Researchers found that two planets in our solar system are part of the diamond rain!
Diamond is among the hardest materials found on Earth. It is a mineral that is formed when carbon is subjected to specific conditions and extreme - normally at temperatures above 1100 ° C and at a pressure of at least 4.5 gigapascali .
Researchers studied through laboratory experiments and computer programs , how carbon behaves in such conditions , and compared to information obtained from the recent observations of Saturn and Jupiter . They concluded that the two planet meet the conditions for forming diamond from methane can be found in their atmosphere from storms which " sweeps " the ground. These storms are strong enough to " break " the molecules of methane in the atmosphere of planets , as suggested by data collected by the Cassini spacecraft .
According to researchers at the University of Wisconsin -Madison and the California Specialty Engineering, this phenomenon gives rise to simple carbon particles that fall into the atmosphere until they reach a dense area then subjected to high pressure , turns into graphite, a form mineral carbon stable . And continuing loss in the deeper layers of the atmosphere, the graphite is subjected to further high levels of temperature and pressure , which results in the formation of diamonds in a solid form .
The authors say that this process can form thousands of tonnes of diamonds per year.
However, diamonds do not remain in this state at the surface of Saturn and Jupiter , forming a huge ocean of " liquid diamonds " because of existing temperatures at ground level.
This is not the first time that this theory is circulated . Previous studies have suggested that Uranus and Neptune could be " diamond producing ." But it is the first time that Jupiter and Saturn are concerned that compared to Uranus and Neptune , have lower levels of methane in the atmosphere. Thus, in Saturn 's atmosphere methane is 0.5 % and that of Jupiter , 0.2% , Neptune and Uranus this figure rises to 15%.
If Neptune and Uranus , but diamonds are not melting because the temperatures are lower .
Some experts , however, bring into question the results of this study , saying that although theoretically could form diamonds on Saturn and Jupiter , this does not mean that the process takes place in reality.
