Picture this.
You're out there exploring space, right?
You're charting new territories.
You're searching for new worlds.
And suddenly, you stumble upon a star.
Not just any star, though.
This one is a red dwarf, much smaller and cooler
than our own sun.
It's called Trappist-1.
Trappist-2-1.
OK, so what's so special about this little star?
Well, get this.
It's got not one, not two, but seven Earth-sized planets
orbiting it.
Seven planets.
Hold on.
I've got to wrap my head around that.
Seven Earth-sized planets orbiting this one little red
dwarf star.
What are the chances of that?
And here's the kicker.
Three of those planets, they're nestled right
in the habitable zone.
The habitable zone meaning?
Meaning they're at just the right distance
from the star for liquid water to potentially exist.
Liquid water.
Oh!
That's the key ingredient for life as we know it.
Exactly.
So you can imagine why astronomers are so
excited about this system.
I can only imagine.
This is huge.
And to think Trappist-1 is relatively close to us, too.
Yeah, just a hop, skip, and a jump away in cosmic terms
only about 39 light years.
Practically next door.
So we've got this system with seven Earth-sized planets,
three of which are potentially habitable.
This is mind-blowing stuff, folks.
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OK, so let's break this down a bit.
We've got seven Earth-sized planets, three
in the habitable zone.
But what else makes Trappist-1 so unique?
Well, let's start with the star itself.
Red dwarfs, like I said, they're much smaller and cooler
than our sun.
So if the star is cooler, does that
mean the habitable zone is closer in?
You got it.
The habitable zone around a red dwarf
is much tighter than the one around our sun.
Wazing.
I mean, the planets in the Trappist-1 system,
they're all huddled up close to their star.
Their orbits are much smaller.
So how long are we talking about for a year
on one of these planets?
Think days, not years.
Geez, wow.
That's a fast-paced life.
And here's where things get even more interesting.
These planets are tidally locked to their star.
Tidally locked.
Now, that's a term I haven't heard in a while.
Remind me what that means.
It means that one side of the planet
is always facing the star, just like how the same side
of our moon always faces the Earth.
Oh, yeah, so there's an eternal day side
and an eternal night side.
Exactly.
One side bathed in perpetual sunlight,
the other shrouded in perpetual darkness.
I can't even begin to imagine what kind of impact
that would have on a planet's environment.
You're talking extreme temperature differences.
The day side could be scorching hot, potentially too hot
for liquid water to exist on the surface,
while the night side would be frigid and frozen solid.
So no chance of life on either of those extremes, right?
But what about the area in between?
You're thinking of the twilight zone,
the region between the extremes.
Right on the edge of light and darkness.
Exactly.
In the zone, temperatures might be more temperate, potentially
just right for liquid water to exist,
and maybe even for life as we know it.
OK, so let's dive into some of these potentially
habitable planets.
First up, we have Trappist-1 Green.
This one caught my eye because it's
been described as a potential water world.
And for good reason.
It's the furthest out of the three potentially habitable
planets.
And based on its density, scientists
believe it could be covered in a vast global ocean.
A global ocean?
Are we talking like Earth's oceans or something even bigger?
Think bigger, much bigger.
Some scientists believe Trappist-1 G's ocean
could be even larger than all of Earth's oceans combined.
Whoa, that's a lot of water.
But if the surface is frozen solid,
how can there be a liquid ocean?
It's a subsurface ocean hidden beneath a thick layer of ice.
Like Europa, one of Jupiter's moons.
Exactly, except much, much larger.
So even though it's icy on the surface,
there could be a whole hidden world teeming
with life beneath the ice.
That's the hope.
And if there are hydrothermal vents on the ocean floor,
like those found on Earth, they could
provide the energy and nutrients needed for life to thrive,
even without sunlight.
That's fascinating.
OK, so we've got this icy ocean world
with the potential for life.
What about Trappist-1?
This one has been dubbed the eyeball planet.
That's a pretty accurate description.
It gets its nickname from the way
scientists think it might look.
Imagine a giant icy world with a single unblinking eye
staring out into space.
OK, I'm intrigued.
That eye?
