Large rocky planets excel at ocean building

Super-Earths are better at keeping water flowing on their surfaces

Deep oceans on rocky planets, illustration

WATER WORLDS  Deep oceans on rocky planets a few times as massive as Earth, as seen in this artist’s illustration, may last for billions of years and provide stable environments for alien life.

David A. Aguilar/CfA

SEATTLE — The best oceanfront real estate in the galaxy may be on a planet two to four times as massive as Earth.