Researchers discover diamond planet

12 October 2012 04:24 am - 41 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Researchers have discovered a planet twice the size of earth made up partly of diamond. The planet, named ‘55 Canceri e,’ orbits a star in the constellation of Cancer and was found by a French-American research team, Reuters reports

Researchers have discovered a planet twice the size of earth made up partly of diamond. The planet, named ‘55 Canceri e,’ orbits a star in the constellation of Cancer and was found by a French-American research team, Reuters reports.

While the planet was first discovered earlier this year it was assumed Canceri’s chemical make-up was similar to the Earth’s.

But in a statement ahead of releasing their findings, researchers said the planet appeared to have no water and a third of its mass could be composed of diamond.

“The surface of this planet is likely covered in graphite and diamond rather than water and granite,” the statement said.

More detailed analysis has found the rocky planet is vastly different from our own, with temperatures on its surface reaching more than 1648 degrees Celsius.

The planet's mass is also eight times larger than earth’s and its radius is twice the size.

Diamond planets have been spotted by researchers previously but scientists in the French-American team said Canceri was the first to be studied in such detail.

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Comments - 41

Mike Friday, 12 October 2012 09:34 AM

Now the Diamond prices will slash in the market..

Lobo Friday, 12 October 2012 07:25 AM

Don't tell the Chinese, they'll try to swallow it!

uaa Friday, 12 October 2012 07:37 AM

What nonsense! Distance does not matter for our president. He knew it well before this find. So he wanted the younger one to learn space science........

Ranil Friday, 12 October 2012 07:53 AM

Free on board expedition should be arranged to all our politikkas, they have already lined up at diyawann

sanathbuddy Friday, 12 October 2012 08:08 AM

It takes at least 10 million years to go to this planet at current rocket speed and by that time, planet earth will also full of diamonds due to intense heat cast upon the earth by expanding sun.

habeeb Friday, 12 October 2012 08:14 AM

ahamed, please please do not let the people mock at holy quran. this is not the right place to talk about quran.

Fazli Friday, 12 October 2012 08:28 AM

I read that its 4000 light years away so out of reach. Allahu Akbar. So virtually mysteries are now answered.

John Fernandez Friday, 12 October 2012 08:30 AM

If it is diamond 4000 light years are nothing...!
We will come from Sri Lanka...!

MagodisThuma! Friday, 12 October 2012 08:50 AM

Our Politicos are getting ready to go there !

Managala Friday, 12 October 2012 09:01 AM

What is use of finding this planet ? No chance for life ,no water , cannot get diamonds though we know it has large resource of diamonds and people who find this cannot even think reaching it in their life time.
Research should be focus on finding life if not it is waste of resources..
I see only a entertainment purpose "Ah look a diamond planet"

fahim Friday, 12 October 2012 09:04 AM

I think its no point to talk about it..

Cobra Friday, 12 October 2012 06:43 AM

When's the next fight to this planet?????

Danushka Friday, 12 October 2012 09:56 AM

Lets go quick and swallow some diamonds and come and sell

Kiwi Friday, 12 October 2012 10:24 AM

It is sure to go missing now!

Trehan Munsinghe Friday, 12 October 2012 02:09 PM

Please send a delegation from Sri Lanka.... Maybe the entire Cabinet ...

Vish Friday, 12 October 2012 02:13 PM

There will be no value in diamonds if we could reach the planet!
Just thinking!

Jagath Leanage Friday, 12 October 2012 02:50 PM

Compress this planet and keep it inside Museum. One of the Rajapakses will steal it.

lip Friday, 12 October 2012 05:28 PM

Exactly
Just like the claim of Earth is ONLY 6 thousand years OLD and Humen are only 6 thousand years old .lol

silva Saturday, 13 October 2012 12:53 AM

Astrologer is a horoscope reader . I think you mean Astronomer !

plaintruth Friday, 12 October 2012 05:56 AM

Now i know why someone wanted to make one of his son an astrologer,,,,

BIGREX Friday, 12 October 2012 12:00 AM

Now we got to safeguard is from our Treasure Hunter!! via DM Android App

malkanthi Friday, 12 October 2012 04:47 AM

Our guys must be tempted but sadly cannot reach this planet.

nalaka Friday, 12 October 2012 04:54 AM

now US will try to attack and go after this planet

Realist Friday, 12 October 2012 05:21 AM

We would have made plans already to Purchase land.

Gangnam Style Friday, 12 October 2012 05:24 AM

Send that Chinese guy he will swallow it simply and bring it back to earth. Them lets arrest him and operate!!

sunny boy Friday, 12 October 2012 05:24 AM

is that chinese guy who swallowed the fake diamond still on earth ?

proud 2 b a srlankan Friday, 12 October 2012 05:31 AM

Obviously!!!

proud 2 b a srlankan Friday, 12 October 2012 05:32 AM

All are signs of the WORLD END!!!

Vicky Friday, 12 October 2012 05:44 AM

This planet should be named Lucy! Because,"Lucy in the sky with Diamond",isn't it?

flipper Friday, 12 October 2012 04:35 AM

Our Meteorological Department will research more and lets us know more , await details hahaha

Most Wanted Friday, 12 October 2012 05:55 AM

Get ready for WORLD WAR 3, Hip hip hurray..

HF Friday, 12 October 2012 05:55 AM

This is in preparation with the next news: Petroleum found in Mars.
So that the US can bring down the petrol price at a time where their economy rightly deserves so!.

Ahmad Friday, 12 October 2012 06:00 AM

Signs for existence of universal God. Holy Quran presents in two verses a brief synthesis of the phenomena that constituted the basic process of the formation of the Universe.

Kay Parker Friday, 12 October 2012 06:00 AM

That's why Malaka is going to the USA

lovesri Friday, 12 October 2012 06:04 AM

Hmm US is turning its economic crisis into a different side- A diamond planet? Will wait and see

shantha madawela Friday, 12 October 2012 06:09 AM

then the Rajapaksha family will try to get it or rob it......

lalitha Friday, 12 October 2012 06:11 AM

a space program to "explore distant plants" will be open in hambanthota and kelaniya

JokerKing Friday, 12 October 2012 06:25 AM

This is Avaaataarrrr !!!

Sammy Friday, 12 October 2012 06:34 AM

Another planet for exploitation!

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Researchers discover diamond planet

Comments - 41

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