A surprising discovery
Space news just dropped, and it’s giving major main character energy. Researchers led by the University of Chicago’s Brandon Park Coy have confirmed the existence of an atmosphere surrounding HD 3167 b, a "lava world" in the Pisces constellation. Located about 154 light-years away, this rocky super-Earth orbits its star in just one single day.
Why it matters
Usually, being that close to a star is a total L. Stellar winds and high-energy radiation should blast any atmosphere away, leaving just bare rock. "But it seems that many of these lava worlds do [have atmospheres]," says UChicago associate professor Edwin Kite. Because the planet’s dayside is cooler than it should be, researchers know something is redistributing the heat—and that something is likely an atmosphere.
The big picture
This isn't a spot for aliens, but it is a massive W for science. Understanding these super-hot planets helps us study the conditions of early Earth, which likely went through a "magma ocean" phase millions of years ago. By studying how these distant, burning worlds hold onto their gases, we’re getting a clearer picture of how rocky planets evolve. Real talk: it’s the closest we can get to time travel to see what our own planet looked like in its infancy.
