Researchers discover volcanic planets – could there be liquid water there?

The newly discovered exoplanet LP 791-18d is about 90 light-years away from Earth and is covered all over by volcanoes. (Artist's impression) NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center/Chris Smith (KRBwyle) ©

A research team discovers an Earth-sized planet with volcanic activity. Even if it sounds paradoxical, this could be an indication of an atmosphere and water.

Montreal – A team of researchers led by Merrin Peterson of the Trottier Institute for Research on Exoplanets (iREx) at the University of Montreal has discovered an Earth-sized planet that has a special property: it appears to be volcanically active. The exoplanet LP 791-18d orbits a small red dwarf star at a distance of 90 light years. Two other planets that have been known for some time also orbit this star.

The importance of volcanism for planets is causing a stir among experts. "Volcanism is the main source contributing to a planet's atmosphere, and with an atmosphere, there could be liquid water on the surface – a prerequisite for life as we know it," explains astrophysicist Stephen Kane.

Exoplanet LP 791-18d has volcanic activity

The volcanic activity on LP 791-18d is made possible by an interaction with the neighboring planet LP 791-18c. This orbits the star at a greater distance than the volcanic planet LP 791-18d. As the two planets approach, the enormous gravitational pull of planet c creates an elliptical rather than round orbit for planet d. This deformation of the orbit creates friction, heats up the interior of the planet and leads to volcanic activity on the surface.

A study describing the newly discovered planet has been published in the journal Nature. But how does the research team come up with the idea that water could exist on a planet whose surface is believed to be completely covered by volcanoes? There are two reasons for this: The planet is in the so-called "habitable zone" – its distance from the star is just right for the temperature on the planet to allow liquid water on the surface.

Volcano planet always turns the same side to its star

In addition, the planet is in a bound rotation, in which it always faces the same side of the star. One side of the planet is permanently brightly lit and hot, while the other side is constantly in the dark. "The day side is probably too hot for liquid water to exist there on the surface," co-author Björn Benneke suspects in a statement. "But the amount of volcanic activity we suspect anywhere on the planet could maintain an atmosphere that allows water to condense on the night side."

But even if there is liquid water on planet LP 791-18d, the exoplanet would probably not be habitable, according to the research group that authored the study. The constant activity of the volcanoes would make the planet uninhabitable, even with water. Nevertheless, the presence of volcanoes provides research with new insights into evolution, as co-author Jessie Christiansen explains: "A big question in astrobiology is whether tectonic or volcanic activity is needed for life."

Volcanism can bring important building blocks of life to the surface

Volcanism carries material from the interior of the planet upwards that might otherwise sink downwards. In this way, materials that are important for the emergence of life can also reach the surface – carbon, for example.

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NASA's space telescopes "TESS" and "Spitzer" were involved in the discovery of the new planet, numerous ground-based telescopes were used for further study. Planet c will also be studied by the James Webb Space Telescope in the future, as confirmed by the US space agency Nasa. The research team now wants to apply for observation time for the powerful space telescope for Planet D as well.

This article, written by the editors, used machine support. The article was carefully reviewed by editor Tanja Banner before publication.