That eye is a massive ocean of liquid water
formed where the star's heat has melted the ice.
So you've got this icy world with a giant ocean on one side.
That's a pretty unique setup.
It's thought that this ocean could
cover a significant portion of Trappist-1's surface.
Wow, does that mean it could support life?
Water is essential for life as we know it,
and Trappist-1 has plenty of it.
But we need more than just water.
Life also needs energy and nutrients.
And with only a sliver of the planet exposed
to perpetual twilight, it's unclear
where those would come from.
So maybe life on Trappist-1F would
have to adapt to a world of dim light and limited resources.
It's hard to even imagine what that would look like.
That's the beauty of exploring other worlds.
We have to be prepared for the unexpected.
Life might take forms that we can't even comprehend.
OK, so we've got the icy Trappist-1G
and the watery Trappist-1.
What about Trappist-1?
What's the story with this one?
Trappist-1Ds is a bit of an enigma.
It's smaller than the other two and thought
to have a dense atmosphere, possibly rich in water vapor.
So a steamy, humid world.
You could say that.
Think of it as a planet-sized sauna.
OK, not exactly my ideal vacation spot.
Yeah.
But could anything survive in that kind of environment?
It's tough to say for sure.
The day side of Trappist-1D is likely scorching hot thanks
to a runaway greenhouse effect.
But the night side, or even the twilight zone,
could be more temperate.
Runaway greenhouse effect?
That doesn't sound good.
It basically means that the planet's atmosphere
is trapping heat, causing temperatures to spiral upwards.
So maybe life could find refuge on the cooler night side
or in the twilight zone of Trappist-1D.
Or maybe it's evolved to tolerate the intense heat
and humidity.
Exactly.
We just don't know enough yet to say for sure.
That's what makes it so exciting.
The possibilities are endless.
It's amazing to think about all these different worlds,
each with its own unique characteristics
and potential for life.
It really makes you realize that our solar system is just
one tiny example of what's out there.
The universe is full of surprises.
That it is.
Well, folks, we've just scratched the surface
of the Trappist-1 system.
Stay tuned for part two, where we'll
delve even deeper into these fascinating planets
and explore the possibility of alien life.
It really is.
And speaking of surprises, we haven't even
gotten to the most Earth-like planet in the Trappist-1 system
yet.
Yes, Trappist-1M.
This one is the real showstopper.
OK.
I'm all ears.
What makes Trappist-1M so special?
Well, for starters, it's almost the same size and density
as Earth.
So it's got that oof-like feel to it.
What else?
It receives a similar amount of energy from its star,
as Earth does from the sun, even though Trappist-1
is a much cooler star.
So not too hot, not too cold.
Sounds pretty comfortable.
And the best part, it's right smack-dab
in the middle of the habitable zone.
Prime real estate for life.
You could say that out of all the planets in the Trappist-1
system, Trappist-1 has the highest probability
of having liquid water on its surface.
Liquid water in Earth-like conditions.
Could this be the one?
The planet where we finally find evidence of life beyond Earth.
It's certainly a possibility.
And if you think about it, the Trappist-1 system
is billions of years old.
Billions.
Yeah, that's a lot of time.
A lot of time for life to potentially emerge, evolve,
and who knows, maybe even develop intelligence.
OK.
Now you're getting my imagination going.
Are we talking alien civilizations here?
I wouldn't rule it out.
But think about it.
Life on Earth took billions of years
to evolve from single-celled organisms
to the complex diversity we see today.
Given enough time and the right conditions,
who's to say what could have happened on Trappist-1?
It's mind-boggling to think about civilizations rising
and falling, technologies evolving, maybe even
interstellar travel.
It's like something out of a science fiction movie.
It's definitely a tantalizing thought.
Yeah.
And it raises so many questions.
What would their culture be like, their technology?
Would they be anything like us?
We can only speculate for now.
But the fact that the possibility exists
is incredible.
It makes you realize how much we still
don't know about the universe.
Exactly.
And that's what makes it so exciting.
There's so much left to discover.
Speaking of discoveries, the James Webb Space Telescope
is already observing the Trappist-1 system.
