1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:02,040 Picture this. 2 00:00:02,040 --> 00:00:03,800 You're out there exploring space, right? 3 00:00:03,800 --> 00:00:05,040 You're charting new territories. 4 00:00:05,040 --> 00:00:06,440 You're searching for new worlds. 5 00:00:06,440 --> 00:00:08,560 And suddenly, you stumble upon a star. 6 00:00:08,560 --> 00:00:10,560 Not just any star, though. 7 00:00:10,560 --> 00:00:13,000 This one is a red dwarf, much smaller and cooler 8 00:00:13,000 --> 00:00:14,040 than our own sun. 9 00:00:14,040 --> 00:00:15,440 It's called Trappist-1. 10 00:00:15,440 --> 00:00:16,840 Trappist-2-1. 11 00:00:16,840 --> 00:00:19,720 OK, so what's so special about this little star? 12 00:00:19,720 --> 00:00:20,280 Well, get this. 13 00:00:20,280 --> 00:00:23,780 It's got not one, not two, but seven Earth-sized planets 14 00:00:23,780 --> 00:00:24,760 orbiting it. 15 00:00:24,760 --> 00:00:25,620 Seven planets. 16 00:00:25,620 --> 00:00:25,920 Hold on. 17 00:00:25,920 --> 00:00:27,380 I've got to wrap my head around that. 18 00:00:27,380 --> 00:00:30,560 Seven Earth-sized planets orbiting this one little red 19 00:00:30,560 --> 00:00:31,960 dwarf star. 20 00:00:31,960 --> 00:00:33,360 What are the chances of that? 21 00:00:33,360 --> 00:00:34,760 And here's the kicker. 22 00:00:34,760 --> 00:00:36,680 Three of those planets, they're nestled right 23 00:00:36,680 --> 00:00:37,680 in the habitable zone. 24 00:00:37,680 --> 00:00:38,840 The habitable zone meaning? 25 00:00:38,840 --> 00:00:40,480 Meaning they're at just the right distance 26 00:00:40,480 --> 00:00:43,160 from the star for liquid water to potentially exist. 27 00:00:43,160 --> 00:00:43,840 Liquid water. 28 00:00:43,840 --> 00:00:44,340 Oh! 29 00:00:44,340 --> 00:00:46,120 That's the key ingredient for life as we know it. 30 00:00:46,120 --> 00:00:46,840 Exactly. 31 00:00:46,840 --> 00:00:48,760 So you can imagine why astronomers are so 32 00:00:48,760 --> 00:00:49,920 excited about this system. 33 00:00:49,920 --> 00:00:50,800 I can only imagine. 34 00:00:50,800 --> 00:00:51,480 This is huge. 35 00:00:51,480 --> 00:00:54,360 And to think Trappist-1 is relatively close to us, too. 36 00:00:54,360 --> 00:00:57,240 Yeah, just a hop, skip, and a jump away in cosmic terms 37 00:00:57,240 --> 00:00:59,120 only about 39 light years. 38 00:00:59,120 --> 00:01:00,760 Practically next door. 39 00:01:00,760 --> 00:01:04,440 So we've got this system with seven Earth-sized planets, 40 00:01:04,440 --> 00:01:07,080 three of which are potentially habitable. 41 00:01:07,080 --> 00:01:09,000 This is mind-blowing stuff, folks. 42 00:01:09,000 --> 00:01:11,920 Welcome to Cosmos in a Pod, the space and astronomy series. 43 00:01:11,920 --> 00:01:13,720 Please like, comment, share, and subscribe. 44 00:01:13,720 --> 00:01:15,800 It's a gold mine for scientific discovery. 45 00:01:15,800 --> 00:01:18,280 OK, so let's break this down a bit. 46 00:01:18,280 --> 00:01:21,000 We've got seven Earth-sized planets, three 47 00:01:21,000 --> 00:01:22,560 in the habitable zone. 48 00:01:22,560 --> 00:01:25,280 But what else makes Trappist-1 so unique? 49 00:01:25,280 --> 00:01:27,200 Well, let's start with the star itself. 50 00:01:27,200 --> 00:01:30,080 Red dwarfs, like I said, they're much smaller and cooler 51 00:01:30,080 --> 00:01:30,880 than our sun. 52 00:01:30,880 --> 00:01:32,320 So if the star is cooler, does that 53 00:01:32,320 --> 00:01:34,200 mean the habitable zone is closer in? 54 00:01:34,200 --> 00:01:34,720 You got it. 55 00:01:34,720 --> 00:01:36,360 The habitable zone around a red dwarf 56 00:01:36,360 --> 00:01:38,320 is much tighter than the one around our sun. 57 00:01:38,320 --> 00:01:38,800 Wazing. 58 00:01:38,800 --> 00:01:41,480 I mean, the planets in the Trappist-1 system, 59 00:01:41,480 --> 00:01:43,400 they're all huddled up close to their star. 60 00:01:43,400 --> 00:01:45,080 Their orbits are much smaller. 61 00:01:45,080 --> 00:01:46,920 So how long are we talking about for a year 62 00:01:46,920 --> 00:01:48,040 on one of these planets? 63 00:01:48,040 --> 00:01:50,280 Think days, not years. 64 00:01:50,280 --> 00:01:51,960 Geez, wow. 65 00:01:51,960 --> 00:01:53,160 That's a fast-paced life. 66 00:01:53,160 --> 00:01:55,640 And here's where things get even more interesting. 67 00:01:55,640 --> 00:01:59,040 These planets are tidally locked to their star. 68 00:01:59,040 --> 00:01:59,960 Tidally locked. 