Hydrogen can make water on alien worlds: A nature study just rewrote how planets form oceans
Astronomers now understand that water-rich planets can form internally, even close to stars. A new study reveals that high-pressure reactions between hydrogen and molten rock within sub-Neptunes generate vast amounts of water. This discovery challenges previous notions of planetary formation and habitability, suggesting even seemingly dry worlds could harbor deep oceans, fundamentally altering our search for life beyond Earth.
Astronomers now understand that water-rich planets can form internally, even close to stars. A new study reveals that high-pressure reactions between hydrogen and molten rock within sub-Neptunes generate vast amounts of water. This discovery challenges previous notions of planetary formation and habitability, suggesting even seemingly dry worlds could harbor deep oceans, fundamentally altering our search for life beyond Earth.