What kind of information are we hoping to get from that?
Well, the James Webb Telescope is a powerful instrument.
It can analyze the atmospheres of these planets,
looking for signs of what we call biosignatures.
Biosignatures, meaning?
Meaning chemical compounds that could indicate
the presence of life, like oxygen, methane, ozone, things
like that.
So if we detect these gases in the atmosphere of Trappist-1a,
it would be a pretty strong hint that something's
alive down there.
It would be a huge breakthrough.
It wouldn't be definitive proof of life, of course,
but it would be a very compelling piece of evidence.
This is getting me really excited.
It feels like we're on the verge of some major discoveries.
We are.
The next few decades are going to be a golden age for exoplanet
research.
With new telescopes and instruments coming online,
who knows what we might find?
I can't wait to see what the future holds.
OK, so we've talked about the potential habitability
of these planets and the possibility of alien life,
but let's not forget about the challenges they face.
Red dwarf stars like Trappist-1, they're
known for being a bit volatile.
That's right.
They can unleash powerful flares much more intense
than anything our sun produces.
And these flares, they can be pretty destructive, right?
They can.
They release bursts of high energy radiation
that could strip away a planet's atmosphere over time.
So even if a planet starts out with a nice thick atmosphere,
these flares could erode it away,
leaving the surface exposed to the harshness of space.
Exactly.
It's one of the biggest challenges for life
around red dwarf stars.
But wait a minute.
Doesn't Earth have a protective shield, something
that deflects radiation from the sun?
You're thinking of Earth's magnetic field.
Right.
So could a planet like Trappist-1M have a magnetic field
strong enough to protect it from these flares?
That's the million dollar question.
If it does, it could potentially shield its atmosphere
and maintain a habitable environment.
But if not, the flares could pose a serious threat
to any life that might exist there.
It's like a cosmic game of chance.
Fingers crossed that Trappist-1M has a strong magnetic field.
And if it does, can you imagine the auroras?
They would be spectacular.
Oh, yeah.
With a strong magnetic field interacting
with those intense flares, the auroras on Trappist-1M
would be something to behold.
It would be like a permanent light show in the sky.
A breathtaking sight to see.
Now remember, we mentioned earlier
that the Trappist-1 system is incredibly
old, about 8 billion years.
Twice as old as our own solar system.
Yeah.
That's ancient.
Exactly.
And that got scientists thinking about the possibility
of what they call extinct biospheres.
Extinct biospheres.
What does that mean?
It means that life might have existed
on these planets in the past, but is no longer present today.
So like ancient civilizations that rose and fell long ago,
leaving behind only traces of their existence.
Precisely.
It's a fascinating concept to consider.
Maybe there were once thriving ecosystems on these planets
teeming with all sorts of strange and wonderful creatures.
And maybe those civilizations developed advanced technologies
explored their solar system, maybe even ventured out
into the galaxy.
Who knows?
The possibilities are endless.
But even if life is no longer present on these planets,
we might still be able to find evidence
of its past existence.
Like fossils or ruins or some other telltale signs
that life was once there?
Exactly.
It's a long shot, of course, but it's a possibility
that scientists are taking seriously.
It's like being a cosmic archaeologist
searching for clues to the past.
It's a reminder that the universe
has a long and complex history, and we're just
beginning to piece it together.
And who knows what secrets the Trappist-1 system might hold?
It's a treasure trove of scientific potential.
Well said, I think we've covered a lot of ground
in this deep dive into the Trappist-1 system.
We have.
From the possibility of alien life
to the challenges of red dwarf stars,
it's been a fascinating journey.
And it's not over yet.
Stay tuned for part three, where we'll take a closer look
at the unique characteristics of each potentially habitable
planet in the Trappist-1 system and discuss
what the future holds for our exploration
of this remarkable star system.
OK, so we've explored the potential
for life on these planets, talked
about the challenges they face, and even
considered the possibility of long-gone civilizations.
But now I want to dive into the specifics.
What makes each of these potentially habitable planets
unique?
Well, let's revisit Trappist-1g, the icy giant.