69 00:01:59,960 --> 00:02:02,120 Now, that's a term I haven't heard in a while. 70 00:02:02,120 --> 00:02:03,280 Remind me what that means. 71 00:02:03,280 --> 00:02:04,920 It means that one side of the planet 72 00:02:04,920 --> 00:02:08,000 is always facing the star, just like how the same side 73 00:02:08,000 --> 00:02:10,000 of our moon always faces the Earth. 74 00:02:10,000 --> 00:02:11,760 Oh, yeah, so there's an eternal day side 75 00:02:11,760 --> 00:02:13,240 and an eternal night side. 76 00:02:13,240 --> 00:02:14,240 Exactly. 77 00:02:14,240 --> 00:02:16,660 One side bathed in perpetual sunlight, 78 00:02:16,660 --> 00:02:19,000 the other shrouded in perpetual darkness. 79 00:02:19,000 --> 00:02:21,520 I can't even begin to imagine what kind of impact 80 00:02:21,520 --> 00:02:23,240 that would have on a planet's environment. 81 00:02:23,240 --> 00:02:26,600 You're talking extreme temperature differences. 82 00:02:26,600 --> 00:02:29,640 The day side could be scorching hot, potentially too hot 83 00:02:29,640 --> 00:02:32,560 for liquid water to exist on the surface, 84 00:02:32,560 --> 00:02:35,360 while the night side would be frigid and frozen solid. 85 00:02:35,360 --> 00:02:38,800 So no chance of life on either of those extremes, right? 86 00:02:38,800 --> 00:02:41,080 But what about the area in between? 87 00:02:41,080 --> 00:02:42,640 You're thinking of the twilight zone, 88 00:02:42,640 --> 00:02:44,120 the region between the extremes. 89 00:02:44,120 --> 00:02:45,440 Right on the edge of light and darkness. 90 00:02:45,440 --> 00:02:46,040 Exactly. 91 00:02:46,040 --> 00:02:49,200 In the zone, temperatures might be more temperate, potentially 92 00:02:49,200 --> 00:02:51,000 just right for liquid water to exist, 93 00:02:51,000 --> 00:02:52,840 and maybe even for life as we know it. 94 00:02:52,840 --> 00:02:54,840 OK, so let's dive into some of these potentially 95 00:02:54,840 --> 00:02:56,920 habitable planets. 96 00:02:56,920 --> 00:03:00,160 First up, we have Trappist-1 Green. 97 00:03:00,160 --> 00:03:01,840 This one caught my eye because it's 98 00:03:01,840 --> 00:03:04,480 been described as a potential water world. 99 00:03:04,480 --> 00:03:06,120 And for good reason. 100 00:03:06,120 --> 00:03:08,840 It's the furthest out of the three potentially habitable 101 00:03:08,840 --> 00:03:09,720 planets. 102 00:03:09,720 --> 00:03:12,000 And based on its density, scientists 103 00:03:12,000 --> 00:03:14,520 believe it could be covered in a vast global ocean. 104 00:03:14,520 --> 00:03:15,760 A global ocean? 105 00:03:15,760 --> 00:03:18,560 Are we talking like Earth's oceans or something even bigger? 106 00:03:18,560 --> 00:03:20,600 Think bigger, much bigger. 107 00:03:20,600 --> 00:03:22,920 Some scientists believe Trappist-1 G's ocean 108 00:03:22,920 --> 00:03:26,040 could be even larger than all of Earth's oceans combined. 109 00:03:26,040 --> 00:03:28,520 Whoa, that's a lot of water. 110 00:03:28,520 --> 00:03:30,800 But if the surface is frozen solid, 111 00:03:30,800 --> 00:03:32,480 how can there be a liquid ocean? 112 00:03:32,480 --> 00:03:35,720 It's a subsurface ocean hidden beneath a thick layer of ice. 113 00:03:35,720 --> 00:03:37,680 Like Europa, one of Jupiter's moons. 114 00:03:37,680 --> 00:03:40,640 Exactly, except much, much larger. 115 00:03:40,640 --> 00:03:42,360 So even though it's icy on the surface, 116 00:03:42,360 --> 00:03:44,640 there could be a whole hidden world teeming 117 00:03:44,640 --> 00:03:46,160 with life beneath the ice. 118 00:03:46,160 --> 00:03:47,360 That's the hope. 119 00:03:47,360 --> 00:03:49,680 And if there are hydrothermal vents on the ocean floor, 120 00:03:49,680 --> 00:03:51,240 like those found on Earth, they could 121 00:03:51,240 --> 00:03:53,960 provide the energy and nutrients needed for life to thrive, 122 00:03:53,960 --> 00:03:55,720 even without sunlight. 123 00:03:55,720 --> 00:03:57,040 That's fascinating. 124 00:03:57,040 --> 00:03:59,080 OK, so we've got this icy ocean world 125 00:03:59,080 --> 00:04:00,680 with the potential for life. 126 00:04:00,680 --> 00:04:02,320 What about Trappist-1? 127 00:04:02,320 --> 00:04:04,680 This one has been dubbed the eyeball planet. 128 00:04:04,680 --> 00:04:06,680 That's a pretty accurate description. 