![\"Barnard's](\"https:\/\/wp-assets.futurism.com\/2019\/01\/Super-Earth-300x158.png\")
<\/div>Icy Home<\/h2>
The exoplanet Barnard’s Star b might be frigid, but that doesn’t mean it couldn’t support life.<\/p>
At least, that’s the claim of a team of astrophysicists from Villanova University. They say that while the surface temperature of Barnard’s Star b — the second-closest known exoplanet to Earth — is likely around -170 degrees Celsius (-274 degrees Fahrenheit), it could still host primitive life<\/a> — as long at it has the right kind of core.<\/p> The scientists presented their research<\/a> during a press conference on Thursday at a meeting of the American Astronomy Society (AAS). They claim that a large, hot iron <\/strong>core could allow the planet to host life despite its frigid surface temperature.<\/p> “Geothermal heating could support ‘life zones’ under its surface, akin to subsurface lakes found in Antarctica,” researcher Edward Guinan said in a press release<\/a>. “We note that the surface temperature on Jupiter’s icy moon Europa is similar to Barnard b but, because of tidal heating, Europa probably has liquid oceans under its icy surface.”<\/p> The researchers are hopeful that future telescopes, such as the James Webb Space Telescope, will provided astrophysicists with a better look at Barnard’s Star b.<\/p> “Such observations will shed light on the nature of the planet’s atmosphere, surface, and potential habitability,” Guinan said.<\/p> Right now, the launch of the Webb is scheduled for 2021<\/a>, so we might not have to wait too long to find out whether the exoplanet in our galactic backyard<\/a> is home to life.<\/p> READ MORE:<\/strong> Conditions for Life Might Exist on the New Planet Discovered Around Barnard’s Star<\/a> [Discover<\/em>]<\/p> More on Barnard’s Star: Scientists Just Discovered the Second-Closest Exoplanet to Earth<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p> The post One of the Closest Exoplanets to Earth Could Support Alien Life<\/a> appeared first on Futurism<\/a>.<\/p> Go here to see the original: Icy Home The exoplanet Barnard\u2019s Star b might be frigid, but that doesn\u2019t mean it couldn\u2019t support life. At least, that\u2019s the claim of a team of astrophysicists from Villanova University Continue reading Life Zones<\/h2>
Looking Up<\/h2>
One of the Closest Exoplanets to Earth Could Support Alien Life<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"