Scientists have identified a new class of molten “liquid planets,” with L 98-59 d showcasing extreme heat, magma oceans, and a toxic, sulfur-rich atmosphere.

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• Scientists have discovered a new category of exoplanets called “liquid planets,” which exist in a permanent molten, mushy state rather than being solid or ocean-covered worlds.
• The planet L 98-59 d, located around 35 light-years away, was detected using the advanced James Webb Space Telescope, enabling detailed atmospheric and surface analysis.
• This planet has extreme surface temperatures reaching nearly 1,900°C, hot enough to maintain a global ocean of molten silicate magma instead of solid rock crust.
• Its atmosphere contains high levels of hydrogen sulfide gas, which would create a strong rotten egg-like smell, making it highly toxic and inhospitable.
• Gravitational interactions with nearby planets generate tidal heating, causing massive waves within the magma ocean and preventing the planet from cooling down.
• Scientists believe a runaway greenhouse effect traps heat inside the planet’s thick atmosphere, maintaining its molten state for extended geological periods.
• The discovery challenges traditional classifications of small planets, suggesting that many previously assumed “water worlds” might actually be molten lava planets instead.
• These planets provide insights into early Earth conditions, helping researchers understand planetary evolution and identify false signals in the search for habitable worlds.