Draft:Soot planet
A soot planet is a type of planet that is rich in "soot", a type of refractory organic carbon that is rich in hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen. The atmospheres of soot planets are rich in methane and other hydrocarbons. These planets have low densities. They form in regions of the protoplanetary disk where soot is abundant (soot line) and are suspected to be a common type of planet. Many water-rich planets (ocean worlds) that have been discovered are possibly soot planets instead, being misidentified due to their similar low densities and water-rich composition.[1][2]
Soot-water worlds are a subclass of soot planets where a significant part of their composition is water, making them similar to comets.[1][2]
Terminology
[edit]The term "soot" in this context does not refer to the black substance formed from the incomplete burning of organic matter;[3] it instead refers to solids rich in carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen (CHON).[2]
Habitability
[edit]The abundance of organic compounds can potentially make these planets habitable, having a constant supply of organic material such as methane and ammonia. However, these planets may also have an abundance of diamond in the silicate mantle, which can increase the viscosity and thermal conductivity of the mantle by several orders of magnitude and make the surface inhospitable for life. The carbon-rich core of a soot planet would also decrease its magnetic field, removing protection from the star's stellar winds and cosmic radiation.[1]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- 1 2 3 Li, Jie; Bergin, Edwin A.; Hirschmann, Marc M.; Blake, Geoffrey A.; Ciesla, Fred J.; Kempton, Eliza M.-R. (2026). "Soot Planets Instead of Water Worlds". The Astrophysical Journal Letters. 997 (1): L29. arXiv:2508.16781. Bibcode:2026ApJ...997L..29L. doi:10.3847/2041-8213/ae29a6.
- 1 2 3 Zoellner, Kasper (2025-10-17). "Are Water Worlds Just Made of Soot?". astrobites.org. Retrieved 2026-01-11.
- ↑ "Definition of SOOT". www.merriam-webster.com. 2026-01-05. Retrieved 2026-01-11.