10 Craziest Planets In The Universe
6. The Planet Of Ice And Fire
Gliese 436b is a Neptune-sized exoplanet that orbits the red dwarf Gliese 436 in the constellation Leo, approximately 31.8 light years from Earth.
Discovered in 2004, this planet’s surface temperature reaches 439 Celsius - 822 Fahrenheit. Yet, when we observe this planet, the entire surface is composed of ice.
This ice even persists through an incredibly close orbit (15 times closer than Mercury to the Sun), as well as a run-away “greenhouse” effect in the atmosphere. So how is this even possible?
It turns out that the gravity on this planet is so immense, that any water vapour that is made due to the ice melting is immediately compressed back to the surface. This retention of water vapour allows it to refreeze before being evaporated once more. The cycle just keeps on going.
Therefore, if you somehow managed to survive the crushing forces of the planet and the atmosphere, you would still likely burn to death whilst being surrounded by ice.