GJ 1214 b
Position on the route: 104/130 · level needed 1750 · journey (Mk0 engine) 350.5 h
By the numbers
| Distance | ≈ 48 light-years |
|---|---|
| Radius | ≈ 2.7 Earths |
| Mass | ≈ 8 Earths |
| Year | 1.58 days |
The story
GJ 1214 b, found in 2009, is a ‘mini-Neptune’ or ‘water world’ candidate circling a red dwarf. Its density (≈ 1.9 g/cm³) suggests that a large share could be water; but is there a thick steam atmosphere, or a dense haze? Hubble saw a completely flat spectrum, so it must be wrapped in cloud.
JWST (2023) showed that the planet has a reflective, thick atmosphere rich in metals and water vapour. The heat carried from the night side to the day side fits a ‘steam world’ picture. Too hot for life; but a laboratory for understanding water worlds.
Missions
- Hubble (2014): the flat spectrum
- JWST (2023): the phase curve
Colony note
No solid surface; only an orbital station. Sythe territory.
☠ A deep ocean under a thick steamy atmosphere: no solid surface to land on. An orbital station is the safe route.
What probes bring back
- 48 light-years; radius ≈ 2.7 Earths, mass ≈ 8 Earths: the density points to a water-rich make-up. JWST (2023) showed a thick atmosphere rich in metals and water vapour.
- A year of 1.58 days; a candidate ‘water world’.