55 Cancri e: The Diamond Super-Earth

55 Cancri e is one of the most fascinating exoplanets ever discovered, earning the nickname

the “diamond planet” because of its unusual chemistry and extreme conditions. Located about 40

light-years from Earth in the constellation Cancer, it orbits a sun-like star called 55 Cancri

A and has become a key target for astronomers studying rocky worlds beyond our solar system.

55 Cancri e is classified as a super-Earth, meaning it is larger and more massive than Earth but smaller

than gas giants like Neptune. It has about eight times Earth’s mass and roughly twice

Earth’s diameter. What truly sets it apart is its orbit: the planet circles its star

in just 18 hours, making it one of the shortest orbital periods known. Because it is so