Artist's Impression of Carbon Planet (IMAGE)

Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian

Artist's Impression of Carbon Planet

Caption

In this artist's conception, a carbon planet orbits a sunlike star in the early universe. Young planetary systems lacking heavy chemical elements but relatively rich in carbon could form worlds made of graphite, carbides and diamond rather than Earth-like silicate rocks. Blue patches show where water has pooled on the planet's surface, forming potential habitats for alien life.

Credit

Christine Pulliam (CfA). Sun image: NASA/SDO

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