129 00:04:06,680 --> 00:04:08,080 It gets its nickname from the way 130 00:04:08,080 --> 00:04:09,880 scientists think it might look. 131 00:04:09,880 --> 00:04:14,640 Imagine a giant icy world with a single unblinking eye 132 00:04:14,640 --> 00:04:16,360 staring out into space. 133 00:04:16,360 --> 00:04:18,520 OK, I'm intrigued. 134 00:04:18,520 --> 00:04:19,400 That eye? 135 00:04:19,400 --> 00:04:22,840 That eye is a massive ocean of liquid water 136 00:04:22,840 --> 00:04:25,840 formed where the star's heat has melted the ice. 137 00:04:25,840 --> 00:04:29,240 So you've got this icy world with a giant ocean on one side. 138 00:04:29,240 --> 00:04:30,640 That's a pretty unique setup. 139 00:04:30,640 --> 00:04:32,080 It's thought that this ocean could 140 00:04:32,080 --> 00:04:35,480 cover a significant portion of Trappist-1's surface. 141 00:04:35,480 --> 00:04:37,680 Wow, does that mean it could support life? 142 00:04:37,680 --> 00:04:40,080 Water is essential for life as we know it, 143 00:04:40,080 --> 00:04:41,920 and Trappist-1 has plenty of it. 144 00:04:41,920 --> 00:04:43,600 But we need more than just water. 145 00:04:43,600 --> 00:04:46,000 Life also needs energy and nutrients. 146 00:04:46,000 --> 00:04:48,040 And with only a sliver of the planet exposed 147 00:04:48,040 --> 00:04:49,760 to perpetual twilight, it's unclear 148 00:04:49,760 --> 00:04:50,840 where those would come from. 149 00:04:50,840 --> 00:04:52,360 So maybe life on Trappist-1F would 150 00:04:52,360 --> 00:04:55,560 have to adapt to a world of dim light and limited resources. 151 00:04:55,560 --> 00:04:57,720 It's hard to even imagine what that would look like. 152 00:04:57,720 --> 00:05:00,040 That's the beauty of exploring other worlds. 153 00:05:00,040 --> 00:05:02,840 We have to be prepared for the unexpected. 154 00:05:02,840 --> 00:05:05,640 Life might take forms that we can't even comprehend. 155 00:05:05,640 --> 00:05:08,120 OK, so we've got the icy Trappist-1G 156 00:05:08,120 --> 00:05:09,280 and the watery Trappist-1. 157 00:05:09,280 --> 00:05:10,680 What about Trappist-1? 158 00:05:10,680 --> 00:05:11,960 What's the story with this one? 159 00:05:11,960 --> 00:05:13,920 Trappist-1Ds is a bit of an enigma. 160 00:05:13,920 --> 00:05:16,200 It's smaller than the other two and thought 161 00:05:16,200 --> 00:05:19,680 to have a dense atmosphere, possibly rich in water vapor. 162 00:05:19,680 --> 00:05:21,600 So a steamy, humid world. 163 00:05:21,600 --> 00:05:22,440 You could say that. 164 00:05:22,440 --> 00:05:25,200 Think of it as a planet-sized sauna. 165 00:05:25,200 --> 00:05:27,800 OK, not exactly my ideal vacation spot. 166 00:05:27,800 --> 00:05:28,520 Yeah. 167 00:05:28,520 --> 00:05:31,280 But could anything survive in that kind of environment? 168 00:05:31,280 --> 00:05:32,760 It's tough to say for sure. 169 00:05:32,760 --> 00:05:36,360 The day side of Trappist-1D is likely scorching hot thanks 170 00:05:36,360 --> 00:05:38,400 to a runaway greenhouse effect. 171 00:05:38,400 --> 00:05:40,800 But the night side, or even the twilight zone, 172 00:05:40,800 --> 00:05:42,120 could be more temperate. 173 00:05:42,120 --> 00:05:43,360 Runaway greenhouse effect? 174 00:05:43,360 --> 00:05:44,440 That doesn't sound good. 175 00:05:44,440 --> 00:05:46,520 It basically means that the planet's atmosphere 176 00:05:46,520 --> 00:05:49,680 is trapping heat, causing temperatures to spiral upwards. 177 00:05:49,680 --> 00:05:52,560 So maybe life could find refuge on the cooler night side 178 00:05:52,560 --> 00:05:55,120 or in the twilight zone of Trappist-1D. 179 00:05:55,120 --> 00:05:57,600 Or maybe it's evolved to tolerate the intense heat 180 00:05:57,600 --> 00:05:58,160 and humidity. 181 00:05:58,160 --> 00:05:58,960 Exactly. 182 00:05:58,960 --> 00:06:01,200 We just don't know enough yet to say for sure. 183 00:06:01,200 --> 00:06:02,600 That's what makes it so exciting. 184 00:06:02,600 --> 00:06:04,040 The possibilities are endless. 185 00:06:04,040 --> 00:06:06,720 It's amazing to think about all these different worlds, 186 00:06:06,720 --> 00:06:08,720 each with its own unique characteristics 187 00:06:08,720 --> 00:06:09,920 and potential for life. 188 00:06:09,920 --> 00:06:12,240 It really makes you realize that our solar system is just 189 00:06:12,240 --> 00:06:14,800 one tiny example of what's out there. 190 00:06:14,800 --> 00:06:17,000 The universe is full of surprises. 191 00:06:17,000 --> 00:06:18,680 That it is. 192 00:06:18,680 --> 00:06:20,600 Well, folks, we've just scratched the surface 193 00:06:20,600 --> 00:06:22,840 of the Trappist-1 system. 