Steam Worlds and Sub-Neptunes: New Frontiers in the Search for Extraterrestrial Life
Scientists have developed a new model to better understand 'steam worlds,' planets too hot for liquid water and filled with water vapor, which could help in the search for habitable planets. The model considers exotic water states like supercritical water and superionic ice, and is relevant for interpreting observations from telescopes like JWST and future missions like ESA's PLATO. This research enhances our understanding of the most common types of exoplanets and their potential for hosting life.