Scientists from the Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) unveiled evidence of geothermal activity within the icy hearts of dwarf planets Eris and Makemake, nestled in the distant reaches of our solar system's Kuiper Belt. Forget the chilly, lifeless exteriors we once imagined – these cosmic bodies might be warmer than expected!
The findings, co-led by Dr. Christopher Glein, a planetary geochemistry expert at SwRI, challenge our long-held beliefs about these icy dwellers.
Initially thought to have ancient, cold surfaces, Eris and Makemake are proving to be more dynamic than ever imagined. The unexpected revelation emerged through observations made by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), shedding light on the composition of their surfaces.
