New study finds evidence for many planets made of water, rock orbiting small stars

In the search for extraterrestrial life, scientists have been looking for signs of water on exoplanets, satellites and more. But, a new study suggests that scientists may have been looking at the wrong place all this while. Instead of being found in oceans, rivers or lakes, water could be hiding within rocks.

“It was a surprise to see evidence for so many water worlds orbiting the most common type of star in the galaxy. It has enormous consequences for the search for habitable planets,” said Rafael Luque, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Chicago and lead author of the study published in the journal Science.

More and more planets in the recent past have been discovered to contain water through rapid advancements in telescopic instruments and other scientific instruments. But, most of the presence of water has been found embedded within rock.