Weirdest Things Ever Found in Space
Space is a vast and mysterious place, and we have only explored a fraction of it. Despite our limited knowledge, scientists have made some truly bizarre discoveries. Below we will delve into some of the most peculiar things ever found in space.
Diamond Planet
In 2004, an exotic planet was discovered, located 40 light-years away from the Earth. But this is not your average rocky planet. Scientists estimate that a third of the planet, named 55 Cancri e, is made of diamond! Imagine, a planet twice the size of Earth and one-third diamond. It’s a jewel thief’s dream.
55 Cancri e is a hot place
Not so fast though; before any enterprising jewel thieves start plotting cosmic heists, it’s worth noting that 55 Cancri e is not exactly a hospitable place. The temperature on the diamond planet can reach up to 3,900 degrees Fahrenheit (2,148 degrees Celsius). So you might say this diamond is kept under some extreme pressure!
Space Booze Cloud
For those with a predilection for alcoholic beverages, you may be tickled to learn about Sagittarius B2, a massive dust cloud found in the middle of our galaxy. The intriguing part? It contains a billion billion billion liters of space booze. To be more precise, it’s made up of a lot of ethyl formate, the compound that gives raspberries their taste and rum its distinct smell.
Sadly, No Real Space Cocktails
Hearing about the space booze cloud might have you picturing intergalactic bartenders crafting cosmos in the cosmos. Alas, the actual conditions wouldn’t permit it. With no liquid state in space, and the particles spread out by miles, floating up there to enjoy a cocktail won’t be possible.
Dark Matter
Among the universe’s most bewildering phenomena is dark matter. This hypothetical form of matter is invisible and does not emit or interact with electromagnetic radiation, making it extremely difficult to detect.
The Mystery of Dark Matter
Scientists speculate that dark matter makes up about 27% of the universe, with the rest being regular matter (5%) and dark energy (68%). While we still understand little of it, its existence would explain many phenomena, like the rotational speeds of galaxies and the behavior of the universe as a whole.
The Himiko Cloud
The Himiko Cloud is one of the largest objects in the known universe. Discovered in 2009, it’s named after an ancient Japanese queen. What’s unique about this cloud is that it dates back to the time when the universe was merely 800 million years old.
What’s Inside the Himiko Cloud?
Scientists are not sure about what it is or why it’s so big. They theorize it could host star formations or be the result of cosmic collisions. But until further research, the Himiko Cloud remains a gigantic mystery.
Invisible Rogue Planets
Rogue planets, also known as nomad planets, are wandering worlds that do not orbit any star and merely drift through space. Many of these planets remain undetected due to their dark and isolated nature, making them metaphorical ghost ships of the cosmos.
The Lone Wanderer in the Universe
In massive numbers, these planets silently move through the cosmos. Astronomers theorize there may be billions, or even trillions, of these standalone globes in our Milky Way galaxy alone.
With each new space exploration mission, scientists uncover more of the enigmatic beast that is the Universe. Who knows what they’ll find next? It’s the weirdness, after all, that makes studying the infinite expanse of space an adventure.