It would certainly make the search for life outside Earth a lot easier if life could exist on the class of planets astronomers have dubbed "Hycean" worlds. Hycean planets are otherwise known as mini-Neptunes because of their diameter (bigger than Earth, smaller than Neptune) and their make-up, having large hydrogen atmospheres. These mini-Neptunes don't actually have much more mass than the Earth.
According to a new study, scientists believe that Hycean planets may actually be a prime source for life. The reason is simple: These planets likely have oceans of liquid water underneath the hydrogen atmosphere, and we all know life loves liquid water. In addition, Hycean planets have proved to be quite common in the universe, and it is believed that detecting biosignatures in the atmospheres of these planets would actually be easier than on standard terrestrial worlds. The plan is to use the James Webb telescope (which is finally ready for launch) on a number of Hycean planets within 200 light-years of Earth, scanning them for molecules consistent with life. It wouldn't be definitive evidence, but it would be closer than we've come yet, and that would be big news.
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