Scientists Find Small Exoplanet, Denser Than Earth

SAN FRANCISCO, iNews.id – Scientists are getting better at characterizing exoplanet and that led to some interesting discoveries. DLR-led team has discovered planet GJ 367b smaller than Earth with a diameter of 5,592 miles.

But planet GJ 367b is denser than Earth, almost as dense as iron and 86 percent of the planet is made of metal. This planet is more like Mercury than Earth. Of course, GJ 367b is not habitable.

Planet GJ 367b is so close to its red dwarf host that its orbit takes only 7.7 hours, and its radiation is so intense that it can reach up to 2,732 degrees Fahrenheit.

That temperature is sufficient to melt any metal and rock, and certainly does not allow life as we know it. It is safe to assume there will be no colonization missions as a result, as quoted from Engadget.

Editor: Dini Listiyani