Space is littered with mysteries that continuously capture the fascination of mankind. Every discovery or exploration brings along new revelations that further strengthen our curiosity to explore the depths of universe.
1. The Universe has no Center
Scientifically speaking, the universe doesn’t have a defined center. This is a consequence of the Cosmological Principle which states that the universe looks the same in all directions, given large enough scales. Post Big Bang, the universe has been expanding in all directions, creating a homogeneous and isotropic scape where no single point can be defined as the center.
The Continuously Expanding Universe
Furthermore, the universe is expanding consistently. This expansion is not in the form of galaxies moving away from a central point, but it is the space itself that’s stretching. Think of it like raising raisin bread; the raisins (galaxies) aren’t moving on the surface, but as the bread (space) rises, they appear further apart.
2. The Silence of Space
Imagine the quietest place on Earth. Now subtract every sound from your imagination. You’ll get a sense of the silence in space. Because it is a vacuum, it carries no sound. Astronauts use radios to communicate because radio waves can be sent and received.
3. Everlasting Footprints on Moon
Moon, unlike Earth, doesn’t have an atmosphere. This means there’s no wind or water to erode or wash away the Apollo astronauts’ footprints, or the rover tracks, or the discarded material from the mission. These imprints are expected to last for at least a million years.
4. The Innumerable Stars
It is an unimaginable fact that there are more stars in the universe than grains of sand on all the beaches on Earth. To provide context, for every grain of sand on Earth, there could be 10,000 stars out there. And we’re only talking about the ‘observable’ universe which definitely is an infinitesimal part of the actual cosmos.
5. The Diamond Planet
At about 40 light years away from Earth lies a planet made largely of diamond. Named ’55 Cancri e’, the planet’s diameter is twice that of Earth’s, with eight times the mass. A third of this planet is supposedly pure diamond, making it a cosmic gem.
A Tale of Extreme Conditions
‘h3>55 Cancri e’, despite its riches, is not suitable for inhabitation. The temperatures swing severely from around 2,200 degrees Celsius on the surface facing its host star to much cooler temperatures on the dark side.
6. The Floating Water Reservoir
Astronomers have discovered a massive, floating reservoir of water vapor enveloping a quasar located around 12 billion light years away from the Earth. The water vapor is spread across hundreds of light years and comprises 140 trillion times the amount of all the water present in Earth’s oceans combined.
Dissecting the Cosmic Phenomenon
This enormous cloud of water vapor is held together by a gravity well created by a black hole lying underneath the quasar. This discloses the amazing fact that water, one of the prerequisites for life as we know it, has been prevalent in the universe for nearly its entire existence.
7. The Possibility of Extraterrestrial Life
Latest advancements in astronomy suggest that it is increasingly likely that we are not alone in the universe. With over 4,000 confirmed exoplanets existing in the observable universe, and many more conjectured to exist, the possibility of extraterrestrial life forms increases.
But of course, these are just a handful of fascinating facts the cosmos holds within its staggering expanse. As we continue our explorations, we should be prepared for more reversals of our most cherished beliefs. The universe, it seems, is full of surprises.