Hycean

Quick meaning: Hycean is an adjective meaning (astronomy, planetology, of a planet, neologism) Having a water-based ocean that covers the entire planet, and an atmosphere rich in hydrogen.

Meaning

(astronomy, planetology, of a planet, neologism) Having a water-based ocean that covers the entire planet, and an atmosphere rich in hydrogen.

Example Sentences

These hydrogen-rich ocean worlds, or hycean worlds, may be habitable.

And learning more about Hycean planets could help scientists find biosignatures, or signs of life, outside of our solar system in the near future.

While LTT 1445 Ab is not in the traditional habitable zone of its star (Winters et al. 2019), it is considered as a candidate Hycean world where a liquid ocean may exist underneath a H₂-dominated atmosphere.

With densities between those of rocky super-Earths and more extended mini-Neptunes, Hycean planets can be optimal candidates in the search for exoplanetary habitability and may be abundant in the exoplanet population.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include hydrogenous, hydrogeniferous, hyperoceanic, airohydrogen, hydro, hydroptic.

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