Diamonds will become like dust... a planet covered in diamonds, valued at $26.9 million
Diamonds will become like dust... a planet covered in diamonds, valued at $26.9 million
The universe is a strange place where unexpected things happen. But when we delve into its depths to reach its basic composition, we find that it is simple, similar to the composition of the Earth.
Hydrogen, helium, oxygen, and carbon are the most abundant cosmic elements, but when the right conditions are present, these components transform into valuable and amazing elements such as diamonds.
Diamonds are formed on Earth when carbon deep within the Earth is exposed to high pressure for a long period of time.
While diamonds are rare on our planet, because the elements and conditions conducive to their formation are rare; The harsh environment of space is conducive to the formation of this precious element, as extreme temperatures and high pressures are common.
Very quickly, science revealed that our solar system, and the entire universe, is very rich, as the value of a single asteroid can reach billions of dollars or more, according to the American “Slash Gear” website specializing in scientific and technological affairs.
“Cancer 55e”.. The diamond planet
In 2012, scientists from Yale University discovered a planet rich in diamonds, called 55 Cancri e. They believed that it was “covered with diamonds instead of water and granite.”
It is twice the size of Earth, but its mass is eight times greater. It is 40 light-years away from Earth, and is obscured from us by a high-speed star.
The distance between this planet and its sun is 25 times closer than the distance between the planet Mercury and Earth's sun. Temperatures reach 9200 degrees Fahrenheit.
The estimated value of the planet is about 26.9 million dollars, or 26.9 followed by 30 zeros.
Other diamond planets
However, “Cancer 55e” is not the only planet full of diamonds, as the American Astronomical Society issued a scientific report in 2020, claiming to discover the story behind the diamond planets.
Researchers led by scientists from Arizona State University explained that diamond planets are associated with certain types of stars that are characterized by high proportions of carbon and oxygen, where carbides are dominated by chemical compounds over silicates.
Scientists simulated the conditions of extreme pressure and temperature on those planets, and studied the behavior of silicon carbide in these environments. They discovered that when the pressure rises to more than 50 GPa, and the temperature reaches more than 2500 degrees Kelvin, silicon carbide turns into silica and diamond.
Other planets and moons identified as potential diamond hotspots include Pluto's largest moon, called Charon, and a carbon-rich exoplanet found 1,200 light-years from Earth called WASP-12b.
As we get closer to Earth, scientists believe that diamonds fall on Saturn and Jupiter regularly.
Source: websites