Forms of Carbon

Thanks to Martin Van der Wal for sharing this piece from the Deep Universe Facebook page. Images by Mark Chew taken on the ancient trail from Yuasa to Kumano on the Kumano Kodo trail in central Japan. With a nod of acknowledgemnet to the 80th anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima

Diamonds may be a symbol of wealth on Earth, but in the universe, they are shockingly common. Astronomers have spotted diamond-like carbon crystals in the atmospheres of giant planets, inside meteorites, and even buried deep within white dwarf stars. Entire diamond planets might exist, like the famous 55 Cancri e, where massive pressure turns carbon into shimmering stone across the surface.

But what if we told you that wood is far rarer than any diamond in space? While diamonds form through natural physical processes, wood only exists because of life. It needs sunlight, water, carbon dioxide, and most importantly, trees. Trees are living organisms that grow through photosynthesis, a delicate biological miracle we’ve only observed here on Earth.

There is no confirmed evidence of trees or plant-based life anywhere else in the cosmos. No alien forests, no leaves in the wind, and no wooden logs floating through space. Every plank, chair, or tree you see is a product of Earth’s unique biosphere. Unlike diamonds, which are formed by heat and pressure, wood is crafted by cells, growth, and time.

So while diamonds glitter on distant exoplanets and sparkle in alien skies, wood tells a deeper story. It is the rarest treasure because it is born from life. A simple stick on Earth is more precious than an entire planet of diamonds when viewed through the lens of the universe.

Next time you see a tree or hold something wooden, remember you’re touching one of the most exceptional materials in the cosmos.