Laser experiments push helium to record shock pressures

Astrobitica June 24, 2026 (Last updated: June 24, 2026) 1 minute read

Deep inside gas giants like Jupiter and Saturn, hydrogen and helium coexist under extreme pressures. Helium may separate from hydrogen and influence a planet’s internal heat flow, structure, and magnetic field, which is crucial for accurate models of planetary evolution.

Deep inside gas giants like Jupiter and Saturn, hydrogen and helium coexist under pressures millions of times greater than Earth’s atmosphere. Under those conditions, helium may separate from hydrogen and influence a planet’s internal heat flow, structure and magnetic field. Understanding these processes and how these materials behave under extreme conditions is essential to building accurate models of planetary evolution.