194 00:06:22,840 --> 00:06:24,760 Stay tuned for part two, where we'll 195 00:06:24,760 --> 00:06:27,240 delve even deeper into these fascinating planets 196 00:06:27,240 --> 00:06:29,640 and explore the possibility of alien life. 197 00:06:29,640 --> 00:06:30,600 It really is. 198 00:06:30,600 --> 00:06:32,160 And speaking of surprises, we haven't even 199 00:06:32,160 --> 00:06:35,240 gotten to the most Earth-like planet in the Trappist-1 system 200 00:06:35,240 --> 00:06:36,080 yet. 201 00:06:36,080 --> 00:06:37,640 Yes, Trappist-1M. 202 00:06:37,640 --> 00:06:39,560 This one is the real showstopper. 203 00:06:39,560 --> 00:06:40,060 OK. 204 00:06:40,060 --> 00:06:40,800 I'm all ears. 205 00:06:40,800 --> 00:06:42,960 What makes Trappist-1M so special? 206 00:06:42,960 --> 00:06:46,720 Well, for starters, it's almost the same size and density 207 00:06:46,720 --> 00:06:47,400 as Earth. 208 00:06:47,400 --> 00:06:48,920 So it's got that oof-like feel to it. 209 00:06:48,920 --> 00:06:49,400 What else? 210 00:06:49,400 --> 00:06:51,920 It receives a similar amount of energy from its star, 211 00:06:51,920 --> 00:06:54,720 as Earth does from the sun, even though Trappist-1 212 00:06:54,720 --> 00:06:56,000 is a much cooler star. 213 00:06:56,000 --> 00:06:57,360 So not too hot, not too cold. 214 00:06:57,360 --> 00:06:58,400 Sounds pretty comfortable. 215 00:06:58,400 --> 00:07:00,960 And the best part, it's right smack-dab 216 00:07:00,960 --> 00:07:02,400 in the middle of the habitable zone. 217 00:07:02,400 --> 00:07:03,720 Prime real estate for life. 218 00:07:03,720 --> 00:07:07,120 You could say that out of all the planets in the Trappist-1 219 00:07:07,120 --> 00:07:09,800 system, Trappist-1 has the highest probability 220 00:07:09,800 --> 00:07:11,800 of having liquid water on its surface. 221 00:07:11,800 --> 00:07:14,120 Liquid water in Earth-like conditions. 222 00:07:14,120 --> 00:07:15,520 Could this be the one? 223 00:07:15,520 --> 00:07:18,920 The planet where we finally find evidence of life beyond Earth. 224 00:07:18,920 --> 00:07:20,920 It's certainly a possibility. 225 00:07:20,920 --> 00:07:22,880 And if you think about it, the Trappist-1 system 226 00:07:22,880 --> 00:07:24,480 is billions of years old. 227 00:07:24,480 --> 00:07:25,520 Billions. 228 00:07:25,520 --> 00:07:26,600 Yeah, that's a lot of time. 229 00:07:26,600 --> 00:07:31,360 A lot of time for life to potentially emerge, evolve, 230 00:07:31,360 --> 00:07:33,600 and who knows, maybe even develop intelligence. 231 00:07:33,600 --> 00:07:34,000 OK. 232 00:07:34,000 --> 00:07:35,760 Now you're getting my imagination going. 233 00:07:35,760 --> 00:07:37,480 Are we talking alien civilizations here? 234 00:07:37,480 --> 00:07:39,040 I wouldn't rule it out. 235 00:07:39,040 --> 00:07:40,200 But think about it. 236 00:07:40,200 --> 00:07:42,600 Life on Earth took billions of years 237 00:07:42,600 --> 00:07:45,560 to evolve from single-celled organisms 238 00:07:45,560 --> 00:07:49,040 to the complex diversity we see today. 239 00:07:49,040 --> 00:07:51,280 Given enough time and the right conditions, 240 00:07:51,280 --> 00:07:54,040 who's to say what could have happened on Trappist-1? 241 00:07:54,040 --> 00:07:57,080 It's mind-boggling to think about civilizations rising 242 00:07:57,080 --> 00:07:59,320 and falling, technologies evolving, maybe even 243 00:07:59,320 --> 00:08:00,560 interstellar travel. 244 00:08:00,560 --> 00:08:02,280 It's like something out of a science fiction movie. 245 00:08:02,280 --> 00:08:03,920 It's definitely a tantalizing thought. 246 00:08:03,920 --> 00:08:04,120 Yeah. 247 00:08:04,120 --> 00:08:05,580 And it raises so many questions. 248 00:08:05,580 --> 00:08:07,720 What would their culture be like, their technology? 249 00:08:07,720 --> 00:08:09,560 Would they be anything like us? 250 00:08:09,560 --> 00:08:11,040 We can only speculate for now. 251 00:08:11,040 --> 00:08:12,880 But the fact that the possibility exists 252 00:08:12,880 --> 00:08:13,920 is incredible. 253 00:08:13,920 --> 00:08:16,240 It makes you realize how much we still 254 00:08:16,240 --> 00:08:17,240 don't know about the universe. 255 00:08:17,240 --> 00:08:18,000 Exactly. 256 00:08:18,000 --> 00:08:19,500 And that's what makes it so exciting. 257 00:08:19,500 --> 00:08:21,160 There's so much left to discover. 