Volcanic Earth-Like Exoplanet Discovered in Habitable Zone
TL;DR
Astronomers have discovered an exoplanet, LP 791-18d, that is almost the same size as Earth and sits in the habitable zone of its star. However, the planet's rotation is tidally locked, meaning one side is always in scorching hot daylight, and the other in perpetual night. The planet's insides are probably a roiling hot mess that erupt from its surface in the form of raging volcanoes. The discovery could help astronomers better understand how habitable conditions emerge on Earth-like planets and the importance of studying each planetary system holistically.
- Earth-Like World Covered in Raging Volcanoes May Have Been Found ScienceAlert
- Earth-Sized Exoplanet With Fiery Volcanoes Discovered in Habitable Zone SciTechDaily
- Astronomers find Earth-sized planet covered in volcanoes WION
- New exoplanet research indicates how volcanoes could generate alien life on other worlds Salon
- Montreal astronomers discover Earth-sized planet potentially covered with volcanoes CTV News
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