Diamond Planet Found Worth $26.9 Nonillion (PHOTO)

By Elena Garcia, Christian Post Reporter Friday, October 12, 2012

Scientists have found a diamond planet, called 55 Cancri e, that is made of over 30 percent pure diamond.

The planet is also called "super-Earth" because it is twice the size of earth and has eight times more mass. It is visible to the naked eye orbiting a star in the constellation of Cancer.

Forbes has estimated that the diamond planet is worth $26.9 nonillion ($26.9 is followed by 30 zeros).

Originally, researchers thought that 55 Cancri e had a large density made up of water. But after further analysis, they discovered the layer was actually diamond.

"This is our first glimpse of a rocky world with a fundamentally different chemistry from Earth," said Nikku Madhusudhan, a researcher from Yale University. "The surface of this planet is likely covered in graphite and diamond rather than water and granite."

Madhusudan's findings will be published in the journal of Astrophysical Journal Letters.

The mysterious planet has a surfaced of graphite, below which is a thick layer of diamond that encases a layer of silicon carbide. The core is made of iron.

But if you are thinking of picking up your shovel and heading to the diamond planet, be prepared to spend 40 light years to get there.

Also, the planet is too hot for human life, with surface temperature reaching 3,900 degrees Fahrenheit (1,648 Celsius).