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Artist’s Impression of Exoplanet K2-18b
This artist's impression shows the planet K2-18b, its host star and an accompanying planet in this system. K2-18b is now the only super-Earth exoplanet known to host both water and temperatures that could support life.
University College London researchers used archive data from 2016 and 2017 captured by the NASA's Hubble Space Telescope and developed open-source algorithms to analyze the starlight filtered through K2-18b's atmosphere. The results revealed the molecular signature of water vapor, also indicating the presence of hydrogen and helium in the planet's atmosphere.
About the Object
- R.A. PositionR.A. PositionRight ascension – analogous to longitude – is one component of an object's position.11:30:14.5
- Dec. PositionDec. PositionDeclination – analogous to latitude – is one component of an object's position.+07:35:18
- ConstellationConstellationOne of 88 recognized regions of the celestial sphere in which the object appears.Leo
- DistanceDistanceThe physical distance from Earth to the astronomical object. Distances within our solar system are usually measured in Astronomical Units (AU). Distances between stars are usually measured in light-years. Interstellar distances can also be measured in parsecs.About 110 light-years
- Object NameObject NameA name or catalog number that astronomers use to identify an astronomical object.K2-18b
- Object DescriptionObject DescriptionThe type of astronomical object.Exoplanet
- Release DateSeptember 13, 2019
- Science ReleaseHubble Finds Water Vapor on Habitable-Zone Exoplanet for First Time
- CreditESA/Hubble, M. Kornmesser
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Details
Last Updated
Mar 28, 2025
Contact
Media
Claire Andreoli
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center
Greenbelt, Maryland
claire.andreoli@nasa.gov
