Water around white dwarf raises prospects of water-rich planets
Water around white dwarf raises prospects of water-rich planets
AFP-JIJI
May 7, 2015
PARIS – Large amounts of water may exist on numerous deep-space bodies, said a study Thursday that raises the theoretical odds of another planet like Earth sporting the life-giving resource.
The findings, published by the Royal Astronomical Society, are based on the discovery of “a large quantity” of hydrogen and oxygen, the two chemical ingredients of water, in the atmosphere of a white dwarf star.
The find, based on observations by the William Herschel Telescope in the Canary Islands, revealed that the quantity of water found on Earth is not unique, said a statement by Britain’s University of Warwick, whose astronomers made the discovery.
“Water delivery via asteroids or comets is likely taking place in many other planetary systems, just as it happened on Earth,” it said. “The research findings add further support to the possibility water can be delivered to Earth-like planets via such bodies (as asteroids and comets) to create a suitable environment for the formation of life.”
More:
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2015/05/07/world/science-health-world/water-around-white-dwarf-raises-prospects-water-rich-planets/#.VUwhomdFCYE
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(Sorry, I just love the sound of the word, snorkel.)
