Evidence of water found in atmosphere of mysterious 'metal god of war' exoplanet

A large red orb surrounded by a blue halo to the left a yellow and orange sphere surrounded by a yellow halo. The background is a muddy brown color.

Astronomers may have discovered the presence of water in the atmosphere of a blisteringly hot planet that is also one of the most "metal" worlds ever spotted. The planet's formation remains a mystery, one that could be solved by the discovery.

The extra-solar planet, or "exoplanet," in question is HD 149026 b, which is also known as "Smertrios," meaning the  "Purveyor" or "The Provider," worshiped as the god of war in the Gaelic tradition. Smertrios orbits a yellow subgiant star called HD 149026, located around 247 light-years from Earth.