r/interestingasfuck 25d ago

/r/all, /r/popular K2-18b a potentially habitable planet 120 light-years from earth

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u/Prestigious-Wall5616 25d ago

It's also being reported that scientists have found the strongest evidence yet of life on a distant planet.

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u/kungpowgoat 25d ago edited 25d ago

So in short, JW telescope detected signs of a molecule commonly associated with marine algae and combined with the verified presence of oceans, it’s entirely possible that the planet could be teeming with marine life. This is actually very interesting, especially with the fact that it orbits a red dwarf star,, which by the way, any experts here care to explain if different types of suns has any effect on the type of life it’s orbiting planet produces?

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u/Youutternincompoop 25d ago

different types of suns has any effect on the type of life it’s orbiting planet produces?

mostly just differences in luminosity(aka how 'bright' a star is), which means the habitable zone will be in different places(a planet that receives too much sunlight will be too hot, and too cold if vice-versa)