Coldest Lava Exoplanet Found to Hold an Atmosphere

An internation team of researchers has found that an Earth-sized lava world, HD 3167 b, might possess an atmosphere, challenging previous assumptions about the atmospheric behavior of "colder" lava worlds. The study, published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, used NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope to observe the exoplanet’s secondary eclipse, revealing it may have a cooler surface than previously thought. The findings suggest that the planet’s heat from the dayside is redistributed to the night side, which is important because the planet is tidally locked, meaning one side always faces its star. The researchers claim this could mean HD 3167 b might have an atmosphere, despite being on the colder end of the temperature spectrum. The study challenges previous understanding of how lava worlds retain atmospheres, as they are known to be bare rocks without atmospheres. The lead author, Brandon Park Coy, notes that this result could provide insights into Earth’s early history, suggesting that early Earth might have been similar to a lava world. The study highlights the importance of studying exoplanets to understand planetary formation and potential for life.

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