Sunday, October 14, 2012

Twinkle, Twinkle Diamond Planet

By Nicola Braun
Science Reporter
CONSTELLATION OF CANCER - A distant planet is one-third made of diamonds, according to scientists at Yale University.
     The planet 55Canceri e is 8 times heavier than Earth. It was first discovered in 2011 orbiting the star 55Canceri. However, it has taken scientists a while to figure out what the planet is made of based upon how big it is, how fast it moves, how much it weighs and how it reflects light (presumably like a giant disco ball). Based on all of these factors, the planet probably has a graphite crust over a layer of diamonds with a core made of silicon around liquid iron.
     Anyone wishing to stake a claim to the diamond planet should be warned.  The surface temperature there is 3900 Fahrenheit. The planet is 40 light years from Earth and there is a sign on it reading "Property of De Beers" that's big enough to be seen with the naked eye.


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