55 Cancri e: Astronomers Have Discover Diamond Planet Larger Than Earth

According to Reuters, a team of French and Americans astronomers have discovered that the planed called '55 Cancri e', located in th...

55-Cancri-e-Astronomers-Have-Discover-Diamond-Planet-Larger-Than-EarthAccording to Reuters, a team of French and Americans astronomers have discovered that the planed called '55 Cancri e', located in the constellation of Cancer, probably has a surface composed of graphite and diamond instead of granite and water. According to astronomers, the planet has a radius twice than the size of the earth, being much denser - its mass is eight times heavier than our planet - and presenting on its surface temperatures that exceed 1600°C. Researchers have estimated that one third of the planet equivalent to thrice as much of masses of earth may be composed of diamond.

55-Cancri-e-Astronomers-Have-Discover-Diamond-Planet-Larger-Than-Earth

Planets consist of diamond had been detected previously, but this is the first time that astronomers can study a star of this type in such detail. In addition, '55 Cancri e' is relatively close - about 40 light years from Earth - and orbits a star very similar to our Sun. Now the question everyone should be asking: when will the next rocket leaves for there?

[Via]

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