The James Webb space telescope has once again astounded scientists with new revelations about the distant exoplanet TOI-270 D, believed to be covered with a boiling ocean. Located in the TOI-270 system, this Neptune subtype exoplanet has been aptly named the “water world with the boiling ocean.”
Researchers utilized powerful JWST tools, such as the NIRSPEC G395H spectrograph (operating in the 2.7-5.2 microns range) and the HST WFC3 spectrograph (operating in the 1.1-1.6 microns range), to analyze the atmospheric composition of TOI-270 D. Their findings revealed significant traces of methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2), while the absence of ammonia (NH3) is seen as an indication of the existence of an ocean. Ammonia typically dissolves in water, thus its absence in the atmosphere suggests an ocean beneath.
Professor Niku Madhusudhan, leading the analysis, suggested that the presence of such an ocean could be explained by TOI-270 D being a “hydrocan” world with a water ocean below a hydrogen-rich atmosphere. The constant tidal lock of the exoplanet results in extreme temperatures and a boiling ocean on one side, potentially creating more habitable conditions on the reverse side. However, the atmospheric pressure on TOI-270 D is expected to be significantly higher than that of Earth.
Furthermore, traces of carbon sulfide (CS2) and possible indications of water (H2O) were detected, hinting at potential biological processes. However, scientists urge caution in jumping to conclusions about the presence of life on the planet.
The discovery of TOI-270 D is part of JWST’s various programs, involving the use of tools such as NIRISS, NIRSPEC, and MIRI. This research marks a crucial advancement in understanding the atmospheric properties of low mass, moderately warm exoplanets, heralding a new era in exoplanet exploration. The detailed study has been published in the journal “Astronomy and Astrophysics Letters.”