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An artistic rendition of K2-141b.
Illustration: Julie Roussy, McGill Graphic Design, and Getty Images
Scientists have discovered a terrifying and inhospitable hell planet floating in space. And before you say, “Uh, I know, ma’am. I live here!” Let me clarify: they have found a second terrible hell planet, in addition to ours.
In a new article published on Royal Astronomical Society Monthly Notices, astronomers from York University, McGill University and the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research presented their models for the atmosphere and weather conditions of K2-141b, a “lava planet” located about 200 light-years away. distance. The planet rains rocks, has a huge ocean of lava over 60 miles deep, and winds whip across its surface at speeds more than four times the speed of sound. And, due to the way the little planet moves around its sun, part of it experiences permanent daylight and reaches temperatures as high as 5,432 degrees Fahrenheit, while the other part exists in permanent darkness and temperatures. drop to negative -328 degrees.
But there are also disadvantages to living there. For example, as I said earlier, the rock rain. On our infernal planet, the water cycle is such that water evaporates, rises into the atmosphere, condenses and falls back in the form of precipitation. The same process occurs on K2-141b, except with rocks instead of water. The extreme heat from one side causes the rocks to evaporate into the air and then the supersonic winds drag the particles to the cold side, where they condense back into the rock and fall into the deep ocean of lava.
The planet probably won’t be like this forever, though, says Professor Nicolas Cowan, one of the study’s authors: “All rocky planets, including Earth, started out as fused worlds but then quickly cooled and solidified. The lava planets give us a rare glimpse at this stage of planetary evolution. “
I know this all sounds pretty unpleasant, but think: at least on K2-141b you shouldn’t have to deal with the Electoral College.
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