Could Mercury be hiding a layer of diamonds?

Mercury is the nearest planet to the Sun in our Solar System

Mercury is the smallest planet in our Solar System, but could there be more to it than previously thought?

Scientists believe there could be a big layer of diamonds hiding under the surface.

Research suggests it could even be more than 11 miles thick!

Experts think the layer of diamonds formed over time because of the high pressure and temperature deep within the planet.

What did scientists find?

Experts think there could be a layer of diamonds within Mercury

A team of international scientists from China and Belgium looked at research from Nasa's Messenger spacecraft - the first probe to orbit Mercury.

They say the data suggests that when the planet was formed - around 4.5 billion years ago - the tiny planet was rich in carbon.

Carbon is an element which under extreme conditions can turn into diamond.

Researchers think that the planet had the correct pressure and temperature in its core - its innermost layer - in order for this to happen.

This diamond then floated up through the planet - creating a layer between the core and the mantle.

Over time it would have continued to grow, and scientists now think it could be as much as 11 miles thick!

Experts hope this discovery can help them solve some of the other mysteries surrounding Mercury.