In the constellation of Cancer near the star 55 Cancri astronomers have discovered one interesting exoplanet. Before it was considered a gas giant like Neptune, but recent studies have shown that it is not. This planet is carbon, and, consequently, a large part of its mantle consists of diamonds. They weigh twice more than the planet Earth!

The constellation Cancer is one of the ordinary bright constellations. On the heavenly parade it rather dull "claw" draws your attention. However, in the constellation asterisk Cancer 55 (55 Cancri, 55 Cnc) - sun-like star, which has five open exoplanets. So today it occupies the third place by the number of precise set of objects of type!

In may 2011 were direct measurements of the angular diameter of the star 55 Cancri with a telescope CHARA. He was equal 0,711±0,004 milliarcseconds that at a distance of 12.3 parsecs corresponds to the radius 0,943 ± 0,01 solar radii, and the distance to the star is 40,9 light years. 55 Cancri is a yellow dwarf G8V, seen with the naked eye (magnitude 5,95, and the luminosity is 0.6 solar). Star system 55 Cancri is actually a double, and the yellow dwarf has neighbor is a dim red dwarf, separated from the companion 1100 astronomical units.

6 July 2003 to the star 55 Cancri using the RT-70 radio telescope, which is in Yalta (Ukraine), radio astronomers-the Earthmen's broadcast was sent Cosmic Call, which will arrive at the address in may 2044! Humanity is looking for there, brothers in mind, because among the five exoplanets has one "super-earths" Cancer 55 e, which opened in 2004. Among well-known objects of this type it is one of the closest to the Ground "supersell"! Its mass is greater than the earth approximately 8.6 times, and its diameter is twice the diameter of the Earth. But the matter density at the Earth and this exoplanet very, very close.

A recent study conducted at Yale University (USA), describes the "a super-earths" 55 Cancer as a typical carbon planet. It should be noted that up to this moment this class of exoplanets discussed only as theoretically possible. "This is the first look at the rocky world with chemistry, fundamentally different from the earth. The surface of the planet rather coated graphite and diamonds than water and granite" - emphasizes the lead author of the Professor Nikko Madhusudhan. That's such an unusual picture opens our imagination thanks to the efforts of astrophysicists.

Climate 55 Cancer extremely hot: the daylight side the temperature reaches about 2 thousand degrees Kelvin - and all because of the short distances to local luminaries, estimated at 0,01560 ± 0,00011 astronomical units. Circulation period exoplanets around its axis - 0,74 earth days.

Now the old version that the exoplanet is a hot gas giant type of Neptune, is considered insolvent. After determining the radius of the planet (note, very small) and its significant density became obvious that this was one of the first planets, about which we can confidently declare that it is carbon. Curiously, this hint has given itself the star 55 Cancri in its chemical composition is very little silicon and a lot of carbon (by the way, the Sun is nothing like that).

On the surface of Cancer 55 e, judging by spectral observations, almost not revealed traces of water. Consequently, it has a composition very far from the Earth, which represents the ocean planet whose surface is almost completely covered with water and under whose bark is boiling liquid silicate mantle. This same exoplanets mantle is, apparently, from carbon, which accounts for up to a third of its weight. Given the enormous temperatures and pressures in the inner layers, it is continuous diamonds. On Earth as we know, these stones are seeking only in kimberlite pipes - specific places of their birth, and on Cancer 55 e they are everywhere under its surface. It is assumed that the diamonds are there, by weight, more than double weighs all the Earth!

Detection of the first carbon planet opens wide horizons chemical diversity planets similar in size to the Earth. Now it is obvious that the exoplanet is diverse - the only question is how chemistry can influence the processes. And since most of the observed yellow dwarfs closer to the Sun than to 55 Cancer, it is a rare example cormetallis stars, near which you may receive this "miracle". However, because of the incredible abundance of stars in the Galaxy is quite possible to assume the existence of millions of carbon planets!

Possibly, their account will increase to billions, if will be opened stars with many exoplanets - after just one little star 55 Cancer has at least five planets. Moreover, it is expected the presence of two additional until confirmed interest of planetary type in the system. Questions about the magnetic field on such planets, about plate tectonics their bark is discussed with a certain skepticism. In their mantle should be absent the flow of matter - but it is a necessary condition magnetic "Dynamo" and the movement of the plates surface.

The question of the origin of life in such an exotic worlds extremely intriguing scientists. As for the forms of life that is similar to the representatives of the world biota, need water, unique temperature, the abundance of the chemical elements and their compounds, powerful atmosphere and the magnetosphere shield that protects from harmful radiations. In various ekzoplanety worlds on more distant from the sun carbon planets - such as satellites exoplanets (for example, Cancer 55 f), the surface of which water can exist in liquid form - conditions for creation of unique life forms may be. We should not deny the possibility finds an exact copy of the globe with its biological diversity.

But it's only an assumption. And to get evidence of such hypotheses, it is necessary to continue the study of unusual planet and wait for a reply to a romantic radio brothers on reason. Now, while he rapidly pierces the Universe, mankind can only hope for a response from the depths of space...