Scientists Discover Coldest Known Lava Planet with Atmosphere
Researchers have identified HD 3167 b, a rocky exoplanet covered in lava, as the coldest lava planet known to possess an atmosphere. The planet is located 154 light-years away.
Scientists have detected an unusual exoplanet, HD 3167 b, a rocky "super-Earth" with a surface of molten lava that is surprisingly cooler than expected. Located 154 light-years from Earth, this planet is the smallest lava planet yet found to retain an atmosphere.
The planet orbits its star so closely that its year lasts only one Earth day. Typically, such proximity to a star is expected to strip away a planet's atmosphere due to intense stellar radiation and solar wind. Despite these conditions, HD 3167 b has managed to hold onto its gaseous envelope.
"What's surprising is that a rocky planet can keep its atmosphere when it's this close to its star," said Edwin Kite, an associate professor at the University of Chicago. "Normally, you'd expect the star's heat and wind to strip it away." Observations using the James Webb Space Telescope indicated the planet's temperature was lower than theoretical maximums.
Researchers suggest the atmosphere helps distribute heat, preventing the planet's day side from reaching extreme temperatures. While the surface remains molten, it represents the coolest atmospheric lava planet discovered to date.
This finding is part of a larger research initiative aiming to understand the conditions under which lava planets can form and maintain atmospheres. The results suggest that many lava planets may possess atmospheres, expanding our understanding of exoplanets and the potential for life beyond our solar system.