may truly be capable of supporting life.”
For the first time ever, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has detected steam on several sub-Neptune planets.
Astronomers are predicting the JWST to detect many more and believe the new models could prove crucial in linking what is seen in the planets’ atmospheres to their internal composition.
Researchers at the University of California, Santa Cruz, have created a more advanced model to study their composition
|UC SANTA CRUZ
Professor Natalie Batalha, the study's co-author, said: "The interiors of planets are natural 'laboratories' for studying conditions that are difficult to reproduce in a university laboratory on Earth.
"What we learn could have unforeseen applications we haven't even considered. The water worlds are especially exotic in this sense.
"In the future, we may find that a subset of these water worlds represent new niches for life in the galaxy."
Her colleague Mr Aguichine added: "Life can be understood as complexity and water has a wide range of properties that enables this complexity."
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For the first time ever, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has detected steam on several sub-Neptune planets
| ESAHe added that the advanced model not only offers static snapshots of sub-Neptunes, but tracks their evolution over millions or even billions of years.
Mr Aguichine also said that since planetary properties alter dramatically over time, accounting for this evolution is key to making accurate predictions.
The models will soon be tested through ongoing JWST observations and future missions, including the European Space Agency’s Plato telescope, which aims to locate Earth-like planets in the habitable zones of their stars.
Mr Aguichine explained: "Plato will be able to tell us how accurate our models are, and in what direction we need to refine them.
"So really, our models are currently making these predictions for the telescopes, while helping shape the next steps in the search for life beyond Earth."
The University of California's study has been published in The Astrophysical Journal.
The first individual "steam world" to be identified was observed by the JWST in October last year and is believed roughly 100 light-years away from Earth.
However, the planet, which was named GJ 9827 d, is believed to be unable to support life.