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It rains solid diamonds on Uranus and Neptune
National Post ^ | August 25, 2017 | Sarah Kaplan, Washington Post

Posted on 08/25/2017 6:57:33 PM PDT by Loyalist

Researchers say they were able to produce 'diamond rain' using fancy plastic and high-powered lasers to recreate the intense conditions of the planets

....

Consider this your daily reminder that the solar system is even more awesomely bonkers than you realized: On Uranus and Neptune, scientists forecast rain storms of solid diamonds.

The gems form in the hydrocarbon-rich oceans of slush that swath the gas giants’ solid cores. Scientists have long speculated that the extreme pressures in this region might split those molecules into atoms of hydrogen and carbon, the latter of which then crystallize to form diamonds. These diamonds were thought to sink like rain through the ocean until they hit the solid core.

But no one could prove that this would really work — until now. In a study published this week in the journal Nature Astrophysics, researchers say they were able to produce this “diamond rain” using fancy plastic and high-powered lasers.

(Excerpt) Read more at nationalpost.com ...


TOPICS: Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: carbon; diamond; diamondrain; diamonds; hydrocarbons; neptune; science; uranus
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To: mad_as_he$$

I thought they renamed it Urectum.


21 posted on 08/25/2017 7:27:30 PM PDT by Clay Moore (MAGA)
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To: Loyalist

No way I’m going digging in Uranus for diamonds.


22 posted on 08/25/2017 7:29:21 PM PDT by adorno (w)
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To: VictoryGal

The market for synthetic gem diamonds is very small.


23 posted on 08/25/2017 7:29:47 PM PDT by HiTech RedNeck (Tryin' hard to win the No-Bull Prize.)
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To: Enterprise
DING! DING! DING!!

That's the post of the night (in my opinion)

Well played!

24 posted on 08/25/2017 7:30:10 PM PDT by llevrok (A group of baboons is called a "congress." Just sayin' .....)
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To: SaveFerris

If there is diamond rain on Uranus and Neptune, maybe there’s diamond hail too.


25 posted on 08/25/2017 7:30:59 PM PDT by HiTech RedNeck (Tryin' hard to win the No-Bull Prize.)
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To: left that other site
IMO that's the best thing Dylan ever wrote.The Byrds did a brilliant job with it but Judy Collins’ version is simply sublime.
26 posted on 08/25/2017 7:32:44 PM PDT by Gay State Conservative (ObamaCare Works For Those Who Don't.)
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To: Loyalist

A bunch of diamonds would probably pay for the trip there and back.


27 posted on 08/25/2017 7:34:43 PM PDT by Slyfox (Are you tired of winning yet?)
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To: Gay State Conservative

Yes...I love that song. The Byrds did a beautiful job (but the backing tracks were The Wrecking Crew).

Judy Collins has a beautiful voice and is still singing.


28 posted on 08/25/2017 7:35:08 PM PDT by left that other site (You shall know the Truth, and The Truth Shall Set You Free.)
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To: llevrok

29 posted on 08/25/2017 7:35:10 PM PDT by Enterprise (Do away with all symbols of past slavery. Start with the Democrat Party.)
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To: Jamestown1630

I did not realize how lucky.


30 posted on 08/25/2017 7:48:18 PM PDT by yarddog (Romans 8:38-39, For I am persuaded.)
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To: Loyalist

“Up in Xanadu diamonds fell like rain.
Citizen Kane was king. Poor citizen Kane.”


31 posted on 08/25/2017 7:51:47 PM PDT by BenLurkin (The above is not a statement of fact. It is either satire or opinion. Or both.)
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To: Loyalist

Uranus must be one tight sphincter to produce all those diamonds. Now if they can just borrow one of Saturn’s rings to put it on.

*thinking maybe I should X out of this reply - NAH its Friday night*


32 posted on 08/25/2017 7:56:11 PM PDT by LeoTDB69
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To: yarddog

The greatest thing about marriage is how you grow with it, all the stuff you learn, the deep *feeling* experience of all the emotions that it engenders; and how you change internally through the intensely personal interaction that it causes you to experience.

I think it’s one of the most deep and enlightening experiences that most humans can have, possibly only rivaled by the experience of parenting and raising a child.


33 posted on 08/25/2017 7:58:54 PM PDT by Jamestown1630 ("A Republic, if you can keep it.")
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To: Loyalist
Alternate universe Marge: "What's a donut?"

Homer: "Aarrrgh!!!" and runs away.

Alternate Marge: "Oh look, it's raining"


34 posted on 08/25/2017 8:02:10 PM PDT by katana
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To: Loyalist

35 posted on 08/25/2017 8:05:33 PM PDT by smokingfrog ( sleep with one eye open (<o> ---)
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To: Loyalist

Lucy in the sky with diamonds. Who knew?


36 posted on 08/25/2017 8:07:18 PM PDT by fhayek
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To: Loyalist

It’s up! Uranus!


37 posted on 08/25/2017 8:10:09 PM PDT by jmacusa (Dad may be in charge but mom knows whats going on.)
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To: Loyalist

So, global warming is a long term good for DeBeers.


38 posted on 08/25/2017 8:19:25 PM PDT by gasport (Smash the Beast - starvation takes too long)
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To: Loyalist

(Snicker, snicker)


39 posted on 08/25/2017 8:22:07 PM PDT by RedMonqey ("Gun-free zones" equal "Target-rich environment.")
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To: Loyalist

“It rains solid diamonds on Uranus and Neptune”

Something, something, , coal chute.


40 posted on 08/25/2017 8:44:48 PM PDT by DaxtonBrown
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