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Scientists have identified the chemical composition of the atmosphere of the planet GJ 1132b. As it turned out, this planet is similar to Earth not only in size.
According to researchers from the University of Kiel (Germany), GJ 1132b is located in the constellation Vela. It revolves around the red dwarf star GJ 1132 remotely from Earth just 39 light-years. Its diameter is only 10% larger than the Earth, and its mass is about 1.5 times higher than that of our planet.
Due to the small distance between the stars and planets on the surface of the latter prevails relatively high temperature of about 100-300 degrees Celsius.
Atmosphere of GJ 1132b was able to study with the help of a powerful telescope La Silla Observatory in Chile. As it turned out, the planet - dense and opaque atmosphere consisting essentially of water vapor and methane.
Astronomers believe, GJ 1132b may be a planet-ocean, almost completely covered with water, like Europe or Enceladus. Life in these conditions are unlikely to exist, but the possibility of its presence in the colder layers of the ocean GJ 1132b could be excluded.
In recent years, astronomers have discovered several planets, which according to preliminary estimates, similar to Earth. They are similar to our planet in size and density, and are in the so-called zone of life. This means that exoplanets water may exist on the surface in liquid form, RIA News.
Some of them, such as Proxima Centauri b, or three planets of the star TRAPPIST-1, located very close to the solar system, and some scientists are already considering the possibility of sending probes to them.
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