Do you belong to the group of people who think there is life beyond planet Earth? A new discovery by NASA has been published, in which water has been detected in the form of ice, which could indicate that there is an accumulation of organic molecules directly related to life! It has come through thanks to the NASA´s James Webb Space Telescope. It has occurred in a star with similar characteristics to the Sun, called HD 181327, so this could also shed light on the origin of the planets.
Ice in the space
For the first time, NASA has been able to confirm that water in the form of ice has been detected outside the Solar System, which is a stratospheric advance.Thanks to the James Webb Space Telescope, it has been possible to state that perhaps, everything we know about the formation of life could change.
About 155 light years from Earth, this telescope has detected the star HD 181327, with similar characteristics to the sun- at younger state- which is surrounded by a ring of dust. It was just there where the ice particles have been detected. In addition, the state of this star also gives us the opportunity to study its behavior, which can be extrapolated to the Sun, thus extending what is known about it, and how water started to accumulate on the Earth.
Value for science
The value of this discovery is immeasurable. On the one hand, it reinforces theories that were already valid and, on the other, it opens new research approaches for astronomers, who will be able to broaden their knowledge regarding the creation of new forms of life. This star, the HD 181327 system and its dust ring, have become a living laboratory as it will be possible to study ice clusters containing the organic molecules responsible for developing new habitats.
New discoveries
So far, NASA has revealed a lot of information about the functioning of the Solar System, stars, asteroids, comets and other celestial bodies, but never have they been able to see with such precision evidences that would demonstrate the development of life.
The Webb telescope, thanks to its infrared instruments, has accurately captured the flashes of the dust ring surrounding this star. Several researchers have confirmed that, beyond a doubt, there is water in the form of ice.
In addition, the temperatures in this area are considerably low, which has also helped to keep the water in a solid state. This indicates that the conditions for life to be lived are more common than previously thought.
What´s next?
Now starting a long period of research, discovery and explanation of the behavior of space. Data collected by the Webb Telescope provides solid evidence for researchers to rely on. Besides, given that this star has these never seen characteristics, what makes you think it is the only one? Researchers claim it may be a common patron, which would shed even more light to this discovery. What´s more, the fact that there is ice in the ring of dust is related to the possibility that this warded to comets and asteroids, and that these are those who carry the water, as happened with the primitive Earth.
Many years, resources and professionals have dedicated their lives to outer space research. The data obtained, the information collected and the theories refuted are numerous, thanks to the dedication and effort of the researchers who continue with this voracious hunger for knowledge for everything that still escapes our hands. Discoveries like this make all that work worthwhile, and that we continue to expand our knowledge, getting closer and closer to understanding, once and for all, the origin of the universe.
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