The universe never ceases to amaze us, and this time it's with the discovery of a planet made of diamonds. 55 Cancri e is a super-earth, twice the size of our planet, and located in the constellation of Cancer, 40 light-years away from us. It was discovered in 2004 and is one of the most intriguing exoplanets in our galaxy.
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| 55 Cancri e: The Diamond Planet That Shines Bright in the Universe |
What Makes 55 Cancri e So Special?
55 Cancri e is a rocky planet that orbits its star, 55 Cancri, in just 18 hours, making it a hot and hostile place. The surface temperature is estimated to be around 1,648 Celsius (2,998 Fahrenheit), which is hot enough to melt most rocks. Scientists believe that the planet has no atmosphere, which makes it even more challenging for any living organisms to survive.
What's most remarkable about 55 Cancri e is its composition. It's believed that the planet is made of graphite and diamond. That's right, diamonds! The planet is estimated to have a mass eight times greater than Earth's and is believed to be covered in diamonds. Scientists estimate that at least a third of the planet's mass may be a pure diamond.
How Much Would It Cost To Visit 55 Cancri e?
If you're a diamond lover, you may be wondering how much it would cost to visit this diamond planet. Well, unfortunately, it's not that easy. First, it's 40 light-years away, and even traveling at the speed of light would take 40 years to get there. Second, the planet's hostile environment would require a special space suit that costs around $12 million.
However, if we could collect all the diamonds on 55 Cancri e and bring them back to Earth, we'd be looking at a payout of quadrillions of dollars. That's enough money to pay for the space suit and travel expenses, and still have plenty left over.
The End Notes
The discovery of 55 Cancri e is yet another reminder of the vastness of our universe and the wonders it holds. While the idea of visiting a diamond planet is exciting, it's not likely to happen anytime soon. However, the possibility of mining diamonds on this planet may be a more realistic option in the future. Until then, we'll have to admire this planet from afar and dream of the possibilities it holds.
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