Since its discovery two years ago in 2016, questions have been raised about Proxima b, namely the condition of the eerie planet’s surface, believed to be similar to Earth’s.
A recent study on the planet, that orbits within the habitable zone of a star 4.2 list years away from Earth, suggests Proxima B contains a large amount of liquid water.
This also suggests that under the right conditions it could also support life.
Researchers ran climate simulations of Proxima b with a dynamic ocean.
The results revealed the planet is locked in tidally with its star, Proxima Centauri, meaning it experiences day and night.
While any water on the planet’s “nightside” would be permanently frozen, it’s “dayside” tells a different story.
Researchers said in the study: “Climate models with static oceans suggest that Proxima b could harbour a small dayside surface ocean despite its weak instellation.”
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