©NASA/ESA/CSA/Joseph Olmsted (STScI)
Pre-reading questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- What do you think ‘exoplanet’ means?
- If you were an astronaut exploring space, what would you find exciting or challenging about studying planets beyond our solar system?
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- evidence /EV-i-duhns/
- distant /DIS-tuhnt /
- absence /AB-suhns/
- extreme /ik-STREEM/
- committed /kuh-MIT-id/
[noun] – one or more reasons for believing that something is or is not true
There is no evidence to support the claim that aliens have visited Earth.
[adjective] – far away
The mountain range seemed distant, but we decided to embark on the journey.
[noun] – state of being away or not being present
In the absence of clear instructions, confusion can arise.
[adjective] – very large in amount or degree
The extreme weather conditions made it challenging to travel.
[adjective] – dedicated or determined to continue pursuing a particular course of action or goal
She was committed to her goal of becoming a professional athlete and trained tirelessly to achieve it.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
The James Webb Space Telescope, renowned for its advanced astronomical capabilities, recently uncovered compelling evidence of potential liquid water on the distant exoplanet K2-18b, located 120 light-years from Earth. This discovery suggests that K2-18b, orbiting the cool dwarf star K2-18 within the habitable Goldilocks zone, may have conditions suitable for life. With a mass 8.6 times that of Earth, a methane and carbon dioxide-rich atmosphere, and the absence of ammonia, there’s speculation that K2-18b might be an ocean-covered world with a hydrogen-rich atmosphere, further fueled by the presence of carbon, a fundamental building block of life.
The journey to understand K2-18b began in 2019 when the Hubble Space Telescope detected water vapor. Subsequent investigations by the James Webb Space Telescope revealed the presence of dimethyl sulfide, a molecule linked to life on Earth. While confirming alien life remains elusive, this discovery deepens our comprehension of Hycean planets like K2-18b, which have hot conditions, oceans, and hydrogen-rich atmospheres. Although the possibility of life on this distant world remains uncertain due to potential extreme greenhouse effects, K2-18b’s mysteries continue to intrigue scientists, emphasizing the significance of ongoing research in our quest to unveil the universe’s secrets. The James Webb Space Telescope remains committed to exploring distant exoplanets, as these initial findings are just the beginning of our cosmic journey.
The journey to understand K2-18b began in 2019 when the Hubble Space Telescope detected water vapor. Subsequent investigations by the James Webb Space Telescope revealed the presence of dimethyl sulfide, a molecule linked to life on Earth. While confirming alien life remains elusive, this discovery deepens our comprehension of Hycean planets like K2-18b, which have hot conditions, oceans, and hydrogen-rich atmospheres. Although the possibility of life on this distant world remains uncertain due to potential extreme greenhouse effects, K2-18b’s mysteries continue to intrigue scientists, emphasizing the significance of ongoing research in our quest to unveil the universe’s secrets. The James Webb Space Telescope remains committed to exploring distant exoplanets, as these initial findings are just the beginning of our cosmic journey.
Comprehension questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.
- What significant discovery did the James Webb Space Telescope make about the exoplanet K2-18b?
- Where is the exoplanet K2-18b located in relation to Earth, and what makes it intriguing in terms of potential habitability?
- What are some key characteristics of K2-18b that hint at its suitability for life?
- What role did the Hubble Space Telescope play in the early stages of understanding K2-18b, and what additional information did the James Webb Space Telescope provide?
- Why is it still uncertain whether there is life on K2-18b despite the recent discoveries, and what does this tell us about the importance of ongoing research in space exploration?
Discussion questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever been fascinated by space exploration or astronomy? If yes, what specifically captivated your interest? If not, what other scientific topics do you find intriguing?
- Have you ever followed news or developments about space telescopes like the James Webb Space Telescope? If yes, what previous discoveries or missions have caught your attention? If not, what kinds of scientific news or advancements do you usually keep up with?
- Do you think the discovery of potential liquid water on exoplanet K2-18b is a significant step in our search for extraterrestrial life?
- What ethical considerations should scientists and space agencies take into account when exploring and potentially interacting with distant exoplanets that show signs of habitability or potential for life?
- In what ways might the discovery of potential liquid water on exoplanet K2-18b impact our perspective on Earth’s uniqueness and the possibility of life elsewhere in the universe? How does this discovery fit into our broader understanding of astrobiology and the search for life beyond our planet?