For the first time, astronomers have found water vapor in the atmosphere of a planet orbiting another star. That's not surprising-- water seems to be common throughout the universe, and scientists had expected to find water vapor on such worlds-- but it is confirmation that our models are on to something.
The planet is a "hot Jupiter" orbiting a star similar to our Sun a bit over six light-years away, which makes that star a close neighbor. Hot Jupiters are gas giants, like Jupiter, that orbit very close to their parent star. This one, in fact, whips around its star in only two days, which makes our Mercury seem absolutely pokey.
Generally, the presence of water brings up the question of life. That may not happen in this case. Gas giants generally, and hot Jupiters specifically, are not viewed as good homes. Having said that, however, the late Dr. Carl Sagan once envisioned "floaters" riding the air currents of Jupiter's huge atmosphere, staying and thriving in the temperate zones and belts.
Maybe somewhere out there, Dr. Sagan's fanciful notion actually breathes, flies, and lives.
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