258 00:08:21,160 --> 00:08:24,560 Speaking of discoveries, the James Webb Space Telescope 259 00:08:24,560 --> 00:08:27,440 is already observing the Trappist-1 system. 260 00:08:27,440 --> 00:08:30,360 What kind of information are we hoping to get from that? 261 00:08:30,360 --> 00:08:33,440 Well, the James Webb Telescope is a powerful instrument. 262 00:08:33,440 --> 00:08:35,620 It can analyze the atmospheres of these planets, 263 00:08:35,620 --> 00:08:38,320 looking for signs of what we call biosignatures. 264 00:08:38,320 --> 00:08:39,760 Biosignatures, meaning? 265 00:08:39,760 --> 00:08:42,720 Meaning chemical compounds that could indicate 266 00:08:42,720 --> 00:08:46,640 the presence of life, like oxygen, methane, ozone, things 267 00:08:46,640 --> 00:08:47,280 like that. 268 00:08:47,280 --> 00:08:51,120 So if we detect these gases in the atmosphere of Trappist-1a, 269 00:08:51,120 --> 00:08:53,320 it would be a pretty strong hint that something's 270 00:08:53,320 --> 00:08:54,160 alive down there. 271 00:08:54,160 --> 00:08:55,800 It would be a huge breakthrough. 272 00:08:55,800 --> 00:08:57,920 It wouldn't be definitive proof of life, of course, 273 00:08:57,920 --> 00:09:00,440 but it would be a very compelling piece of evidence. 274 00:09:00,440 --> 00:09:01,800 This is getting me really excited. 275 00:09:01,800 --> 00:09:03,640 It feels like we're on the verge of some major discoveries. 276 00:09:03,640 --> 00:09:04,400 We are. 277 00:09:04,400 --> 00:09:07,280 The next few decades are going to be a golden age for exoplanet 278 00:09:07,280 --> 00:09:08,120 research. 279 00:09:08,120 --> 00:09:10,680 With new telescopes and instruments coming online, 280 00:09:10,680 --> 00:09:12,160 who knows what we might find? 281 00:09:12,160 --> 00:09:15,120 I can't wait to see what the future holds. 282 00:09:15,120 --> 00:09:17,660 OK, so we've talked about the potential habitability 283 00:09:17,660 --> 00:09:20,760 of these planets and the possibility of alien life, 284 00:09:20,760 --> 00:09:23,640 but let's not forget about the challenges they face. 285 00:09:23,640 --> 00:09:26,180 Red dwarf stars like Trappist-1, they're 286 00:09:26,180 --> 00:09:27,960 known for being a bit volatile. 287 00:09:27,960 --> 00:09:28,760 That's right. 288 00:09:28,760 --> 00:09:31,640 They can unleash powerful flares much more intense 289 00:09:31,640 --> 00:09:33,480 than anything our sun produces. 290 00:09:33,480 --> 00:09:36,000 And these flares, they can be pretty destructive, right? 291 00:09:36,000 --> 00:09:36,600 They can. 292 00:09:36,600 --> 00:09:39,200 They release bursts of high energy radiation 293 00:09:39,200 --> 00:09:41,680 that could strip away a planet's atmosphere over time. 294 00:09:41,680 --> 00:09:44,880 So even if a planet starts out with a nice thick atmosphere, 295 00:09:44,880 --> 00:09:46,360 these flares could erode it away, 296 00:09:46,360 --> 00:09:49,320 leaving the surface exposed to the harshness of space. 297 00:09:49,320 --> 00:09:49,960 Exactly. 298 00:09:49,960 --> 00:09:51,600 It's one of the biggest challenges for life 299 00:09:51,600 --> 00:09:52,840 around red dwarf stars. 300 00:09:52,840 --> 00:09:54,080 But wait a minute. 301 00:09:54,080 --> 00:09:56,480 Doesn't Earth have a protective shield, something 302 00:09:56,480 --> 00:09:58,640 that deflects radiation from the sun? 303 00:09:58,640 --> 00:10:00,640 You're thinking of Earth's magnetic field. 304 00:10:00,640 --> 00:10:01,680 Right. 305 00:10:01,680 --> 00:10:04,440 So could a planet like Trappist-1M have a magnetic field 306 00:10:04,440 --> 00:10:06,800 strong enough to protect it from these flares? 307 00:10:06,800 --> 00:10:08,960 That's the million dollar question. 308 00:10:08,960 --> 00:10:12,760 If it does, it could potentially shield its atmosphere 309 00:10:12,760 --> 00:10:15,600 and maintain a habitable environment. 310 00:10:15,600 --> 00:10:18,480 But if not, the flares could pose a serious threat 311 00:10:18,480 --> 00:10:20,320 to any life that might exist there. 312 00:10:20,320 --> 00:10:22,760 It's like a cosmic game of chance. 313 00:10:22,760 --> 00:10:26,120 Fingers crossed that Trappist-1M has a strong magnetic field. 314 00:10:26,120 --> 00:10:28,560 And if it does, can you imagine the auroras? 315 00:10:28,560 --> 00:10:29,760 They would be spectacular. 