Astronomers have recently discovered a Jupiter-sized floating planet at least 75 light years away from the Earth. Some scientists claim that even without a sun, such planets can still harbor life.

The BBC reported that the sunless planet designated as PSO J318.5-22 is still quite young; it was created 20 million years ago. Many scientists agree that this floating planet exhibits some of the strangest weather phenomenons.

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The clouds hovering the planet is composed of blistering dust and liquified iron and the temperature hovers above 800 C.

Scientists from Scotland's Edinburgh University made the discovery even without the use of the light emanating from a sun. One of the school's astronomers Doctor Beth Biller said most of the planets that have been discovered always feature some sort of cloud covers. The scientists used a Chilean telescope to determine the planet's cloud composition.

It has always been assumed that planets need a sun in order for life to flourish, according to the Daily Mail. However, a growing number of scientists believe that floating or "rouge" planets can still harbor life.

Astrophysicist Sean Raymond said living things can survive without sunlight but they must have at least access to water.

Without a sun, most of floating planet's waters would likely be frozen solid. Fortunately, the icy exterior has also prevented the heat inside the planet from escaping. That heat is what's believed to be keeping the water inside liquid.

Based on Raymond's calculations, an ice cover at least ten kilometers is thick enough to keep the water in the planet's interior liquified for even several billion years.

Two astrophysicists from Chicago Dorian Abbot and Eric Switzer have published a study in which they theorized that the radioactive elements inside the planet is the main source of its heat.

They dubbed such floating planets as "Steppenwolf" because any life found in there would live like a single wolf roaming in an endless steppe.

Astronomers say that such life is unlikely to resemble humans or known animals and plants on Earth. According to the astrophysicists, any life that can be discovered in floating planets will most likely be microscopic in size and complexity.

Tagsfloating planet, rouge planet, steppenwolf, PSO J318.5-22, sunless world, molten iron cloud