Sapphires and Rubies in the Sky

NCCR PlanetS: Researchers at the Universities of Zurich and Cambridge have discovered a new, exotic class of planets outside our solar system. These so-called super-Earths were formed at high temperatures close to their host star and contain high quantities of calcium, aluminium and their oxides - including sapphire and ruby. Illustration of one of the exotic super-Earth candidates, 55 Cnc e, that are rich in sapphires and rubies and might shimmer in blue and red colors. Illustration: Thibaut Ro...