316 00:10:29,760 --> 00:10:30,600 Oh, yeah. 317 00:10:30,600 --> 00:10:32,680 With a strong magnetic field interacting 318 00:10:32,680 --> 00:10:36,120 with those intense flares, the auroras on Trappist-1M 319 00:10:36,120 --> 00:10:37,880 would be something to behold. 320 00:10:37,880 --> 00:10:40,400 It would be like a permanent light show in the sky. 321 00:10:40,400 --> 00:10:41,880 A breathtaking sight to see. 322 00:10:41,880 --> 00:10:43,300 Now remember, we mentioned earlier 323 00:10:43,300 --> 00:10:45,240 that the Trappist-1 system is incredibly 324 00:10:45,240 --> 00:10:46,760 old, about 8 billion years. 325 00:10:46,760 --> 00:10:48,560 Twice as old as our own solar system. 326 00:10:48,560 --> 00:10:49,240 Yeah. 327 00:10:49,240 --> 00:10:49,800 That's ancient. 328 00:10:49,800 --> 00:10:50,280 Exactly. 329 00:10:50,280 --> 00:10:52,440 And that got scientists thinking about the possibility 330 00:10:52,440 --> 00:10:54,320 of what they call extinct biospheres. 331 00:10:54,320 --> 00:10:55,560 Extinct biospheres. 332 00:10:55,560 --> 00:10:56,480 What does that mean? 333 00:10:56,480 --> 00:10:57,940 It means that life might have existed 334 00:10:57,940 --> 00:11:00,560 on these planets in the past, but is no longer present today. 335 00:11:00,560 --> 00:11:04,080 So like ancient civilizations that rose and fell long ago, 336 00:11:04,080 --> 00:11:06,760 leaving behind only traces of their existence. 337 00:11:06,760 --> 00:11:08,000 Precisely. 338 00:11:08,000 --> 00:11:10,760 It's a fascinating concept to consider. 339 00:11:10,760 --> 00:11:13,960 Maybe there were once thriving ecosystems on these planets 340 00:11:13,960 --> 00:11:17,200 teeming with all sorts of strange and wonderful creatures. 341 00:11:17,200 --> 00:11:20,040 And maybe those civilizations developed advanced technologies 342 00:11:20,040 --> 00:11:22,800 explored their solar system, maybe even ventured out 343 00:11:22,800 --> 00:11:23,920 into the galaxy. 344 00:11:23,920 --> 00:11:25,040 Who knows? 345 00:11:25,040 --> 00:11:27,240 The possibilities are endless. 346 00:11:27,240 --> 00:11:29,800 But even if life is no longer present on these planets, 347 00:11:29,800 --> 00:11:31,920 we might still be able to find evidence 348 00:11:31,920 --> 00:11:33,680 of its past existence. 349 00:11:33,680 --> 00:11:36,640 Like fossils or ruins or some other telltale signs 350 00:11:36,640 --> 00:11:38,440 that life was once there? 351 00:11:38,440 --> 00:11:39,280 Exactly. 352 00:11:39,280 --> 00:11:41,480 It's a long shot, of course, but it's a possibility 353 00:11:41,480 --> 00:11:43,320 that scientists are taking seriously. 354 00:11:43,320 --> 00:11:45,560 It's like being a cosmic archaeologist 355 00:11:45,560 --> 00:11:47,760 searching for clues to the past. 356 00:11:47,760 --> 00:11:49,120 It's a reminder that the universe 357 00:11:49,120 --> 00:11:51,480 has a long and complex history, and we're just 358 00:11:51,480 --> 00:11:52,760 beginning to piece it together. 359 00:11:52,760 --> 00:11:55,800 And who knows what secrets the Trappist-1 system might hold? 360 00:11:55,800 --> 00:11:58,160 It's a treasure trove of scientific potential. 361 00:11:58,160 --> 00:12:00,080 Well said, I think we've covered a lot of ground 362 00:12:00,080 --> 00:12:02,160 in this deep dive into the Trappist-1 system. 363 00:12:02,160 --> 00:12:02,800 We have. 364 00:12:02,800 --> 00:12:04,440 From the possibility of alien life 365 00:12:04,440 --> 00:12:06,200 to the challenges of red dwarf stars, 366 00:12:06,200 --> 00:12:07,960 it's been a fascinating journey. 367 00:12:07,960 --> 00:12:09,640 And it's not over yet. 368 00:12:09,640 --> 00:12:11,880 Stay tuned for part three, where we'll take a closer look 369 00:12:11,880 --> 00:12:14,960 at the unique characteristics of each potentially habitable 370 00:12:14,960 --> 00:12:17,960 planet in the Trappist-1 system and discuss 371 00:12:17,960 --> 00:12:20,800 what the future holds for our exploration 372 00:12:20,800 --> 00:12:23,440 of this remarkable star system. 373 00:12:23,440 --> 00:12:25,080 OK, so we've explored the potential 374 00:12:25,080 --> 00:12:26,600 for life on these planets, talked 375 00:12:26,600 --> 00:12:28,480 about the challenges they face, and even 376 00:12:28,480 --> 00:12:31,400 considered the possibility of long-gone civilizations. 377 00:12:31,400 --> 00:12:33,400 But now I want to dive into the specifics. 378 00:12:33,400 --> 00:12:36,200 What makes each of these potentially habitable planets 379 00:12:36,200 --> 00:12:37,040 unique? 