Diamond World Reborn: Webb Telescope Uncovers Super-Earth's Second Atmosphere
May 9, 2024![Diamond World Reborn: Webb Telescope Uncovers Super-Earth's Second Atmosphere](https://cdn.brief.news/images/stories/be8699700b130c717392180c764b425a33c0938c3e29d5db17f5a8fb366b244ec5bb76c599e70a07d53e4c5f21a10208cbc4b55e215093e92b30d4e2cff2d74f.png)
Astronomers have discovered that super-Earth 55 Cancri e, 41 light-years away, has formed a second atmosphere.
The planet's initial atmosphere was destroyed by its nearby sun-like star, leading to extremely high surface temperatures.
55 Cancri e is hypothesized to have a diamond composition due to its carbon-rich, dense nature.
The new atmosphere is believed to be the result of outgassing from the planet's rocky interior.
This discovery, facilitated by the James Webb Space Telescope, offers insights into planet formation and the potential for similar atmospheres on other rocky exoplanets.
The research, while focused on an uninhabitable planet, could shed light on the early atmospheric evolution of planets like Earth and Mars.
Summary based on 19 sources
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Time • May 8, 2024
Rocky Planet Twice Earth’s Size Has a Thick Atmosphere![This diamond exoplanet lost its atmosphere — then it grew another](https://cdn.brief.news/images/links/be8699700b130c717392180c764b425a33c0938c3e29d5db17f5a8fb366b244ec5bb76c599e70a07d53e4c5f21a10208cbc4b55e215093e92b30d4e2cff2d74f.png)
Yahoo Tech • May 8, 2024
This diamond exoplanet lost its atmosphere — then it grew another![Astronomers finally detect a rocky planet with an atmosphere](https://cdn.brief.news/images/links/5a37b78a1407189b2136071123cbc3284ca33352522d8ed9b4bd9415b3586293cd7b3fcefe33487a3118584bc426ee4f7fdfb0442af5431bc720752b702f009f.jpg)
Yahoo News • May 8, 2024
Astronomers finally detect a rocky planet with an atmosphere![A scorching, rocky planet twice Earth's size has a thick atmosphere, scientists say](https://cdn.brief.news/images/links/2af853efbbff2a7b9bb8f790cc4a006b7faf973be4d407f373ee93db665e74b88bcbda1af76dfe5e3927caf4009d661b5874afbf57152ca20ec6fac9c3172ec4.png)
Yahoo News • May 8, 2024
A scorching, rocky planet twice Earth's size has a thick atmosphere, scientists say