Distant Planet’s Gas Atmosphere: Is TOI-270 d Covered in an Ocean or Dense Atmosphere?

TOI-270 d, a distant exoplanet, has been the subject of intense debate among scientists regarding its potential habitability. While the composition of its gas atmosphere is now known, the interpretation of its surface varies widely. The James Webb Space Telescope has detected chemical compounds in the planet’s atmosphere, suggesting the presence of water vapor, methane, and carbon dioxide.

A team of astronomers from Cantabrigian university believes that these chemical compounds indicate the presence of an ocean covering the entire surface of TOI-270 d. According to their interpretation, the ocean’s temperature could reach over a hundred degrees Celsius. This theory is based on the absence of ammonia in the atmosphere, which suggests that there is no liquid water on the planet’s surface.

However, another group of astronomers from Canada has a different interpretation of the data. They believe that TOI-270 d is too hot for liquid water to exist on its surface, with temperatures reaching up to 4,000 degrees Celsius. Instead, they propose that the planet has a very dense atmosphere of hydrogen and water vapor.

TOI-270 d is locked in its orbit, meaning that it always presents the same side to its parent star while the other side remains in darkness. This results in extreme temperature variations on the planet. Some scientists believe that life could still exist in the borderlands between night and day, where temperatures are more moderate.

Overall, further research and observations are needed to determine whether TOI-270 d can support life or not. Its unique combination of extreme heat and extreme cold makes it an intriguing world to study and explore further.