JOURNAL ARTICLE

Alien worlds may be able to make their own water: Ocean planets could arise from rocks reacting with thick hydrogen atmospheres, lab experiments show.

  • Published In: Sciencemag.org, 2025. P. N.PAG 1 of 3

  • Database: Applied Science & Technology Source Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: ANDREWS, ROBIN GEORGE 3 of 3

Abstract

The article discusses a new experimental study that reveals how certain exoplanets, specifically sub-Neptunes, can generate their own water through a chemical reaction between their rocky cores and thick hydrogen atmospheres. Researchers recreated the extreme conditions found in these planets using diamond anvils and pulsed lasers, demonstrating that molten minerals can react with atmospheric hydrogen to produce significant volumes of water. This finding suggests that ocean worlds may be more common than previously thought, as these planets can maintain their molten cores and water production for billions of years. The study highlights the potential for these planets to support life, depending on their temperatures and atmospheric conditions. [Extracted from the article]

Additional Information

  • Source:Sciencemag.org. 2025/10, pN.PAG
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Chemistry
  • Publication Date:2025
  • Accession Number:189013016
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