Exoplanet potentially transforming into ocean world with gaseous atmosphere.
Planetary scientists have characterized exoplanet HD-207496-b, located 138 light years from Earth, as having either a gaseous atmosphere, an ocean, or both. The exoplanet has a radius 2.25 times that of Earth, with an orbit of 6.44 days and a mass that is approximately 6.1 times Earth's. The research team deduced that the planet has a rocky core covered by mostly water or gas. Future study of the planet is likely to lead to a better understanding of its makeup.