Scientists have been watching closely for signs of extraterrestrial life for a long time, and Proxima B was recently discovered. This exoplanet is orbiting a star only 4.2 light-years away from Earth. This finding has sparked renewed interest.
The planet is confirmed to be located within the star’s habitable zone. With a similar mass to Earth and matching the age of its own star, it is considered promising to support the existence of life.
A recent study published in the journal Astrobiology suggests that liquid water may exist on the planet Proxima b. We know water is a key element for life.
The researchers tried to match simulations of Proxima b’s water location with the ocean. This is the first such research in the field of extraterrestrials. Proxima B always faces the star on one side and is always dark on the other side.
Water on the dark side is frozen in nature. There may also be ocean locations that are known from simulations. So the location of liquid water within the planet can play a significant role.
Scientists hypothesize that a habitable climate may exist on the planet Proxima b. Even at night, the nature of this climate will not change much. Much depends on the nature of the water there.
An example is the salinity level. It also remains to be seen what the concentration of greenhouse gases there is. But the researchers cautioned that Proxima b’s temperature would be quite cold. But the discovery of liquid water there is thought to be a major step in the search for life outside our solar system.