Some TRAPPIST-1 planets may be water worlds

Water is a sign of possible life. Too much water may prevent us from finding it

TRAPPIST-1 planets

WATER WORLDS  The TRAPPIST-1 system, with seven Earth-sized planets orbiting a dwarf star, has captured the attention of scientists hunting for life outside the solar system. New estimates of the planets’ composition indicates that several are enveloped in water and ice.

JPL-Caltech/NASA

There’s so much water on some of TRAPPIST-1’s seven Earth-sized planets that any life lurking there might be difficult to detect.