380 00:12:37,040 --> 00:12:40,680 Well, let's revisit Trappist-1g, the icy giant. 381 00:12:40,680 --> 00:12:44,440 It's thought to have a massive subsurface ocean, maybe even 382 00:12:44,440 --> 00:12:46,560 bigger than all of Earth's oceans combined. 383 00:12:46,560 --> 00:12:48,480 A hidden ocean world. 384 00:12:48,480 --> 00:12:51,360 What kind of life could exist in an environment like that? 385 00:12:51,360 --> 00:12:53,640 It's a question that has scientists buzzing. 386 00:12:53,640 --> 00:12:55,600 We know that life on Earth can exist 387 00:12:55,600 --> 00:12:58,400 in some pretty extreme places, like hydrothermal vents 388 00:12:58,400 --> 00:13:00,120 on the ocean floor, where it's super hot 389 00:13:00,120 --> 00:13:01,240 and there's no sunlight. 390 00:13:01,240 --> 00:13:03,080 You're saying that even without sunlight, 391 00:13:03,080 --> 00:13:05,160 life could find a way to thrive down there. 392 00:13:05,160 --> 00:13:05,840 Absolutely. 393 00:13:05,840 --> 00:13:07,960 Life is incredibly resilient and adaptable. 394 00:13:07,960 --> 00:13:09,840 We've seen it firsthand here on Earth. 395 00:13:09,840 --> 00:13:11,800 And there's no reason to think it couldn't exist 396 00:13:11,800 --> 00:13:13,840 in similar environments on other planets. 397 00:13:13,840 --> 00:13:14,920 That's mind blowing. 398 00:13:14,920 --> 00:13:17,800 OK, what about Trappist-1f, the eyeball planet? 399 00:13:17,800 --> 00:13:18,880 What sets it apart? 400 00:13:18,880 --> 00:13:21,120 Well, besides its striking appearance 401 00:13:21,120 --> 00:13:23,960 with that giant ocean staring out into space, 402 00:13:23,960 --> 00:13:26,400 Trappist-1f is intriguing because it's right 403 00:13:26,400 --> 00:13:28,200 on the edge of the habitable zone. 404 00:13:28,200 --> 00:13:30,080 So it's a world of contrasts. 405 00:13:30,080 --> 00:13:33,080 You could say that the conditions on Trappist-1f 406 00:13:33,080 --> 00:13:37,320 could be really diverse, with regions of ice liquid water 407 00:13:37,320 --> 00:13:39,280 and maybe even some land. 408 00:13:39,280 --> 00:13:40,840 Could there be life that's adapted 409 00:13:40,840 --> 00:13:42,720 to those different environments? 410 00:13:42,720 --> 00:13:44,200 It's certainly possible. 411 00:13:44,200 --> 00:13:47,120 Imagine creatures that migrate between the icy areas 412 00:13:47,120 --> 00:13:49,880 and the warmer waters following the shifting seasons. 413 00:13:49,880 --> 00:13:51,760 Or maybe life has evolved to thrive 414 00:13:51,760 --> 00:13:53,480 in that perpetual twilight zone, where 415 00:13:53,480 --> 00:13:55,160 the light is always dim. 416 00:13:55,160 --> 00:13:56,480 It's fascinating to think about. 417 00:13:56,480 --> 00:13:57,440 It really is. 418 00:13:57,440 --> 00:13:59,960 And then there's Trappist-1, the mysterious one 419 00:13:59,960 --> 00:14:01,760 with the thick, steamy atmosphere. 420 00:14:01,760 --> 00:14:03,760 What are the chances of life on a planet like that? 421 00:14:03,760 --> 00:14:05,840 Trappist-1s is a bit of a wild card. 422 00:14:05,840 --> 00:14:08,240 That thick atmosphere could trap a lot of heat, 423 00:14:08,240 --> 00:14:10,600 making the surface incredibly hot and potentially 424 00:14:10,600 --> 00:14:12,080 uninhabitable. 425 00:14:12,080 --> 00:14:13,640 But as we discussed earlier, there's 426 00:14:13,640 --> 00:14:15,400 a chance that the night side of the planet 427 00:14:15,400 --> 00:14:17,480 could be cooler and more hospitable. 428 00:14:17,480 --> 00:14:21,000 So maybe life could be hiding in the shadows of Trappist-1. 429 00:14:21,000 --> 00:14:23,400 Or maybe it's evolved to withstand the intense heat 430 00:14:23,400 --> 00:14:24,120 and humidity. 431 00:14:24,120 --> 00:14:25,200 Exactly. 432 00:14:25,200 --> 00:14:27,160 We just don't have enough information yet. 433 00:14:27,160 --> 00:14:29,160 But that's what makes it so exciting. 434 00:14:29,160 --> 00:14:31,440 The possibilities are endless. 435 00:14:31,440 --> 00:14:33,960 It's amazing to think about all these different worlds, 436 00:14:33,960 --> 00:14:36,440 each with its own unique set of characteristics 437 00:14:36,440 --> 00:14:38,640 and the potential for life. 438 00:14:38,640 --> 00:14:41,920 But let's not forget the star of the show, Trappist-1m, 439 00:14:41,920 --> 00:14:44,080 the most Earth-like planet in the system. 