Carbon planet

A carbon planet, also referred to as diamond or planet Karbitplanet is a hypothetical form of a planetary, which was proposed by Marc Kuchner. Such a planet should be able to form from protoplanetary dust disks that are rich in carbon and low in oxygen. The development of such a planet should vary according to the findings of planetary research from that of silicon-rich planets ( like the Earth, Venus, etc.).

Definition

As the known terrestrial planets should also be a carbon planet have an iron core. Around this core to shells of silicon carbide and titanium carbide should form on which in turn a thick layer should rest carbon. This carbon layer should consist of graphite, also, if enough pressure to produce it exists, could diamonds be ejected during volcanic eruptions, forming veritable mountains on the surface. On the surface of various hydrocarbons ( eg methane) and gases such as carbon monoxide should be present beyond. Should water be present on such a planet, one is possibly evolving life could have a metabolism that is in a sense the opposite of what we know of the Earth: living things oxygen take as nourishment and this respire via the carbon-containing atmosphere.

Characteristics

Carbon planets should have a similar density as the planet with predominantly siliceous coat. Therefore, it would be difficult to distinguish them from such. Geological structures such as rivers and mountains can also be present, of course (consisting eg seas not from water but from oils ) with other elements. If the temperature does not exceed certain values ​​( about 350 K), could form long-chain molecules that accumulate in the atmosphere and eventually should rain down on the surface.

Planned by the NASA Terrestrial Planet Finder project should be able to carbon planets, if they exist, to discover.

Possible carbon planet

The pulsar PSR 1257 12 might (PSR 1257 12 b ) are surrounded by a carbon planet. In addition, it is expected carbon planet near the galactic center, as star found a higher proportion of carbon than for example the sun. Through the accumulation of elements of higher atomic numbers over time ( by nuclear fusion inside stars, followed by release by supernovae ) the concentration of carbon could have there already reached the necessary height.

It is believed that this is J1719 - 1438b is a carbon planet in the PSR exoplanets discovered in August 2011.