Overview
- UC Santa Cruz researchers led by Artem Aguichine published the model on July 24 in The Astrophysical Journal with Natalie Batalha and Jonathan Fortney.
- The model integrates laboratory data on water under extreme pressure and temperature, including supercritical phases and potential superionic ice.
- It tracks how sub‑Neptunes evolve over millions to billions of years rather than relying on static interior snapshots.
- JWST has detected steam in the atmospheres of multiple sub‑Neptunes, with GJ 9827 d cited as an example that is considered inhospitable.
- Ongoing JWST observations and ESA’s upcoming PLATO mission are expected to test and refine the model’s predictions.