Brent Daugherty

Diamonds may shine like treasures on Earth, but in space they are almost everywhere. Scientists believe there are entire planets made of diamond, created by extreme pressure deep inside them. Yet, when we look for wood beyond our world, it is nowhere to be found.

That is because trees are fragile miracles. They need the right mix of water, air, soil, and a calm climate to survive. Such a perfect balance does not exist anywhere else in the universe we know. This makes wood, something we touch every day, one of the rarest and most precious materials in all of creation.

It reminds us how truly special Earth is. Out in the cosmos, worlds may glitter with endless diamonds, but even the wooden chair in your home is more extraordinary on a universal scale. It is living proof of the rare gift of life that only Earth can hold.

-Neil deGrasse Tyson