In a groundbreaking discovery, NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has identified 55 Cancri e, a super-Earth located 41 light-years away. This exoplanet, which is five times the size of Earth, showcases the incredible diversity of celestial bodies in the universe.
Orbiting its parent star in just 17 hours, the planet experiences extreme surface temperatures of 2,400°C, turning it into a molten lava world. Scientists believe one-third of its mass could be diamond, due to its carbon-rich composition—unlike Earth, which consists mostly of rock and water.
This discovery challenges existing theories about planetary formation, opening new avenues for research into carbon-based celestial bodies. The presence of an intense secondary atmosphere, likely created by volcanic outgassing, adds to the planet’s mysterious nature.
As studies continue, researchers hope to uncover deeper insights into planetary evolution and the complex forces shaping the cosmos.
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