Astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope have discovered an unusual exoplanet called L 98-59 d that contains a vast ocean of molten rock beneath its surface. The planet traps large amounts of sulfur deep inside and exhibits sulfur-rich gases in its atmosphere, according to observations detailed in a new study.
This discovery challenges how scientists classify worlds beyond our Solar System. The planet represents a strange new kind of exoplanet that doesn't fit existing planetary categories, suggesting our understanding of planetary formation and composition may need updating.