K2-18b is an exoplanet discovered by NASA’s Kepler Space Telescope. It is located in the Leo constellation and is about 120 light-years away from Earth.
đź” Its special features:
Size:
K2-18b is about 8 times larger than Earth and has a mass about 2.6 times greater. It is called “Super Earth” or “Mini Neptune.”
Habitability Zone:
It is in the habitable zone of its star (K2-18), which means there is a possibility of liquid water there.
Atmosphere:
In 2019, scientists found the presence of water vapor in it.
In 2023, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) also found signs of methane and carbon dioxide in it.
This means there may be biosignature gases, which means chemicals necessary for life may be present there.
Surface Conditions:
Scientists have not yet determined if it has ocean-like water on its surface or if it is a gaseous planet. If it is too gaseous, it will not be habitable for humans.
🚀 So is it another Earth?
👉 Not yet!
It is true that there may be water and carbon-based molecules on K2-18b, but its gravity, radiation level, and atmospheric pressure may be very different from Earth.
Life may exist there in the form of microorganisms, but the possibility of human settlement is still very low.
🛰️ Conclusion:
K2-18b is not a “second Earth,” but it is one of the most promising candidates so far where life is expected to be found outside the Earth.