Scientists Discover Molten 'Liquid Planet' With Lava Oceans and Toxic Atmosphere
Space just got a little stranger. Scientists have identified a completely new type of planet that does not fit into the usual categories we know. Instead of being rocky like Earth or covered in deep oceans, this world exists in a constant molten state, more like a giant sea of lava than a solid planet.
The discovery points to a new class of “liquid planets” that are neither typical gas-rich worlds nor water-covered ones. These planets are made up of flowing, semi-molten rock, giving them a thick, mushy consistency.
Meet L 98-59 d
One of the best examples of this new category is a planet called L 98-59 d, located about 35 light-years away from Earth. It was studied using the James Webb Space Telescope, which has been helping scientists explore distant worlds in greater detail.
This planet is slightly larger and heavier than Earth, but its surface conditions are far more extreme. Temperatures on L 98-59 d can reach nearly 1,900 degrees Celsius, hot enough to melt rock into a flowing state. Instead of a solid surface, the planet likely has a global ocean of molten material.
Scientists describe its interior as being in a “mushy, molten state,” similar to thick liquid. The mantle is believed to be made of molten silicate, with a core that may also be in a liquid state.
The discovery points to a new class of “liquid planets” that are neither typical gas-rich worlds nor water-covered ones. These planets are made up of flowing, semi-molten rock, giving them a thick, mushy consistency.
Meet L 98-59 d
One of the best examples of this new category is a planet called L 98-59 d, located about 35 light-years away from Earth. It was studied using the James Webb Space Telescope, which has been helping scientists explore distant worlds in greater detail.This planet is slightly larger and heavier than Earth, but its surface conditions are far more extreme. Temperatures on L 98-59 d can reach nearly 1,900 degrees Celsius, hot enough to melt rock into a flowing state. Instead of a solid surface, the planet likely has a global ocean of molten material.
Scientists describe its interior as being in a “mushy, molten state,” similar to thick liquid. The mantle is believed to be made of molten silicate, with a core that may also be in a liquid state.
Next Story