Formation of diamonds on Neptune, illustration. Under the immense pressure and temperatures found in gas giant planets, diamond crystals can form in their cores. This process is shown here for the planet Neptune. At left, helium atoms mix with methane and hydrogen molecules. As the pressure increases, the methane molecules become more tightly packed in liquified form. At centre, the molecules disintegrate into hydrogen and carbon atoms. At right, under yet higher temperatures and pressures, the tightly packed carbon atoms form bonds and diamond crystals begin to form. | |
Lizenzart: | Lizenzpflichtig |
Credit: | Science Photo Library / TIM BROWN |
Bildgröße: | 6615 px × 2362 px |
Modell-Rechte: | nicht erforderlich |
Eigentums-Rechte: | nicht erforderlich |
Restrictions: | - |