Under extreme pressures, Uranus and Neptune may conceal an unknown state of matter with surprising properties, reveals a study.

Written by Andriely Medeiros de Araújo

Published on 19/04/2026 at 11:12

Updated on 02/05/2026 at 15:02

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Study indicates that Uranus and Neptune may host an unknown state of matter with unusual properties in the interior of the planets.

A new study published in March in the journal Nature Communications suggests that Uranus and Neptune may host an unknown state of matter in their deeper regions. The discovery was made through computational simulations that analyzed the behavior of substances under extremely high pressures and intense temperatures. The results help explain unusual characteristics of these planets and expand the scientific knowledge about their internal structures.

Structure of Uranus and Neptune still challenges explanations

Even after decades of observation, the interior of Uranus and Neptune remains poorly understood. Data obtained from Earth and by the Voyager 2 probe indicate that, beneath the hydrogen and helium-rich atmospheres, there are dense layers known as “hot ice.”

These regions are composed of water, methane, and ammonia, forming an environment extremely different from any condition found on Earth. Additionally, under intense pressures, the carbon present can crystallize and form diamonds that sink toward the core.

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Study reveals unknown state of matter under extreme pressure

To investigate these conditions, scientists conducted simulations based on quantum physics focused on carbon hydride, a molecule composed of carbon and hydrogen.

The conditions analyzed in the study were extreme:

Analyzed factor	Simulated condition
Pressure	Millions of times greater than that of Earth
Temperature	Comparable to the surface of the Sun
Material	Carbon hydride

The results indicated the emergence of a superionic material, characterized as a possible unknown state of matter.

Unusual behavior of the identified material

In this state, the matter exhibits mixed properties. Some of the atoms remain organized as in a solid, while another part moves freely, similar to a liquid.

According to the researchers, carbon forms fixed structures in hexagonal networks, while hydrogen moves in spiral trajectories. This unusual behavior may alter important physical properties in the interior of the planets.

Study indicates that Uranus and Neptune may harbor an unknown state of matter with unusual properties inside the planets.Credit: Cong Liu/Carnegie Science

Uranus and Neptune: anomalies may have a new explanation

The presence of this unknown state of matter may help to understand phenomena observed especially in Uranus. The planet has a magnetic field with a steep inclination and offset from its center, as well as a peculiar rotation, with the axis almost tilted on its side.

According to the study, this type of material may directly influence electrical conductivity and magnetism, offering a possible explanation for these unusual characteristics.

In addition to expanding the understanding of Uranus and Neptune, the research also suggests that this type of phenomenon may occur on other similar planets. In environments with extreme conditions, simple materials like carbon and hydrogen may exhibit behaviors that are still not well understood.

This scenario reinforces the idea that matter, in different regions of the universe, may exist in forms that are much more varied than those already identified by science.

With information from Olhar Digital

Under extreme pressures, Uranus and Neptune may conceal an unknown state of matter with surprising properties, reveals a study.

Study indicates that Uranus and Neptune may host an unknown state of matter with unusual properties in the interior of the planets.

Structure of Uranus and Neptune still challenges explanations

Study reveals unknown state of matter under extreme pressure

Unusual behavior of the identified material

Uranus and Neptune: anomalies may have a new explanation

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Under extreme pressures, Uranus and Neptune may conceal an unknown state of matter with surprising properties, reveals a study.

Study indicates that Uranus and Neptune may host an unknown state of matter with unusual properties in the interior of the planets.

Structure of Uranus and Neptune still challenges explanations

Study reveals unknown state of matter under extreme pressure

Unusual behavior of the identified material

Uranus and Neptune: anomalies may have a new explanation

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