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New Lava Planet Found: Implications for Exoplanet Diversity

3/17/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Astronomers have identified L98-59d, a molten lava planet about 35 light-years from Earth.
The planet is 1.6 times Earth's size and reaches about 1,900°C.
It has a sulfur-rich atmosphere, with analyses indicating a global magma ocean and possibly a molten core.
The findings, published in Nature Astronomy, warn that many habitable-zone planets may be molten, shaping exoplanet diversity.

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Story summary

Astronomers have identified L98-59d, a molten lava planet about 35 light-years from Earth.
The planet is 1.6 times Earth's size and reaches about 1,900°C.
It has a sulfur-rich atmosphere, with analyses indicating a global magma ocean and possibly a molten core.
The findings, published in Nature Astronomy, warn that many habitable-zone planets may be molten, shaping exoplanet diversity.