Editing 2202: Earth-Like Exoplanet
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==Explanation== | ==Explanation== | ||
+ | {{incomplete|Created by an EXOPLANET SURVIVOR. The term "swinging blades" makes sense to me, but I cannot find any references to how and when this is used by googling. Anyone can help improve the explanation about this sentence, with a citation to its use? Please mention here why this explanation isn't complete. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}} | ||
+ | [[Megan]] is making a public statement about the discovery of water in the atmosphere of an [[:Category:Exoplanets|exoplanet]] in the {{w|habitable zone}}, almost, making it the most Earth-like {{w|exoplanet}} we have so far discovered., hence the title But far from stating that this means she is expecting life there, she first lists four characteristics which would be counterproductive for the evolution of life (or at least for complex life forms), before mentioning the detection of water vapor in the atmosphere. Her conclusion is that if there is any life there, we would be most likely to detect it from the screams of pain it would be producing living in such a hostile environment, the negative traits she mentions begin the swinging blades she mentions, that life has to negotiate to prosper in the water rich atmosphere. | ||
− | This comic is a reference to the {{w|K2-18b#Discovery_of_water|recent discovery}} of water vapor in the atmosphere of exoplanet {{w|K2-18b}}. The planet was discovered already in 2015 by the {{w|Kepler (spacecraft)|Kepler Space Observatory}}, orbiting the {{w|red dwarf}} star {{w|K2-18}}. {{w|Extraterrestrial liquid water|Water on exoplanets}} is considered a {{w|biosignature}}, meaning it's an indicator that there could be life there. However, as | + | This comic is a reference to the {{w|K2-18b#Discovery_of_water|recent discovery}} of water vapor in the atmosphere of exoplanet {{w|K2-18b}}. The planet was discovered already in 2015 by the {{w|Kepler (spacecraft)|Kepler Space Observatory}}, orbiting the {{w|red dwarf}} star {{w|K2-18}}. {{w|Extraterrestrial liquid water|Water on exoplanets}} is considered a {{w|biosignature}}, meaning it's an indicator that there could be life there. However, as Megan reveals the planet's other characteristics, it becomes clear that it is unlikely to actually support life, and in fact is actually a horrible hellscape. The question of habitability by higher forms of life is profoundly different than the way {{w|astrobiology|astrobiologists}} use the term for microbes. Even a smaller "survivable zone" doesn't help mitigate just how inhospitable this new wet planet would be to life as we know it, save for as-yet undiscovered {{w|extremophile}} organisms. In the comic [[1231: Habitable Zone]], this zone was the subject. |
− | The planet being {{w|Tidal locking|tidally locked}} indicates that the same side would face the planet's star year-round, meaning half of the planet would be in constant day and the other half would be in constant night. It is believed that {{w|K2-18b#Physical_characteristics|K2-18b is tidally locked}}. Based on our (admittedly limited) understanding of life, {{w|abiogenesis}} can only occur in environments with liquid water; however, the day hemisphere would likely be so hot that all water found there would be in a gaseous state, and all water found in the night hemisphere would likely be frozen due to the | + | The planet being {{w|Tidal locking|tidally locked}} indicates that the same side would face the planet's star year-round, meaning half of the planet would be in constant day and the other half would be in constant night. It is believed that {{w|K2-18b#Physical_characteristics|K2-18b is tidally locked}}. Based on our (admittedly limited) understanding of life, {{w|abiogenesis}} can only occur in environments with liquid water; however, the day hemisphere would likely be so hot that all water found there would be in a gaseous state, and all water found in the night hemisphere would likely be frozen due to the sheer cold. If life were to be found on this exoplanet, it would be in the twilight strip, a thin ring around the edge separating the two hemispheres where sunlight can reach but is refracted by the atmosphere. The environment in the twilight strip would thus experience something akin to an eternal sunset, and temperatures there would be moderate enough to allow life to come about. |
− | Unfortunately, the other characteristics of the exoplanet severely undermine our chances of finding life even in its twilight strip, | + | Unfortunately, the other characteristics of the exoplanet severely undermine our chances of finding life even in its twilight strip. Here is a general description, (of the problems), with the {{w|habitability of red dwarf systems}}. |
