Nexus555 said:While I know iron isn't the most common element in the universe, is it possible that there is a Jupiter + size planet made primarly of iron? Also, when it comes to black holes - would a massive iron planet form a black hole due to it's immense mass? What would be the minimum mass to form a black hole, or is black holes reserved strictly for dying stars and centers of galaxies?
Flatland said:Why would the iron sphere need to be that massive? All it needs to be is dense enough to form a black hole.
Yes, it is possible for a giant iron planet to exist. In fact, there are several known exoplanets that are primarily made of iron and other heavy elements. These planets are known as "iron planets" or "iron-rich planets" and they are thought to have formed from the leftover materials of a supernova explosion.
A giant iron planet forms through a process called "core accretion." This occurs when a large amount of gas and dust in a planetary system clumps together to form a solid core. Over time, the core grows in size as more and more material is attracted to it through gravity. Eventually, the core becomes massive enough to attract and hold onto large amounts of heavy elements, such as iron, resulting in a giant iron planet.
It is highly unlikely that a giant iron planet could sustain life as we know it. These planets are typically much larger and hotter than Earth, with a thick atmosphere of toxic gases. Additionally, the high levels of gravity and pressure on the surface would make it inhospitable for most forms of life.
Scientists can detect and study giant iron planets using a variety of techniques, including radial velocity measurements, transit observations, and direct imaging. These methods allow researchers to gather data on the planet's size, mass, and composition, as well as its distance from its host star and other important characteristics.
The likelihood of a giant iron planet colliding with Earth is extremely low. The vast distances between planets and the rarity of such events make it highly unlikely that a collision would occur. Additionally, the gravitational forces between planets would likely prevent them from coming into close contact with each other.