Lava World

Summary: The data from Kepler has revealed another planet that would be brilliant inspiration of any sci-fi novel you are trying to write. This planet, Kepler 78b, is mostly rock and iron but extremely close to its host star. This, paired with the theory that it is tidally locked, means that it is reasonable to assume that that side of the planet is completely molten. With that side of the planet being between 2,000C and 2,800C, it is obviously too hot to support life. It is uncertain what the temperatures on the other side of the planet might be or how far down the molten layer goes. This planet is also an enigma because "according to current theories of planet formation, Kepler 78b could not have formed so close to its star, nor could it have moved there." As a bonus, it is also doomed to be slowly pulled closer and closer into it's star which will proceed to rip it apart.


BBC News
Nature