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Scientists believe they have discovered a planet covered in intense volcanic activity. This discovery could reveal new secrets about planetary formation and the extremes of the universe. Learn more about this hellish world!
Astronomers from NASA and partner institutions have identified a planet that may be the most volcanic on record. L 98-59 b, located 35 light-years from Earth, presents constant and intense eruptions, an unprecedented phenomenon among known exoplanets.
This discovery challenges concepts about the formation and maintenance of atmospheres on planets so close to their stars.
A world in constant explosion
L 98-59 b orbits its red dwarf star every 2,25 days, a proximity that in theory should have dissipated its atmosphere long ago.
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However, data from the James Webb Space Telescope revealed the presence of sulfur dioxide in its atmosphere, a clear indication of intense volcanic activity.
On Earth and Jupiter's moon Io, this gas is a major indicator of volcanism. Scientists speculate that L 98-59 b is a world undergoing geological remodeling, with frequent eruptions renewing its surface. incessantly.
Furthermore, the planet may feature landscapes of molten lava and volcanic mountains in continuous transformation, making it one of the most fascinating objects ever studied in astronomy.
The effect of gravitational tides
Just as Io undergoes intense gravitational stretching due to interactions with Jupiter and other moons, L 98-59 b may be undergoing a similar process.
The proximity to its star and the gravitational influence of neighboring planets could be generating extreme internal heat. This heat would be responsible for maintaining its volcanic activity in an uninterrupted cycle of eruptions and gas release.
This phenomenon, known as tidal heating, could result in vast oceans of lava underground, which erupt to the surface in violent explosions. If confirmed, L 98-59 b could provide valuable insights into the geology of worlds outside our solar system.
A small but innovative planet
Although smaller than Earth, L 98-59 b may be the first small exoplanet to exhibit clear signs of an atmosphere.
This challenges previous models that suggested that small, rocky planets close to active stars would quickly lose any gaseous layer. The scientists hypothesize that instead of maintaining a stable atmosphere, such a planet continually renews it through incessant volcanism.
This opens up new possibilities for the study of planetary evolution and the search for habitable worlds, as it indicates that atmospheres may be more resilient than previously thought.
Despite the evidence obtained by JWST, more observations are needed to confirm the volcanic nature of L 98-59 b. Future research will look for other gas and thermal signatures that could indicate magma just below the surface.
These investigations could redefine our understanding of atmospheres and geological processes on exoplanets. Further studies could even allow us to create detailed models of the geological behavior of highly volcanic worlds.
With information from ZM.
