Have you ever thought about the existence of a diamond planet? We know it sounds intriguing, but our solar system is full of surprises. And just to clear your confusion, yes, the diamond planets do exist.
So, buckle up your seat belts as we take the ride to space in this article and discover all about diamond planets!
What is a Diamond Planet?
Diamond Planets are planets that are made of diamonds! Even though they are rare, they do exist in the solar system. Diamonds on these planets are similar to the diamonds we have on our planet Earth; however, their formation story is a lot different.
55 Cancri e – A Diamond Planet
In 2004, scientists discovered a planet that is made of diamonds entirely. This planet was given the name 55 Cancri e as it lies in the constellation of Cancer and orbits the star 55 Cancri. According to scientists, this planet’s surface is covered with crystals that look like diamonds.
At first, this planet was known to look like Earth due to its rocky surface. Therefore, it was also referred to as ‘Super Earth,’ but later, it started developing diamonds on its surface. The factor that contributed to the formation of diamonds was the existence of high levels of carbon on this planet. According to scientists, this carbon has been compressed due to the high levels of heat on and around this planet and has led to the creation of diamonds. 55 Cancri e is extremely hot as its temperatures go up to 3900 degrees Fahrenheit, which is 2150 degrees Celsius.
Furthermore, as discovered by scientists, the diamond planet passes in front of its parent star, 55 Cancri, every 18 hours.
Can The Diamond Planet, 55 Cancri e Be Seen from Earth?
The diamond planet is around 40 light years away from our planet Earth. This means that it is about 9.5 trillion kilometers away if we travel at the speed of light, which is humanly impossible.
But this planet can sometimes be seen from the Earth as it lies in the constellation Cancer. It is visible in the dark skies because of its vast size and the gravitational pull of its planet star, which is 55 Cancri.
Is There A Possibility Of The Existence Of Life On The Diamond Planet?
No, according to scientists, there isn’t a possibility of the existence of life on 55 Cancri e. This is because the temperatures on this planet are extremely high as it orbits its star, 55 Cancri, very closely. In addition to this, there is little to no chance of the availability of water on this planet, which is crucial for the existence of human life.
Can more Diamond Planets Be Discovered in The Coming Years?
With the solar system being so vast and diverse, the discovery of new stars and planets will never really stop. So, let’s wait until the discovery of a new diamond planet and the possibility of life on it!