440 00:14:44,080 --> 00:14:46,840 Trappist-1m is still our best bet for finding life 441 00:14:46,840 --> 00:14:47,880 as we know it. 442 00:14:47,880 --> 00:14:50,760 Its size, density, and location in the habitable zone 443 00:14:50,760 --> 00:14:53,240 make it a prime target for future study. 444 00:14:53,240 --> 00:14:55,360 It's possible that it has oceans, continents, 445 00:14:55,360 --> 00:14:57,280 and an atmosphere similar to our own. 446 00:14:57,280 --> 00:14:59,820 So if we were to send a mission to the Trappist-1 system, 447 00:14:59,820 --> 00:15:01,120 that's where we'd want to land. 448 00:15:01,120 --> 00:15:01,620 Absolutely. 449 00:15:01,620 --> 00:15:04,640 Trappist-1m is the crown jewel of this system. 450 00:15:04,640 --> 00:15:06,680 It holds the greatest potential for helping 451 00:15:06,680 --> 00:15:11,440 us answer that age-old question, are we alone in the universe? 452 00:15:11,440 --> 00:15:13,800 It's incredible to think that one day we 453 00:15:13,800 --> 00:15:16,560 might have the technology to send a probe or even a manned 454 00:15:16,560 --> 00:15:19,240 mission to a scarce system like this. 455 00:15:19,240 --> 00:15:20,200 What would we find? 456 00:15:20,200 --> 00:15:23,160 It's a question that sparks the imagination. 457 00:15:23,160 --> 00:15:25,280 What we've learned about Trappist-1 so far 458 00:15:25,280 --> 00:15:27,880 is just a glimpse into the vastness and diversity 459 00:15:27,880 --> 00:15:29,400 of the universe. 460 00:15:29,400 --> 00:15:31,600 Who knows what other wonders are out there 461 00:15:31,600 --> 00:15:32,720 waiting to be discovered? 462 00:15:32,720 --> 00:15:35,480 Well, I, for one, can't wait to find out. 463 00:15:35,480 --> 00:15:38,200 But for now, let's bring it back down to Earth. 464 00:15:38,200 --> 00:15:41,960 What can we learn from studying a system like Trappist-1? 465 00:15:41,960 --> 00:15:44,200 What does it teach us about our own planet? 466 00:15:44,200 --> 00:15:46,040 It gives us perspective. 467 00:15:46,040 --> 00:15:48,740 Studying other planetary systems, especially ones 468 00:15:48,740 --> 00:15:50,480 that are so different from our own, 469 00:15:50,480 --> 00:15:52,520 helps us understand the delicate balance that 470 00:15:52,520 --> 00:15:54,440 makes life on Earth possible. 471 00:15:54,440 --> 00:15:56,640 By looking outward, we gain a deeper understanding 472 00:15:56,640 --> 00:15:57,400 of ourselves. 473 00:15:57,400 --> 00:15:58,400 Exactly. 474 00:15:58,400 --> 00:16:01,000 We realize that Earth is just one tiny speck 475 00:16:01,000 --> 00:16:03,760 in a vast and ancient universe, and that our planet 476 00:16:03,760 --> 00:16:05,840 is a precious and unique place. 477 00:16:05,840 --> 00:16:09,440 It's a humbling thought, but it's also incredibly inspiring. 478 00:16:09,440 --> 00:16:11,080 It makes you want to go out and explore 479 00:16:11,080 --> 00:16:13,800 to learn more about the universe and our place in it. 480 00:16:13,800 --> 00:16:15,840 The universe is full of wonders, and we've only 481 00:16:15,840 --> 00:16:17,400 just begun to explore them. 482 00:16:17,400 --> 00:16:18,760 Well said. 483 00:16:18,760 --> 00:16:21,520 The discovery of Trappist-1 has opened up a whole new chapter 484 00:16:21,520 --> 00:16:23,480 in the search for life beyond Earth. 485 00:16:23,480 --> 00:16:25,960 It's a reminder that we are not alone in the universe, 486 00:16:25,960 --> 00:16:27,840 that there are other worlds out there, 487 00:16:27,840 --> 00:16:30,640 and that the possibilities are truly endless. 488 00:16:30,640 --> 00:16:33,360 So keep looking up, keep exploring, 489 00:16:33,360 --> 00:16:35,440 and never stop wondering what's out there. 490 00:16:35,440 --> 00:16:37,240 The universe is full of surprises. 491 00:16:37,240 --> 00:16:38,840 We may not have all the answers yet, 492 00:16:38,840 --> 00:16:41,360 but that's what makes the journey of discovery so exciting. 493 00:16:41,360 --> 00:16:42,840 And speaking of journeys, don't forget 494 00:16:42,840 --> 00:16:45,240 to follow and subscribe to Cosmos in a Pod 495 00:16:45,240 --> 00:16:47,880 for more fascinating explorations of the cosmos. 496 00:16:47,880 --> 00:16:49,560 And be sure to check out our YouTube channel 497 00:16:49,560 --> 00:16:51,520 for stunning visuals of Trappist-1 498 00:16:51,520 --> 00:16:52,920 and other celestial wonders. 499 00:16:52,920 --> 00:17:20,560 Clear skies, and happy stargazing, everyone.