Scientists have announced the first ever discovery of water vapour on an alien world outside our solar system. We bring you the lead author on the paper that made the discovery Professor Giovanna Tinetti of University College London in this episode of The Cosmic Shed.
An artists impression of K2-18b (not a Star Wars Droid but a watery exoplanet)
Just a few years ago, exoplanets (planets orbiting other stars than our own) were theorised but we'd never actually detected any. With improving techniques, telescopes and technology, astronomers have now found over 4000 and begun to be able to peak into their atmospheres. It's worth stopping for a moment to think about. Planets orbiting stars lightyears away from Earth and astronomers can peer into the their atmosphere by analysing the light signatures. Truly astounding. Perhaps even more wonderfully, one of the very first planets to reveal its atmosphere to us has revealed water vapour.
Water is essential for life on Earth.
Listen now to Professor Giovanna Tinetti on The Cosmic Shed.
Prof Giovanna Tinetti tells The Cosmic Shed about the watery exoplanet K2-18b
If you want to gaze up at K2-18b and wonder what might be floating or wandering around there, you'll find the star it orbits around the constellation of Leo.
We also discuss Ad Astra.
Brad Pitt in Ad Astra
Show notes
Get your tickets for our double bill of Tron and Tron Legacy with added science here.
WarGames
Black Panther
Michaela Musilova is going back to Mars!
Peter Beck, Falcon Heavy and the Humanity Star
Artemis: Andy Weir recorded live in the Planetarium
Gremlins - Zach Galligan
Chewbacca - Joonas Suamoto
Blue Planet 2
Blade Runner 2049 - Making the Look of the Film
Douglas Vakoch on Star Trek Discovery and Contacting Aliens
The Physics of Star Wars
Kate Davies-Speak
Blade Runner 2049 - Everything You Want to Hear
Star Trek Discovery: Prof Ethan Siegel
Astronauts: Does Tim Gregory have what it takes?
War for the Planet of the Apes
Nichelle Nichols, Warwick Davis and Eugene Simon
Hannah Peel talks music, science and a shed.
October Sky (pt.2) Searching for our Sputnik
October Sky (pt.1): Homer Hickam - Rocket Boy to Dinosaur Man
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