NASA has made a groundbreaking discovery of an exoplanet where volcano eruptions are continuously occurring. The exoplanet, named TOI-6713.01, is located approximately 66 light years away from our solar system and is about 30% larger than Earth. It boasts an incredibly high surface temperature of around 4220 degrees Fahrenheit, surpassing the heat found on some stars.
This discovery was made possible through the analysis of data collected by the NASA Tess space telescope, which focused on studying the HD 104067 star. The findings, detailed in The Astronomical Journal, revealed not only the presence of known giant and rocky planets within the star’s orbit but also the unique world of TOI-6713.01.
The characteristics and conditions found on TOI-6713.01 are reminiscent of those observed on Io, Jupiter’s highly volcanic moon. Astrophysicist Stephen Kane from the University of California in Riverside likened the exoplanet to “Io on steroids,” describing it as a planet constantly “exploding” with volcanic activity and appearing as a luminous, hot world covered in molten lava.
Scientists propose that the intense volcanic activity on TOI-6713.01 is likely a result of strong gravitational interactions with its parent star, similar to how Io’s volcanic activity is influenced by tidal heating from Jupiter and its moons. Tidal forces cause the compression and stretching of the moon, leading to heightened geophysical activity within its core.
Kane explains, “If Io were in a circular orbit around Jupiter without other moons nearby, its surface would remain calm. However, Jupiter’s gravity causes continuous volcanic eruptions by compressing the moon.” The same mechanism is believed to be at play on TOI-6713.01, as it transitions to an elliptical orbit due to strong tidal forces, resulting in extreme volcanic activity.
This discovery sheds light on the limits of energy that can be transferred to Earth-like planets and the subsequent repercussions. Kane emphasizes the significance of tidal forces in heating these planets, underscoring the importance of considering these factors in understanding planetary dynamics.