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Oddball reflective lava world puzzling astronomers
Original: This oddball reflective lava world is challenging to understand https:// phys.org/news/2026-10-oddball- lava-world.html
Astronomers are studying an unusual ultra-short-period exoplanet, one of the 'lava worlds' discovered by the Kepler and TESS missions that orbit their stars extremely quickly. This reflective planet is proving difficult to explain, as its properties do not fit neatly with current models of how such close-orbiting, molten-surfaced worlds form and evolve.
Why now: New research highlights an exoplanet that defies current scientific understanding, drawing interest from space and astronomy audiences.
NASAKeplerTESSultra-short-period exoplanets
Evidence
- This oddball reflective lava world is challenging to understand https:// phys.org/news/2026-10-oddball- lava-world.html Among Kepler and TESS's many surprising exoplanet discoveries are the ultra-short-period (USP) planets. These planets move very quickly and complete an orbit… · fediboard_science@flipboard.social · 1
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