Across the solar system, at least, more water probably exists as superionic ice — filling the interiors of Uranus and Neptune — than in any other phase, including the liquid form sloshing in oceans on Earth, Europa and Enceladus. Illustration suggests the composition of Uranus with a solid core, gaseous exterior and lots of superionic ice in between.
A strange phase of water has been created using lasers and could be the most prevalent form of water throughout the universe, a study published in Nature suggests. Superionic ice is hot and black, and it may be the way water exists on such icy worlds as Neptune and Uranus, researchers say.
Quanta Magazine (5/8)
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