55 CANCRIE (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: Scientists recently reported the discovery of a thick atmosphere surrounding a, exo-planet (55 Cancrie E) twice the size of Earth in a nearby solar system.

 55 Cancrie - Discovery in a Nearby Solar System

• About: It is classified as a "super Earth" due to its size, being larger than Earth but smaller than Neptune, is an exo-planet orbiting a Sun-like host star 55 Cancri A. .
• Thick Atmosphere Detected: Scientists report the detection of a thick atmosphere around a planet twice the size of Earth in a neighboring solar system.
• Composition of the Atmosphere: The atmosphere of 55 Cancrie consists primarily of carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide, although precise quantities remain unclear.

o This differs from Earth's atmosphere, which primarily comprises nitrogen, oxygen, argon, and other gases.

• Firm Evidence of an Atmosphere: According to astronomer Ian Crossfield, the discovery represents strong evidence of the presence of an atmosphere around 55 Cancrie.
• Boiling Temperatures and Life Possibility: Despite its atmospheric presence, the extreme temperatures on 55 Cancrie, which can soar as high as 2,300°C, make it highly unlikely to support life as we know it.

Related News

• Recently another planet has been discovered which is being called Kh2-18b.
• Kh2-18b
• About: It is an exoplanet that has astronomers excited about the possibility of life.
• Ocean-Covered Super-Earth: This planet is much bigger than Earth, with a radius about 2.6 times larger, and it's believed to be covered in a vast ocean.
• Biosignature Hunt: Scientists are particularly interested in finding a specific gas called dimethyl sulfide (DMS) in K2-18b's atmosphere.
• A Potential Sign of Life: The interesting thing about DMS is that on Earth, it's mainly produced by living organisms, like marine phytoplankton. So, finding DMS on K2-18b could be a strong sign that life exists there.