By: April Carson
You might be surprised to know that there is a planet made of diamonds in our galaxy. In 2004, scientists were gobsmacked when they discovered this very fact! The diamond-rich world has twice the size and mass as Earth with an impressive surface temperature between 2200–9500 degrees Fahrenheit (1230 – 5000 °C).
This discovery also marks another first: These exotic gems cannot easily form on planets because their chemical composition must match carbon rich rocks deep within our solar System’s mantle—but not here at all; instead you'll find these massive crystals coating every inch from pole to equator like frosting covering cake layers before icing them over again.
The diamond planet is mostly composed of graphite and a thick layer of diamond. Is it possible, though? Continue reading to learn more.
Find out what makes this planet so special in 10 Things You Probably Didn't Know About the Diamond Planet.
In 2004, astronomers discovered the diamond planet:
This world was discovered in 2004, as previously said. The astronomers were initially looking at the parent star 55 Cancri A, one of two stars in a binary system about 40 light-years from Earth in the constellation Cancer. According to studies, there are four more planets in the same system that have been found before 55 Cancri e.
The Spitzer Space Observatory:
The planet was closely examined by the Spitzer Space Telescope in 2012. 55 Cancri e turned out to be significantly different from what had been predicted. It was thought that this world would be thick and rocky, according on prior studies. However, scientists and experts at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center believe it has a healthy balance of light elements and heavy elements. The composition of the planet is unknown.
Why is 55 Cancri e composed of diamonds?
The carbon, iron, and silicon make up the star system. The planet has evolved over millions of years through pressure and heat into a massive diamond. According to scientists at Yale University, approximately one-third of 55 Cancri e's body is composed of diamonds. This is many trillions times more precious diamonds than have ever been discovered on Earth.
When it was discovered, scientists referred to it as a gas giant:
As far as the features of the said exoplanet are concerned, scientists originally believed that the 55 Cancri e was a small gas giant somewhat similar to Neptune. They could not study it properly as it’s quite far. Moreover, the diamond planet is quite strange in terms of properties.
The planet Cancri e is the tiniest in its star system:
55 Cancri e is the tiniest planet in its star system. The planet orbits its sun at a distance of just over 18 days, making one complete rotation around it in approximately 18 hours. As a result, a year on 55 Cancri e is equivalent to 18 Earth hours. Isn't it fascinating?
Incorrect assumptions about 55 Cancri e:
Scientists originally thought that it was similar to our beloved earth. However, that was not the case. 55 Cancri e has twice the radius of Earth, eight times the mass. Moreover, it is the deepest planet in the 55 Cancri system, and that is why the planet has a surface temperature of 3,900 degrees Fahrenheit.
Between June 15 and July 15, 2012, Spitzer spent 55 days observing Cancri e:
According to NASA, Spitzer used a camera designed to detect infrared light specifically for viewing with the help of which he discovered this planet.
The diamond planet was thought to have super-heated water because of its extremely high temperature:
Based on the idea that 55 Cancri e's chemical makeup was similar to Earth's, astronomers anticipated it had a big quantity of super-heated water. According to new research, however, the planet lacks any water.
Multiple diamond planets in the universe:
Experts think that there must be a lot more exoplanets like this one out in the universe. The makeup of this planet is highly unusual. It's tough to send a probe that far away from our Solar System. We don't have anything close to what we need right now.
There is no atmosphere on the diamond planet:
There is no confirmed evidence that the diamond planet has an atmosphere. Some experts maintain that it does not have one. This information, however, is unverified. It's unclear whether or not the planet has an atmosphere. To study the planet in a more nuanced way, we'll need cutting-edge technology.
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