A new study published in Nature Astronomy has introduced a groundbreaking framework for understanding lava planets—rocky exoplanets that orbit so close to their host stars that their surfaces are continuously molten or even vaporized. These extreme worlds, often completing an orbit in just a few days, experience surface temperatures exceeding 2,000 degrees Celsius. The research offers a fresh perspective on how these planets evolve and interact with their stellar environments.

Researchers from Imperial College London, led by Dr. James E. Owen, propose that lava planets follow one of two distinct evolutionary paths. Young lava planets are characterized by fully molten interiors and atmospheres that reflect the planet’s bulk composition. These mineral-rich vapors, which may contain elements such as sodium, silicon, and iron, offer valuable clues about the planet’s internal structure and formation history.

In contrast, older lava planets undergo cooling and solidification over time. As their interiors become more stable, their atmospheres become chemically depleted. This shift alters how the planet exchanges heat and material with its surroundings and may influence its long-term stability and potential for hosting complex chemistry.

The study challenges the notion that lava planets are geologically static. Instead, it presents them as dynamic systems undergoing significant changes in both surface and atmospheric composition. This evolving framework has earned the research team 100 hours of observation time on the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), which will be used to study known lava planets such as 55 Cancri e and K2-141b.

JWST’s infrared capabilities will allow scientists to analyze the mineral content of these planets’ atmospheres and surface emissions. These observations are expected to validate the proposed model and provide deeper insight into the geological and atmospheric processes shaping these extreme worlds.

The implications of this research extend beyond lava planets themselves. Understanding how atmospheres evolve under intense heat and gravitational stress may shed light on broader planetary phenomena, including atmospheric escape, surface renewal, and planet-star interactions. Lava planets may also serve as analogs for early Earth or Venus, offering a glimpse into the violent conditions that shaped terrestrial planets in their infancy.

Colorado institutions such as the University of Colorado Boulder and the Southwest Research Institute continue to play a vital role in exoplanetary research and JWST instrumentation. As the telescope gathers data, scientists in the state are expected to contribute significantly to the analysis and interpretation of these findings.

The study of lava planets is rapidly transforming from a niche interest into a central topic in planetary science. These molten worlds offer a unique opportunity to observe planetary geology and atmospheric evolution on a cosmic scale. Their continued exploration may help scientists better understand the processes that govern rocky planets across the galaxy, including our own.

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