New Class of Sulphur-Rich Planets Identified

Oxford team publishes in Nature Astronomy about L 98-59 d being molten, sulphur-rich with hydrogen sulphide.
2024 James Webb Space Telescope and ground-based spectra observed low density and sulphur gases around L 98-59 d.
Simulations model 5-billion-year evolution, showing mantle with global magma ocean storing sulphur.
Ultraviolet light from red dwarf L 98-59 drives atmospheric sulphur chemistry.
Team applies simulations to JWST, Ariel, PLATO data, suggesting new class of sulphur-rich planets.
Magma-ocean physics could map planetary diversity and habitability, aiding rocky planet formation.

Astronomy | Planetary Science | Exoplanets

4 hours ago