Data from NASA’s TESS Satellite and the now-deactivated Spitzer Space Telescope have discovered a rocky Earth-sized planet with some “extreme features.” The planet, called LP 791-18 d, orbits a red dwarf star in the constellation Taurus, about 90 light-years from Earth. The planet’s elliptical orbit causes it to change shape slightly each time it approaches, which causes friction inside the planet, leading to volcanic activity all over its surface. In other words, the entire surface of this planet seems to be covered with volcanoes.
There are two other planets in the star system named LP 791-18 b and c. LP 791-18 b is approximately 20% larger than Earth, while c is 2.5 times the width of Earth and seven times its mass. Data for the volcanic LP 791-18 d comes from the now-defunct Spitzer Telescope. Based on recent observations recorded by the telescope, the researchers believe that despite the planet’s surface, there may be a habitable environment here.
In fact, astronomers don’t need to look far to study extraterrestrial volcanoes. Within the solar system, Jupiter’s moon Io continues to glow with volcanic activity. It’s also predicted that Venus may have hosted a volcanic eruption in the early 1990s, according to a recent data analysis.
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