An Earth-sized exoplanet orbiting a star in a galaxy neighboring the Milky Way has presented scientists with the greatest evidence yet of the existence of active volcanoes beyond our solar system.
The scientists‘ observations point to the presence of a rocky and craggy globe with frequent eruptions on its surface.
On Wednesday, scientists said that the planet, the third discovered orbiting a certain faint star, is most likely covered in active volcanoes, similar to Jupiter’s moon Io.
Io is the most volcanically active body in our solar system. Venus and Earth, as well as a few of Jupiter’s moons, are volcanically active in our solar system. The planet’s volcanism was not directly witnessed, but rather inferred because of its gravitational interaction with the largest of the two planets, which were also orbiting the dim star.
According to the researchers, the gravitational push of the larger planet may flex and squeeze the newly discovered planet, causing its innards to heat up and generate volcanic activity on the surface, similar to Io. Exoplanets are planets that exist outside of our solar system.
According to the researchers, the gravitational push of the larger planet may flex and squeeze the newly discovered planet, causing its innards to heat up and generate volcanic activity on the surface, similar to Io. Exoplanets are planets that exist outside of our solar system.
On two sides of an exoplanet, there might be deserts and freezing glaciers: Scientists
“There is not yet any direct observational evidence of exoplanet volcanism, but this planet is a particularly likely candidate,” University of Kansas astronomy professor Ian Crossfield said of the alien planet.
Crossfield is one of the study’s co-authors, and it was published in the journal Nature. Because the globe does not rotate, one side is always in sunshine and the other is always in utter darkness.
“On the dayside, it is too hot for liquid water, so it is likely very dry and hot – likely a desert. On the night side, there is possibly a large icy glacier,” stated co-author of the research Bjorn Benneke, who is also the head of the astronomy group at the University of Montreal.
“The most interesting region is near the terminator region where the day and nightside meet. Here, water from the nightside glacier can melt and possibly form liquid surface water. In addition, there is likely volcanism all around the planet, even under the ice on the nightside and possibly under the water near the terminator,” Benneke stated.
A harsh volcanic planet with potential for extraterrestrial life
The planet has been found in the Milky Way about 86 light-years away from our solar system. It was spotted in the direction of the constellation Crater.
“I imagine a rugged, young surface for the planet after many millions of years of constant volcanic activity. Since the gravitational effects don’t care about day and night side, I also suspect the volcanic activity to be evenly spread over the planetary surface,” stated the University of California, Riverside planetary astrophysicist and study co-author Stephen Kane.
“Since the planet is so volcanically active, it is still contributing gases to the atmosphere from the interior. As such, the planet probably still has an atmosphere. The planet is unlikely to be habitable, however, since the total amount of energy makes for a quite hostile environment. Who knows? Life may find a way,” he added.