By Ph. RECLUS
The discoveries of exoplanets follow one another. The latest planets to be talked about are the seven planets around TRAPPIST 1. This is really interesting, because all the planets have a similar mass to Earth and at least a few of them are found in a sort of habitable zone, depending on how we define it. The star is, of course, an M dwarf. The planets are therefore very close and we can assume that they are in phase with the star. They will constitute interesting targets to study with the JWST. What do you think the planets will look like? Will they have an atmosphere and liquid water? Will they be dead rocks? Will there be life?
The planets of the TRAPPIST-1 system are rocky worlds, similar to Earth in size and mass. They orbit a red dwarf, a star smaller and cooler than the Sun. This means that the planets are closer to their star than Earth is to the Sun, and therefore receive more light and heat.
The presence of an atmosphere on the planets of the TRAPPIST-1 system is still an open question. Current observations do not allow us to definitively decide, but they suggest that some of the planets could have a gaseous atmosphere. If so, the atmosphere could be made up of water, carbon dioxide, nitrogen and other gases.
The presence of liquid water on the planets of the TRAPPIST-1 system is also an open question. The surface temperature of planets depends on their distance from the star, their composition and their atmosphere. Current observations suggest that some of the planets may have sufficient temperature for liquid water to exist on the surface.
It is also possible that the planets in the TRAPPIST-1 system are dead rocks, without atmospheres or liquid water. This could be the case if the planets are too close to the star, or if they have a composition unsuitable for life.
Finally, the presence of life on the planets of the TRAPPIST-1 system is an even more open question. Life is a complex phenomenon that depends on many factors, including the presence of liquid water, atmosphere and nutrients. Current observations do not allow us to say whether life exists on the planets of the TRAPPIST-1 system.
The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) should be able to answer some of these questions. The JWST is a very powerful infrared telescope, which will be able to observe the planets of the TRAPPIST-1 system in detail. The JWST should be able to determine whether planets have atmospheres, and to characterize this atmosphere. The JWST should also be able to measure the surface temperature of planets, which will help determine whether liquid water exists on the surface.
JWST’s observations of the TRAPPIST-1 system could be revolutionary. They could help us understand how life forms and evolves in the Universe.