Scientists have found a strange new planet that is covered in lava. The planet, called HD 3167 b, is located 154 light-years from Earth. It orbits its star so closely that one year there lasts just one Earth day. Despite being a lava world, this planet is unusually cool. Researchers believe it could resemble what our own planet looked like long ago.
What makes this discovery remarkable is that the planet has kept its atmosphere. Most rocky planets that orbit so close to their star lose their atmosphere quickly. They are bombarded by strong winds and radiation from their star. However, HD 3167 b appears to have a thick atmosphere that moves heat around the planet. This is why its dayside temperature is noticeably cooler than scientists expected.
The team used the James Webb Space Telescope to study the planet. They observed it in mid-infrared light during a secondary eclipse. This means they watched what happened when the planet passed behind its star. The data revealed that the planet was much cooler than it should have been. Scientists concluded that an atmosphere was the best explanation for this.
Researchers say this discovery matters because early Earth was also a lava world. Billions of years ago, our planet had a surface of melted rock. By studying HD 3167 b, scientists hope to understand how Earth developed its atmosphere. If they could learn more about these distant worlds, they would gain insight into how life began. So far, five lava worlds with atmospheres have been confirmed.
