Researchers at Yale have discovered that a previously unknown planet is comprised of diamond.
The planet, 55 Cancri e, was discovered in late 2011, and assumed to have the same chemical makeup to that of Earth – although closer inspection shows otherwise.
From mass and radius measurements, and “computing all possible combinations of elements and compounds”, it’s become known that 55 Cancri e consists primarily of carbon in the form of graphite and diamond.
One-third of the planet is estimated to be diamond, with the entire radius being twice the size of Earth’s, and a mass eight times greater.
The surface of the planet is estimated at around 2149 degrees Celsius which, combined with pressure over time, would make a suitable environment for diamonds.
Source: Space.com
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