📖+10 XP
🎧+10 XP
✅+15 XP
Level A1 – BeginnerCEFR A1
2 min
72 words
- Mini‑Neptunes are a little smaller than Neptune in size.
- They have rock and metal inside their cores.
- A thick atmosphere of hydrogen and helium surrounds them.
- Scientists often thought these planets had global magma seas.
- The new study used telescope observations and computer models.
- James Webb observed GJ 1214 b and its atmosphere.
- Heavier atmospheres add weight and cause extreme surface pressure.
- Under such pressure molten rock can become solid again.
Difficult words
- atmosphere — layer of gas around a planet
- cores — the central inside part of a planet
- magma — very hot liquid rock under a surface
- telescope — tool to look at distant space objects
- pressure — force on a surface from weight or gas
- molten — very hot and melted, not solid
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Have you ever looked at the sky with a telescope?
- Do you want to learn more about planets?
Related articles
17 Dec 2025
29 Dec 2025
1 May 2022
UNESCO report finds gaps in education data
A UNESCO report published on 27 April finds important gaps in education data from poorer countries. It reviewed primary and secondary data in 120 countries but under‑represented low‑income nations and found no science assessment data in low‑income countries.
24 Feb 2026
Molecule stores sunlight and releases heat on demand
Chemists at UC Santa Barbara designed a modified molecule called pyrimidone that captures sunlight, stores it in chemical bonds and releases it as heat when triggered. Tests released enough heat to boil water under normal conditions.
13 May 2025