New Planet discovered... Diamonds?

[WolfsPride]

Sorry if this was already posted.

Planet Might Be Huge Diamond | ThirdAge

Planet Might Be Huge Diamond

Posted by Caitlin Bronson on August 26, 2011 8:54 AM

Astronomers discovered a new planet roughly the size of a small city with the mass of Jupiter. According to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, the planet’s density is comprised of crystalline carbon, meaning that much of it is likely diamond.

The planet was discovered orbiting a small pulsar star about 4,000 light years away from earth, the PI said. Scientists believe it may be the remnants of a star that shed its exterior long ago. Its radio beam, which can be detected on earth, led astronomers to the planet.

The distance of the planet from the star is so close, orbit only takes two hours and ten minutes. That would put it and the pulsar it circles inside our own sun, SlashGear reported.

Despite its diamond exterior, however, Ben Stappers of the University of Manchester doesn’t believe the planet would be shiny like the diamonds we know on earth. In fact, scientists admit they have no idea what the planet would look like up close.

“In terms of what it would look like, I don’t know I could even speculate,” Stappers said. “I don’t imagine that a picture of a very shiny object is what we’re looking at here.”

[Sam]

I probably wouldn't take a job mining diamonds there - sounds a bit of a dangerous place.

[Domis]

Would love to have discovered that one. I could name it after my wife. " Honey I got you the largest diamond in the universe", now can I go and get a new scope. Well,maybe not.

[Schorhr]

That's pretty interesting :-) I suppose most have an image of a shiny ball in mind (especially with the media hype), but on the outside, it probably looks like a big piece of coal :-)

[ScubaMike]

Would love to have discovered that one. I could name it after my wife. " Honey I got you the largest diamond in the universe", now can I go and get a new scope. Well,maybe not.

For the love of god, don't mention it to my wife !!!

[stolenfeather]

Yes, I read this article this morning and found it most interesting.

Isabelle

[Nexus 6]

Ye, seen this and posted a link in the Astro Lounge...Isabelle must be interested in it, after all diamonds are a girls best friend....am logging off now

[stolenfeather]

Actually, I prefer pearls!

Isabelle

[FarSide]

It was bound to happen at some point. A few planets out there have to be made predominately out of one material, surely?

[Domis]

Isabelle;you must love it on this forum,so many "pearls" of wisdom to be found. Sorry,I couldn't resist.

[stolenfeather]

Isabelle;you must love it on this forum,so many "pearls" of wisdom to be found. Sorry,I couldn't resist.

I agree! I'll take all the "pearls" I can get!

Isabelle