Planet 55 Cancri e is known to us for 12 years, and the most recent study shows that this planet is the true meaning of "hell" with one side always pointed at the sun and covered with lava.
In the search of life beyond Earth, scientists continue to search the universe for the planet that might be similar to Earth. on that journey, we have discovered several thousand planets, each with it's own specialties.
One of those planets is 55 Cancri e discovered in 2004. In the beginning, they thought that it's a planet bigger than earth that's covered in ocean. Later suggestions were that it has a diamond surface, but the most recent studies and discoveries suggest that most of the planet is covered in lava.
Space Telescope Findings Suggest Molten Planetary Surface for 55 Cancri e https://t.co/ZyUFOJ66zV pic.twitter.com/2fT4Pu7ONy— The SETI Institute (@SETIInstitute) March 30, 2016
NASA published the announcement of their telescope "Spitzer" creating the temperature map of the planet. Measurements show that nights on the planet are hot while day time is a real fiery inferno.
Planet is located so close to it's star that it needs only 18 hours for a year, meaning, it needs only 18 hours to make a full circle around the sun. To make the matter worse, one side is always facing the sun and the temperatures peak at 2500 degrees C. Even though the other side of the planet is in a complete darkness, it's not that much cooler with the temperatures peaking at 1100 degrees C.
With temperature that high, the hot side should be completely molten, while at the border of the hot side and the cooler side should probably be some kind of a coat where lava turns into rock.
Guardian wrote that the most recent studies open new questions about the planet. Despite it being that close to it's star, the temperature of the planet is still abnormal, which suggests that there is another source of heat beside the star itself.
It's mass is 8 times greater that the mass of Earth and the planet has much more radioactive elements than Earth. As they decay, it's possible that they generate that extra heat while heating the planet's core.
The James Webb space telescope will launch in 2018. and it could reveal more secrets about the planet.
Planet is located so close to it's star that it needs only 18 hours for a year, meaning, it needs only 18 hours to make a full circle around the sun. To make the matter worse, one side is always facing the sun and the temperatures peak at 2500 degrees C. Even though the other side of the planet is in a complete darkness, it's not that much cooler with the temperatures peaking at 1100 degrees C.
With temperature that high, the hot side should be completely molten, while at the border of the hot side and the cooler side should probably be some kind of a coat where lava turns into rock.
Guardian wrote that the most recent studies open new questions about the planet. Despite it being that close to it's star, the temperature of the planet is still abnormal, which suggests that there is another source of heat beside the star itself.
It's mass is 8 times greater that the mass of Earth and the planet has much more radioactive elements than Earth. As they decay, it's possible that they generate that extra heat while heating the planet's core.
The James Webb space telescope will launch in 2018. and it could reveal more secrets about the planet.
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