It's thought to have a massive subsurface ocean, maybe even
bigger than all of Earth's oceans combined.
A hidden ocean world.
What kind of life could exist in an environment like that?
It's a question that has scientists buzzing.
We know that life on Earth can exist
in some pretty extreme places, like hydrothermal vents
on the ocean floor, where it's super hot
and there's no sunlight.
You're saying that even without sunlight,
life could find a way to thrive down there.
Absolutely.
Life is incredibly resilient and adaptable.
We've seen it firsthand here on Earth.
And there's no reason to think it couldn't exist
in similar environments on other planets.
That's mind blowing.
OK, what about Trappist-1f, the eyeball planet?
What sets it apart?
Well, besides its striking appearance
with that giant ocean staring out into space,
Trappist-1f is intriguing because it's right
on the edge of the habitable zone.
So it's a world of contrasts.
You could say that the conditions on Trappist-1f
could be really diverse, with regions of ice liquid water
and maybe even some land.
Could there be life that's adapted
to those different environments?
It's certainly possible.
Imagine creatures that migrate between the icy areas
and the warmer waters following the shifting seasons.
Or maybe life has evolved to thrive
in that perpetual twilight zone, where
the light is always dim.
It's fascinating to think about.
It really is.
And then there's Trappist-1, the mysterious one
with the thick, steamy atmosphere.
What are the chances of life on a planet like that?
Trappist-1s is a bit of a wild card.
That thick atmosphere could trap a lot of heat,
making the surface incredibly hot and potentially
uninhabitable.
But as we discussed earlier, there's
a chance that the night side of the planet
could be cooler and more hospitable.
So maybe life could be hiding in the shadows of Trappist-1.
Or maybe it's evolved to withstand the intense heat
and humidity.
Exactly.
We just don't have enough information yet.
But that's what makes it so exciting.
The possibilities are endless.
It's amazing to think about all these different worlds,
each with its own unique set of characteristics
and the potential for life.
But let's not forget the star of the show, Trappist-1m,
the most Earth-like planet in the system.
Trappist-1m is still our best bet for finding life
as we know it.
Its size, density, and location in the habitable zone
make it a prime target for future study.
It's possible that it has oceans, continents,
and an atmosphere similar to our own.
So if we were to send a mission to the Trappist-1 system,
that's where we'd want to land.
Absolutely.
Trappist-1m is the crown jewel of this system.
It holds the greatest potential for helping
us answer that age-old question, are we alone in the universe?
It's incredible to think that one day we
might have the technology to send a probe or even a manned
mission to a scarce system like this.
What would we find?
It's a question that sparks the imagination.
What we've learned about Trappist-1 so far
is just a glimpse into the vastness and diversity
of the universe.
Who knows what other wonders are out there
waiting to be discovered?
Well, I, for one, can't wait to find out.
But for now, let's bring it back down to Earth.
What can we learn from studying a system like Trappist-1?
What does it teach us about our own planet?
It gives us perspective.
Studying other planetary systems, especially ones
that are so different from our own,
helps us understand the delicate balance that
makes life on Earth possible.
By looking outward, we gain a deeper understanding
of ourselves.
Exactly.
We realize that Earth is just one tiny speck
in a vast and ancient universe, and that our planet
is a precious and unique place.
It's a humbling thought, but it's also incredibly inspiring.
It makes you want to go out and explore
to learn more about the universe and our place in it.
The universe is full of wonders, and we've only
just begun to explore them.
Well said.
The discovery of Trappist-1 has opened up a whole new chapter
in the search for life beyond Earth.
It's a reminder that we are not alone in the universe,
that there are other worlds out there,
and that the possibilities are truly endless.
So keep looking up, keep exploring,
and never stop wondering what's out there.
The universe is full of surprises.
We may not have all the answers yet,
but that's what makes the journey of discovery so exciting.
And speaking of journeys, don't forget
to follow and subscribe to Cosmos in a Pod
for more fascinating explorations of the cosmos.
And be sure to check out our YouTube channel
for stunning visuals of Trappist-1
and other celestial wonders.
Clear skies, and happy stargazing, everyone.