Astronomers have discovered a new type of planet, L98-59d, which may be composed entirely of lava. Located about 35 light-years away and 1.6 times Earth’s size, this planet orbits a small red star. Initial thoughts suggested it might have a deep ocean of liquid water, but new analysis reveals its surface is likely extremely molten, with potential temperatures reaching 1,900 degrees Celsius (3,500 degrees Fahrenheit). The atmosphere is rich in hydrogen sulfide, giving it a rotten-egg smell, making it uninhabitable.
Dr. Harrison Nichols from the University of Oxford noted, “The whole thing is really molten,” indicating that even its core could be melted. The planet’s history was reconstructed using advanced simulations, showing it has a global magma ocean that could extend thousands of kilometers beneath the surface, which helps retain its atmosphere.
This research implies that molten planets could be more common than previously thought, urging caution in labeling exoplanets as potentially habitable. Dr. Nichols emphasized that some planets in habitable zones may actually be molten, not suitable for life. Further investigation with the James Webb Space Telescope suggests that L98-59d could resemble Jupiter’s moon Io, marked by extreme volcanic activity. The findings will be published in Nature Astronomy, prompting questions about the diverse types of planets yet to be discovered.
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