Rocky planets around fiery stars could hide their water for later use, but it takes 3 to 8 times the amount in our world’s oceans to end up Earthlike.
In planet formation, as in poker, you have to play the hand you’re dealt. If an Earthlike planet is the goal, the best starting hand might contain three to eight times all the water in Earth’s oceans.
“There’s kind of a sweet spot,” says Keavin Moore, a planetary scientist at McGill University in Montreal. Less water, and the planet dries out. More water, andMoore and colleagues wondered what would happen if planets could hide the water destined to become oceans and atmospheres in their interiors until their host stars calmed down with age.
For an Earth-mass planet in Moore’s simulation to end up with oceans and continents after about 5 billion years, it needed to start with three to eight times the amount of water in Earth’s oceans, he and his colleagues found. Planets that started out with up to 12 times Earth’s oceans could wind up as watery worlds, completely covered by ocean with no dry surface whatsoever. Such planets
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Rocky vs. Drago: What would the betting odds have been in 'Rocky IV'?Drago -1000? Rocky as a favorite?! Sammy P got gambling industry experts to debate the hypothetical betting line on “Rocky IV'.
Read more »
New imaging technique uses Earth's warped surface to reveal rocky interiorSurface mapping technology such as GPS, radar and laser scanning have long been used to measure features on the Earth's surface. Now, a new computational technique developed at The University of Texas at Austin is allowing scientists to use those technologies to look inside the planet.
Read more »
An asteroid larger than 99% of near-Earth asteroids will pass Earth this weekTwo asteroids will pass Earth back-to-back this week, just in time to celebrate Asteroid Day 2024. Here's what we know.
Read more »
Westminster City Council meeting explores next steps for Rocky Mountain Greenway TrailThe trail would connect three front-range national wildlife refuges: Rocky Mountain Arsenal, Two Ponds and Rocky Flats with Rocky Mountain National Park.
Read more »
Earth's Water Is Rapidly Losing Oxygen, And The Danger Is HugeThe Best in Science News and Amazing Breakthroughs
Read more »
Sulfur was key to the first water on EarthHydrogen bonded with sulfur may have given our world its first water after the hydrogen broke away and joined with oxygen in the planet’s crust.
Read more »