Is there some liquid planets out there?

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter MadAtom
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Liquid Planets
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the existence of liquid planets, exploring the conditions under which such planets might form and the definitions of what constitutes a "liquid planet." Participants consider various planetary compositions and the implications of different states of matter in planetary formation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question the laws that might prevent the existence of giant liquid planets with rocky nuclei.
  • Others note that while gaseous planets are common, Jupiter's composition includes liquid hydrogen due to high internal pressure, suggesting a broader definition of liquid planets.
  • One participant highlights the rarity of liquid water on planets outside the habitable zone, mentioning that moons like Europa and Triton may harbor subsurface oceans of liquid water.
  • Another participant introduces the idea of "liquid rock," referencing Earth's early formation when it was largely molten.
  • A participant expresses intent to further study gaseous planets before reformulating their question, indicating ongoing exploration of the topic.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying definitions of what constitutes a liquid planet and discuss different planetary compositions, indicating that multiple competing views remain without consensus.

Contextual Notes

Definitions of "liquid planet" are not universally agreed upon, and assumptions about planetary formation and composition are not fully explored. The discussion also touches on the limitations of current knowledge regarding extraterrestrial water and the conditions necessary for liquid states on other planets.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in planetary science, astrophysics, and the conditions for liquid states in celestial bodies may find this discussion relevant.

MadAtom
Messages
37
Reaction score
0
Is there some liquid planets out there?

well there are gaseous planets... what are the laws that avoid the existence of a giant liquid planet with a little rocky nucleus?
 
Astronomy news on Phys.org


As far as we know, most planetary systems form from gas clouds that are composed mostly of Hydrogen. So giant planets are far more likely to get as massive as they are by absorbing large amounts of hydrogen and not other materials, which are far more rare.

However, consider the fact that Jupiter's composition is dominated by LIQUID hydrogen thanks to the enormous pressure inside it. So the answer to your question may depend on what you consider to be a "liquid planet".
 
The trouble with liquid water is we are unlikely to find it on planets outside of a stars habitable zone, and few such candidates are known to exist thus far. But, we need not leave the solar system to find extraterrestrial water. Europa and Triton, satellites of Jupiter and Saturn, are suspected to possesses vast oceans of liquid water underneath their frozen surfaces - see http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/scitech/display.cfm?ST_ID=286 for discussion.e
 


Does liquid rock count? :smile:

Go back in time to the early days of its formation and Earth was a 'liquid' planet, for suitable values of 'liquid'.
 


I think I'm going to study more about gaseous planets then I'll reformulate my question... thank you all.
 

Similar threads

Undergrad Formation of rocky planets without a star
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
2K
Undergrad New Developments In The Search For Planet X
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
Undergrad How Can We Measure Properties of Distant Planets and Stars?
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
3K
Undergrad Effects of gravity on planetary core structure
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
Undergrad Evidence for existence of a 9th Planet in the solar system
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
3K
Undergrad Composition of Jupiter: Ices, Cores & Outer Gas Layers
  • · Replies 24 ·
Replies
24
Views
4K
Undergrad Exoplanet Climate: Can Planets Have Multiple Liquid Layers?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Undergrad Does gravity compress matter in planets?
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
Undergrad What's the largest rocky planet with 1g gravity in theory?
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
5K
Stargazing Possibility of small bodies of liquid etc
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
3K