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Nasa Discovers Potential Ocean World 73 Light-Years Away

9/5/2025

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Summary

Story summary

NASA identified TOI-270d, a sub-Neptune exoplanet with a potential hydrogen ocean, 73 light-years away in Pictor.
It has a mass 4.8 times that of Earth and a radius over twice that of Earth.
The James Webb Space Telescope detected methane and carbon dioxide in its atmosphere, indicating possible ocean presence.
Webb will advance exoplanet research through transmission spectroscopy and high-resolution infrared data.
A study found a CO2-rich planet-forming disk, challenging prior views on water's prevalence in these regions.

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Story summary

NASA identified TOI-270d, a sub-Neptune exoplanet with a potential hydrogen ocean, 73 light-years away in Pictor.
It has a mass 4.8 times that of Earth and a radius over twice that of Earth.
The James Webb Space Telescope detected methane and carbon dioxide in its atmosphere, indicating possible ocean presence.
Webb will advance exoplanet research through transmission spectroscopy and high-resolution infrared data.
A study found a CO2-rich planet-forming disk, challenging prior views on water's prevalence in these regions.