WASP-12b: The Exoplanet Being Devoured by Its Star, Potentially Diamond-Rich
WASP-12b is an ultra-hot Jupiter exoplanet so close to its star that it's being stretched into an egg shape and slowly devoured. Its extreme carbon-rich composition and immense pressure suggest that a significant portion of its interior could be exotic carbon forms, potentially including diamond. This scorching hot gas giant offers a glimpse into extreme planetary conditions far beyond our solar system.
Why It’s Fascinating
The idea of a planet being literally consumed by its host star, coupled with the possibility of its interior being a giant diamond, is incredibly dramatic and expands our understanding of planetary evolution. It challenges our assumptions about what planets can be made of and how they interact with their host stars under extreme conditions.
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HD 189733b, located 63 light-years away, has winds exceeding 8,700 kilometers per hour that blow molten silicate glass horizontally. The planet appears deep blue, not from water, but from the light-scattering properties of the glass particles in its atmosphere.
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