− | * {{w | + | * {{w|Stellar flares}} are ejections of radiation and plasma from a star, and it's probable that a planet being blasted with these searing hot flares wouldn't readily support life. These are {{w|Habitability_of_red_dwarf_systems#Variability|common}} for red dwarfs, which can often be of the {{w|flare star}} type. |
− | * Meteors are chunks of material that enter a planet's atmosphere, and if the planet is "blasted" by them it is likely that many of them are impacting the surface, thus becoming meteorites. As we know from {{w|Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event|the extinction of the dinosaurs}}, meteorites can have a | + | * Meteors are chunks of material that enter a planet's atmosphere, and if the planet is "blasted" by them it is likely that many of them are impacting the surface, thus becoming meteorites. As we know from {{w|Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event|the extinction of the dinosaurs}}, meteorites can have a negative effect on a planet's habitability. There seems, however, to be no particular reason to believe this is a particular problem for this type of star system. |
− | * Strong acids are present in some planetary atmospheres, | + | * Strong acids are present in some planetary atmospheres, [https://imaginecosmos.com/tag/sulfuric-acid/ including sulfuric acid in Venus's], and their hypothetical presence in the exoplanet's atmosphere would make life there even less likely. While life that evolves in a highly acidic environment might be able to withstand it, most life on Earth reacts poorly to strong acids. There is no reason to believe that the atmosphere of K2-18b is acidic. Apart from water the {{w|K2-18b#Discovery_of_water|atmosphere mainly consist}} of hydrogen and helium. But there is also reason to believe the planet has {{w|K2-18b#Discovery_of_water|no solid surface}}. |
− | + | "Biosignatures in the form of screaming" suggests that any life that had developed on the planet would be in continuous pain or fear from the environmental conditions. In addition, this suggests that the screaming of these organisms would cause ripples in the atmosphere which we should be able to detect light-years away through the vacuum of space, and that it would be more noticeable than other signs of life (such as the spectra from the ash produced by burning organic material.) | |
− | + | The title text mentions that fire could indicate the presence of life. Sustaining a fire over time requires a sufficient supply of oxidiser. A steady supply of oxygen as oxidiser could be provided by plant life, which is the case on earth. However, the plants known on earth could not survive on a flaming planet. It is worth noting that the title text mentions fire only as a potential biosignature since oxidisers other than oxygen exist and and plants aren't the only possible source of it. It also mentions that such a fire, would help indicate that the planet '''had''' supported life, that is before the planet engulfing fire, caused by the gas released by the past life forms. | |
− | |||
− | The title text mentions that fire could indicate the presence of life. | ||
==Transcript== | ==Transcript== | ||
− | :[ | + | :[Megan is standing behind a lectern, speaking to an off-panel audience to the right, some of which reacts to her statement. At least two reacts as shown by two lines from off panel ending in the same spoken word.] |
:Megan: We've discovered the most earth-like exoplanet yet! | :Megan: We've discovered the most earth-like exoplanet yet! | ||
:Off-panel voices: ''Yay!!'' | :Off-panel voices: ''Yay!!'' | ||
− | :[ | + | :[Frontal view of Megan behind lectern:] |
:Megan: Well, it's in the habitable zone. Habitable-ish. "Habitable." | :Megan: Well, it's in the habitable zone. Habitable-ish. "Habitable." | ||
:Megan: The survivable zone. | :Megan: The survivable zone. | ||
− | :[In a frameless panel with the same | + | :[In a frameless-panel with the same seting as before Megan holds her left hand out with palm up.] |
:Megan: It's tidally locked. And blasted with stellar flares. And probably meteors. And bathed in acid. | :Megan: It's tidally locked. And blasted with stellar flares. And probably meteors. And bathed in acid. | ||
− | :[Closeup | + | :[Closeup view of Megan, now holding up a finger on her left hand. Again an unseen audience member replies.] |
:Megan: But we've detected water vapor! In between all the swinging blades. | :Megan: But we've detected water vapor! In between all the swinging blades. | ||
:Off-panel voice: I see. | :Off-panel voice: I see. |