Imagine discovering a planet made of shiny diamonds? No, this isn't the plot of some B-grade sci-fi film. Turns out that giant diamond-encrusted planets might be way more common than we ever suspected.
The first thing you need to know is that planets are really just a reflection of what materials were around when their solar system formed. For instance, Earth's core is mostly iron, while the mantle is high in silicon. These two elements were abundant in the primordial solar system. So what if a solar system was dominated by carbon?
The researchers came to startling but straightforward conclusion: the rocky planets in such a solar system could be up to fifteen times as massive as Earth, and their composition could be as much as 50% pure diamond. Earth sciences professor Wendy Panero explains further (via io9):
The first thing you need to know is that planets are really just a reflection of what materials were around when their solar system formed. For instance, Earth's core is mostly iron, while the mantle is high in silicon. These two elements were abundant in the primordial solar system. So what if a solar system was dominated by carbon?
The researchers came to startling but straightforward conclusion: the rocky planets in such a solar system could be up to fifteen times as massive as Earth, and their composition could be as much as 50% pure diamond. Earth sciences professor Wendy Panero explains further (via io9):
"Our results are striking, in that they suggest carbon-rich planets can form with a core and a mantle, just as Earth did. However, the cores would likely be very carbon-rich — much like steel — and the mantle would also be dominated by carbon, much in the form of diamond."
If there's one thing for sure, you wouldn't be able to live on these diamond super-earths, as Panero describe them as "very cold, dark" worlds. But still, want gal wouldn't want a diamond as big as a planet?
Visit Our Sister Sites
Copyright © Fooyoh.com All rights reserved User Agreement | Privacy Policy
