BFD...we don't have to travel that far for this scenario; we have it here on Earth.
Posted on 11/06/2020 5:41:06 PM PST by nickcarraway
If you thought living on Earth in 2020 was comparable to hell, planet K2-141b is here to prove you wrong.
On the scorching hot planet, hundreds of light-years away, oceans are made of molten lava, winds reach supersonic speeds and rain is made of rocks. Scientists have referred to the bizarre, hellish exoplanet as one of the most "extreme" ever discovered.
According to a new study published in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, scientists from McGill University, York University and the Indian Institute of Science Education have uncovered details of one of the newest "lava planets" — a world that so closely orbits its host star that much of it is composed of flowing lava oceans.
Scientists found the atmosphere and weather cycle of K2-141b to be particularly bizarre. The Earth-sized exoplanet appears to have a surface, ocean and atmosphere all made of the same ingredients: rocks.
"The study is the first to make predictions about weather conditions on K2-141b that can be detected from hundreds of light years away with next-generation telescopes such as the James Webb Space Telescope," lead author Giang Nguyen said in a news release this week.
Artist's impression of the lava planet K2-141b. At the center of the large illuminated region, there is an ocean of molten rock overlain by an atmosphere of rock vapor. Supersonic winds blow towards the frigid and airless nightside, condensing into rock rain and snow, which sluggishly flow back to the hottest region of the magma ocean.
While analyzing the planet's illumination pattern, scientists found that about two-thirds of the planet experiences perpetual daylight. K2-141b's close proximity to its star gravitationally locks it in place — meaning the same side always faces the star.
This scorching hot part of the planet reaches temperatures of over 5,400 degrees Fahrenheit. It's hot enough to not only melt rocks, but also vaporize them, creating a thin, inhospitable atmosphere.
"Our finding likely means that the atmosphere extends a little beyond the shore of the magma ocean, making it easier to spot with space telescopes," said co-author Nicolas Cowan.
The rest of the planet is cloaked in never-ending darkness, reaching frigid temperatures of negative 328 degrees Fahrenheit.
In Earth's water cycle, water evaporates, rises up into the atmosphere, condenses, and returns to the surface as rain. Now imagine that process, but instead of water, K2-141b only has rocks to work with.
The sodium, silicon monoxide, and silicon dioxide on K2-141b evaporate into mineral vapor, which is carried to the dark side of the planet by supersonic winds that rage over 3,100 miles per hour. From there, rocks "rain" back down into the 60-mile-deep magma ocean, which flows to the bright side to restart the cycle.
However, this cycle is not as stable as the one on Earth, scientists said. The flow of magma ocean from the night side to the day side is slower — researchers predict the mineral composition will change over time, eventually altering the surface and atmosphere of the planet entirely.
"All rocky planets, including Earth, started off as molten worlds but then rapidly cooled and solidified. Lava planets give us a rare glimpse at this stage of planetary evolution," Cowan said.
Scientists hope to further verify their observations when the highly-anticipated James Webb Space Telescope launches in 2021.
Sounds like a good place to send Democrat leadership right after Trump is inaugurated again.
Elon, you got that rocket ready?
I wonder how RBG is dealing with it?
We need more $$ to determine if life there is friendly towards libs.
lol And he’s on our side at least to some degree so he’ll send them :)
Is this the one with the guy in the hard hat and goggles over his giant eyes?
lol
Gotta use a mighty strong umbrella :)
“hundreds of light-years away” And all of that speculation is taken as fact. What a joke.
The left is hammering us about how we need to save the planet and return it to its pristine condition. I remind them that at one time the Earth was molten rock, no water, no atmosphere, with no life, and I ask them if that is the condition they want to return the Earth to.
I’ve been to that Mexican restaurant.
We think it’s a hell planet because it rains rocks. They think we’re a hell planet because it rains lies (spewed by libs). I can’t argue with them.
Pray tell how we can know the atmosphere of a planet that exists in our knowledge only as a minuscule fleeting shadow across the face of a very distant star.
BFD...we don't have to travel that far for this scenario; we have it here on Earth.
ROFL!!!!!
It’s not a living being!!
It doesn’t feel and it doesn’t care.
The most extreme environment folks act like it’s another type of animal.
it’s not
Who is that?
Looks like from my era...the hair bands...loved Scorpions and Bon Jovi and GnR etc :)
Iron Maiden...saw em 3x...only one disappointment (Jones Beach, early in the 7th Son tour, and Alice Cooper the opener was the better band that night).
McCain is probably talking her through it.
Peach
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