New exoplanet a hot 'ice giant'
POSTED: 12:54 p.m. EDT, May 16, 2007
Story Highlights• Astronomers detect planet made mostly of hot, solid water
• Planet GJ 436b is a frozen world but high pressure makes it hot
• GJ 436b orbits quickly around a cool, red star just 30 light-years away from Earth
• The exoplanet is likely blanketed by hydrogen -- conditions not conducive to life


WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- An odd planet the size of Neptune, made mostly of hot, solid water, has been discovered not far from Earth and offers evidence that other planets may be covered with oceans, European astronomers reported Wednesday.

Called GJ 436b, the planet orbits quickly around a cool, red star just 30 light-years away, the team at the Geneva Observatory said.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/TECH/space/05/16/odd.exoplanet.reut/index.html