description 55 Cancri e Overview
55 Cancri e is a rocky exoplanet orbiting a sun-like star approximately 40 light-years away. Its extremely short orbital period of just 17.8 hours – due to its proximity of 0.015 astronomical units – makes it notable for studying planetary formation around similar stars. The planet’s surface is believed to be molten, earning it the designation “lava world.” Astronomers and researchers interested in super-Earths and exoplanets within close stellar systems find this object particularly valuable.
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55 Cancri e ranks #23 of 269 in the Exoplanet ranking, behind 51 Pegasi b, ahead of Kepler-22b.
help 55 Cancri e FAQ
How long is a year on the exoplanet 55 Cancri e?
A year on 55 Cancri e is incredibly short, taking only about 17.8 Earth hours to complete an orbit around its host star. This is because the planet orbits at a mere 0.015 astronomical units away from its sun.
Why is 55 Cancri e sometimes called a "diamond planet"?
Early studies suggested that the planet's carbon-rich composition might mean a significant portion of its interior consists of diamond. While the exact composition is still debated, its extreme heat and carbon content continue to fascinate planetary scientists.
How far away is the 55 Cancri system from Earth?
The exoplanet is located approximately 40 light-years away from Earth in the constellation Cancer. It orbits a binary star system centered around a Sun-like yellow dwarf star.
What is the surface temperature of 55 Cancri e?
Because it orbits so incredibly close to its star, the daytime surface temperatures can reach a blistering 2,400 degrees Celsius (over 4,000 Fahrenheit). This extreme heat makes it one of the most hostile environments discovered in our galactic neighborhood.
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