Astronomers Discover a Strange Molten Planet That Smells Like Rotten Eggs

The exoplanet L 98-59 d, located 35 light-years away, has been identified as a world of extreme conditions.

According to a 2026 study in Nature Astronomy, this planet is covered by a global ocean of molten rock, or magma.

This unique environment traps hydrogen sulfide—a chemical compound that gives rotten eggs their distinct, pungent smell—and releases it into the atmosphere.

Unlike typical rocky planets or gas giants, L 98-59 d represents a new class of sulfurous, gas-rich worlds.

Using data from the James Webb Space Telescope, researchers believe studying this planet is like peering into a time machine, offering clues about how rocky planets like Earth evolved in their early, molten stages.

Although it is certainly not a place humans could ever visit, the discovery of L 98-59 d shows us that the universe is far more diverse than we once imagined.

It reminds us that even planets with a foul odor can provide vital insights into the history of our galaxy.