Strange Alien World Made of "Hot Ice"

David Shiga writes "The smallest planet ever seen passing in front of its parent star is a strange world of scorching hot ice, astronomers say. The 22-Earth-mass planet has been known since 2004, but recent observations of it passing in front of its parent star have allowed them to learn much more about it. It appears to be made mostly of water, but not in liquid form. The planet orbits so close to its parent star that its surface is a broiling 300 C, keeping any water there in vapor form. Beneath the atmosphere, the water is even hotter, but is at such high pressure because of the planet's large mass that it stays in a solid, "hot ice" form."

Comments

The Joke Section...

[Notquitecajun]

Cue all "Icy Hot" Jokes HERE, where we can track, categorize, and shoot the offenders.

Cue Benatar, a smaller local star:

[smittyoneeach]

Ooo, you're givin' me the fever tonight
I don't wanna give in
I'd be playin' with fire
You forget, I've seen you work before
Take `em straight to the top
Leave `em cryin' for more
I've seen you burn `em before
Chorus:

Fire and Ice
You come on like a flame
Then you turn a cold shoulder
Fire and Ice
I wanna give you my love
But you'll just take a little piece of my heart

You'll just tear it apart

Movin' in for the kill tonight
You got every advantage when they put out the lights
It's not so pretty when it fades away
Cause it's just an illusion in this passion play
I've seen you burn `em before

(Chorus)

So you think you got it all figured out
You're an expert in the field, without a doubt
But I know your methods inside and out
And I won't be takin' in by Fire and Ice

(Chorus)

You come on like a flame
Then you turn a cold shoulder
Fire and Ice
I wanna give you my love
But you'll just take a little piece of my heart

You come on like a flame
Then you turn a cold shoulder
Fire and Ice

You come on like a flame
Then you turn a cold shoulder
Fire and Ice