terrestrial planet

As a result, very low-mass stars host the majority of terrestrial planets by far.

"This is a terrestrial planet that I would describe as Io on steroids," Kane said.

A terrestrial planet's interior also influences its atmosphere.

"An idea came to us, by looking at what's going on with the terrestrial planets in our own system," Triaud says.

Understanding how these volatile elements made it to Earth helps planetary scientists like us better understand Earth’s geologic history, and it could teach us more about the habitability of terrestrial planets beyond Earth.