Detecting Water Traces in Different Environments
Scientists are delving into the chemical processes occurring in the Earth’s hot mantle to create a spectral library based on basalt. This innovative method aims to help identify the surface composition of planets beyond our solar system and provide clues as to the presence of water on these distant worlds.
Esteban Gazel, an Engineering Professor at Cornell University, highlighted the significance of basalt as a valuable geological record, stating, “When the Earth’s mantle melts, basalt is formed. The Moon’s surface predominantly consists of basalt.” Leveraging data from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), researchers are analyzing Earth’s basalt to decode the structures of other planets.
A new spectral library is currently in development by Assistant Professor Emily First, alongside Gazel and Macalester College, as they explore the characteristics of minerals that shape rocks and leave behind spectral imprints. Their study, recently published in Nature Astronomy magazine, focuses on the formation of basalt due to the metal-rich composition of stars and the subsequent melting of mantle minerals.
Through measuring the infrared light emitted from 15 different basalt samples, researchers have identified the distinctive spectral signatures detectable by JWST. This approach will aid in distinguishing water traces on the surfaces or interiors of distant planets.
When basaltic lava solidifies into rocks on the surface of other planets, interactions with water can lead to the formation of new minerals such as amphibol and serpentine. By examining subtle spectral variations in basalt samples, scientists can infer the presence of water on these alien worlds.
However, detecting water on other planets is a complex and time-consuming endeavor. The James Webb Space Telescope may require extensive observation periods and detailed data analysis to confirm the existence of water. Researchers have already begun testing their methods on the “Super Earth” LHS 3844B, located 48 light years away.
This innovative research offers a promising approach for future studies aiming to uncover water in planets beyond our solar system. By analyzing the chemical composition and conditions that shape rocks on distant worlds, scientists are paving the way for groundbreaking discoveries in the quest for extraterrestrial water sources.
