Simulate diamond rain on Neptune and Thien Vuong

German scientists replicate diamond rain formation like on Neptune and Uranus on a smaller scale in the lab, according to the International Business Times . Research results are published yesterday in Nature Astronomy.

Carbon and hydrogen are compressed at extremely high pressures in Neptune and Uranus, resulting in carbon becoming hard diamonds . Scientists estimate these diamonds weigh millions of carats or hundreds of kilograms.

Diamonds form inside the core of planets like Neptune and Uranus.(Photo: NASA).

"Previously, researchers could only assume the diamond was created," said Dominik Kraus, the study's lead author at the Helmholtz Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf laboratory. "When I saw the results of this latest experiment, it was one of the best moments in my scientific career."

The team used the Linac Coherent Light Source device at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory to transmit shock waves to polystyrene specimens . Polystyrene is the perfect replica of elements that exist in the ice core of planets because it is made up of many carbon and hydrogen chains.

Under shock waves, almost all atoms in the specimen turn into nanoscale diamonds. This is just a small scale experiment compared to the process that happens on planets. Researchers believe that diamonds form inside Neptune and Uranus is much larger in size. Based on the mass and composition of the two planets, they can produce diamonds weighing over 200kg.

The study marks the first time scientists can observe diamonds in real time. Previous research also simulated diamond formation under similar conditions but could not observe the process. The laser-fired electron-free laser shot in the laboratory allows researchers to record what happens in the specimen over time to a millionth of a second.