The United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has announced that the Kepler space program has confirmed a planet located in the “habitable zone” due to this planet’s distance from a star similar to the Sun, which is just right for the planet’s surface to not be too hot or too cold, allowing for the presence of water.
Super-Earth Kepler-22b
The newly discovered planet, named Kepler-22b, is the smallest planet found so far within the habitable zone. Kepler-22b has a diameter 2.4 times that of Earth.
Currently, scientists do not know whether the surface of this planet is rocky, gaseous, or a liquid mix. However, the discovery of Kepler-22b is considered a significant step in the exploration of Earth-like planets.
This planet orbits a Sun-like star with an orbital period of 290 days.
According to data observed by scientist William Burrucci, Kepler-22b is located in the constellation Cygnus, approximately 638 light-years from Earth, with a diameter 2.4 times that of Earth. This planet orbits a Sun-like star with an orbital period of 290 days. This star belongs to the G group, which is equivalent to the Sun, although it is slightly smaller and cooler.
These factors alone are not sufficient to classify it as “habitable”; additional factors such as the distance between Kepler-22b and its host star, as well as the star’s temperature and age, are also considered.
Scientists have named the host star of Kepler-22b “Kepler-22.” In comparison, Kepler-22’s mass is 3% less than that of the Sun, and its volume is 2% smaller. Furthermore, Kepler-22 is a yellow dwarf star with a temperature similar to that of our Sun. It can be seen that the natural conditions of Kepler-22 are very similar to those of the Sun, and Kepler-22b is estimated to have a lifespan of 4 billion years.
However, due to the lower mass and volume of Kepler-22 compared to the Sun, if the distance between Kepler-22b and the host star is roughly equivalent to the distance between the Sun and Earth, then the temperature of Kepler-22b would likely be lower than the average temperature of Earth, which may not be conducive to life.
Nonetheless, through numerous observations, studies, and calculations, astronomers have determined that the distance between Kepler-22b and its host star is only 85% of the distance between the Sun and Earth, suggesting that the average surface temperature of Kepler-22b could be around 22°C, similar to that of Earth, making it suitable for liquid water and potentially an ideal “second home” for humanity.
For this reason, in December 2011, NASA officially declared that “Kepler-22b is the first planet in the habitable zone of a Sun-like star in the Kepler project,” but some scientists have raised the question: what if Kepler-22b has no atmosphere? If this is the case, its surface temperature would be only -11°C. However, scientists assessed that after combining observational data, they found that Kepler-22b likely has a relatively thick atmosphere.
Kepler-22b is the only planet confirmed by NASA to have the highest potential for supporting life among the planets discovered so far.
How Can Humanity Reach Kepler-22b?
If we consider the current speed of rockets developed by humanity—10 km/s—humans would take over 18 million years to reach Kepler-22b, a time frame that is far too long for humanity.
The fastest spacecraft currently developed by humanity is NASA’s Parker Solar Probe, which, as it approaches the Sun, can reach speeds of around 692,000 km/h, equivalent to about 192 km/s. At this speed, it would take approximately 1 million years to reach Kepler-22b.
Within this timeframe, humanity might face extinction before ever setting foot on Kepler-22b.
Kepler-22b and Challenges of Habitability
Although the initial conditions may seem ideal, there are still concerning mysteries about Kepler-22b. Some models suggest that this planet may have a tilt similar to Uranus, leading to significant variations in light and darkness at its poles. This could result in extreme summers and winters, with temperatures fluctuating abruptly from boiling to freezing—conditions that are not very favorable for humans.
Additionally, Kepler-22b may have gravity twice that of Earth, making everything heavier and requiring humans to develop significant physical strength to move easily. The high gravity would also impact any plants and animals brought from Earth, necessitating their evolution to adapt to this harsh environment.
The Mystery of Kepler-22b’s Structure
One of the biggest challenges of colonizing Kepler-22b is we still do not know whether this planet is rocky or not. If Kepler-22b is a gas giant like Neptune, constructing a habitat on its surface would be impossible. Instead, we may need to develop floating cities within its atmosphere.
If Kepler-22b is an ocean planet, then creating underwater towns may be a solution. However, this would require advanced technology to ensure safety and stability in a deep underwater environment.
Even if Kepler-22b is a rocky planet, the possibility that it has a dense atmosphere with greenhouse gases, similar to Venus, cannot be ruled out. If this is the case, the surface temperature may be too hot for liquid water to exist, and habitation on this planet would only be feasible within underground structures.
We still do not know whether this planet is rocky or not.
Potential for Life on Kepler-22b: Hopes and Challenges
Kepler-22b may be covered by an ocean up to 50 meters deep, which could help maintain a temperate climate, thanks to its ability to store heat during the summer and release it in winter. This brings hope for a more stable living environment compared to other planets in the galaxy.
However, building infrastructure strong enough to protect humanity from high gravity, harsh climates, and uncertain environmental conditions is a tremendous challenge. To succeed, settlers will need not only robust physical capabilities but also advanced technology to maintain health and life in this uncertain environment.
If Kepler-22b has an atmosphere similar to Earth’s, with oxygen and nitrogen, it might support forms of life akin to our own. However, due to its larger size, gravity on this planet may be stronger, impacting living organisms.
The discovery and study of Kepler-22b open up new possibilities for the future of humanity in space. However, living on this planet remains a distant prospect, requiring significant advancements in science and technology.
While Kepler-22b may become a new home in the future, Earth remains the most perfect planet for human life. The delicate balance of climate and environment on Earth is something we must protect, as any minor changes could jeopardize our survival on this planet.
In space, due to microgravity, human muscles transition from “tense state” to “relaxed state.” Human muscles will no longer be as flexible and strong as when living on Earth. After 5 to 11 days, muscle atrophy can reach up to 20%. Without effective muscle stimulation, the process of bone tissue loss will also accelerate. According to NASA reports, astronauts will lose 1.5% of bone tissue each month in space, equivalent to the rate of bone loss experienced by elderly individuals over a year on Earth. While these effects alone may not be life-threatening, radiation is present everywhere in space. According to reports from the International Space Station, astronauts receive daily radiation doses of 0.7 to 1 mSv, and the radiation exposure they receive over three months is equivalent to what a normal person would experience over 60 years on Earth! |
