Proxima B Exoplanet Could Be Covered in Water -- Life Outside Earth Possible?

Researchers at the CNRS research institute in France have discovered that Proxima b, the nearest Earth-like exoplanet, could have a surface covered with oceans. With this astounding discovery, the question lies -- is life outside Earth possible?

According to the researchers, it's possible that Proxima b is the first exoplanet outside our Solar System that could have a potential to be a second Earth, with robots visiting it for further exploration in the future, as per AFP.

Proxima b is an exoplanet located near our Sun and in a "habitable zone" hosted by a neighboring star, Proxima Centauri. Even though Proxima Centauri is relatively weaker than our Sun, Proxima b lies 7.5 million kilometers from it -- the perfect distance to harness an environment that could potentially cater life.

"Contrary to what one might expect, such proximity does not necessarily mean that Proxima b's surface is too hot," said CNRS in a statement. "The planet may very well host liquid water on its surface, and therefore also some forms of life."

The new findings, published in the Astrophysical Journal, reveal that Proxima b's has a radius of about 0.94 to 1.4 of the Earth. This means that Proxima b's water could make up 0.05 percent of the planet -- an extremely close percentage to the 0.02 percent water on Earth.

"In this case, Proxima b would be covered by a single, liquid ocean 200 km deep. In both cases, a thin, gassy atmosphere could surround the planet, like on Earth, rendering Proxima b potentially habitable," CNSR concluded.

So could life be possible on Proxima b? To recall, back in September, the European Southern Observatory (ESO) has announced that the exoplanet, located some four light-years away, is one of the best Earth-like planet discovered so far, Phys Org reports.

"Everything we know about Proxima b suggests that, although it is different, it shares similar features with the Earth such that it could be a life-friendly planet," said Mikko Toumi of the University of Hertfordshire, adding that the exoplanet shows all potential ingredients for life.

"First, we need rock, and Proxima b indeed is a planet that certainly has a rocky surface. Second, the most common molecule in the universe, water, has to be present. We have no evidence of this, but water can be found everywhere in space and there are no reasons why it would not exist on the surface of Proxima b—and the temperatures on its surface likely allow the water to be liquid and for oceans as well. Third, there needs to be carbon dioxide, but that is simply a common primitive atmospheric molecule on all the Earth-sized planets in the solar system," Tuomi noted.