What was Kepler-10c nicknamed due to its high calculated density?
Answer
Godzilla
Kepler-10c presented a significant challenge to early planetary formation models because it was initially suspected to be a small gas giant, sometimes referred to as a 'mini-Neptune', primarily based on its size relative to other known giants. However, subsequent rigorous calculations of its mass, which amounted to approximately 14.5 times the mass of Earth, combined with its size, revealed an exceptionally high density indicative of rock and metal dominance. This massive, dense nature, far exceeding expectations for a planet of its calculated volume if it were gaseous, led scientists to assign it the memorable, albeit joking, nickname 'Godzilla'.
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