MAQ Magazine n. 10 / February 2019
Astronomers announced its new-found planet – labeled Barnard b (or GJ 699 b) – as recently as November 2018. Last week (January 10, 2019) – at the 233rd meeting of the American Astronomical Society (AAS) in Seattle, Washington – astronomers from Villanova University explained their new work showing that – although this world is likely cold (-170 degrees Celsius or -254 Fahrenheit) – it could still have the potential to harbor primitive life.
Artist’s concept of our inner solar system – Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars – in contrast to Barnard’s star and its planet, Barnard b. The planet is near its star, but the star is dim and doesn’t provide much heat. A new study probes the possibility for life on Barnard b. Image via Villanova University.
In order for Barnard b to have some form of life, these astronomers said, the planet needs another heat source. They suggested a large, hot iron/nickel core – much as Earth has – and enhanced geothermal activity.
Geothermal heating could support ‘life zones’ under its surface, akin to subsurface lakes found
in Antarctica. We note that the surface temperature on Jupiter’s icy moon Europa is similar to
Barnard b but, because of tidal heating, Europa probably has liquid oceans under its icy surface.
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