A Super-Earth is a type of exoplanet with a mass higher than Earth’s, but substantially below those of the Solar System’s ice giants, Uranus and Neptune, which are 14.5 and 17 times Earth’s, respectively.[1] The term “super-Earth” refers only to the mass of the planet, and so does not imply anything about the surface conditions or habitability.
But regardless, a planet larger than earth but of a low enough density to be feasible would be unfeasible for other reasons. Namely we require a magnetosphere to survive on the surface and for atmospheres we can breath to exist. For that the planet likely needs an iron core, or another ferrous metal core. I guess there could be ways of generating a magnetosphere without a metal core, but I don’t think scientists have figured out how that could work yet. Seeing as Iron is the end state of fission/fusion and is quite common in the universe, the majority of planets that have a viable magnetosphere probably uses this method.
That being said, the majority of the earth’s mass is the mantle, molten rock. It’s very unlikely suitable planets are made up of significantly less dense material than rock. And even without the core we’d replace the iron with rock and lower the overall mass by maaaaybe 20%. Still too massive to likely facilitate current rocket tech.
No, I’m not.
But regardless, a planet larger than earth but of a low enough density to be feasible would be unfeasible for other reasons. Namely we require a magnetosphere to survive on the surface and for atmospheres we can breath to exist. For that the planet likely needs an iron core, or another ferrous metal core. I guess there could be ways of generating a magnetosphere without a metal core, but I don’t think scientists have figured out how that could work yet. Seeing as Iron is the end state of fission/fusion and is quite common in the universe, the majority of planets that have a viable magnetosphere probably uses this method.
That being said, the majority of the earth’s mass is the mantle, molten rock. It’s very unlikely suitable planets are made up of significantly less dense material than rock. And even without the core we’d replace the iron with rock and lower the overall mass by maaaaybe 20%. Still too massive to likely facilitate current rocket tech.
Neato!