Space is full of wonders that stretch the imagination, from planets made of precious materials to celestial bodies affecting life on Earth. Here are some extraordinary space facts that challenge what we know about the universe.
There Could Be More Than 8 Planets in Our Solar System
While we typically learn that there are eight planets in our Solar System, the reality might be more complex. In addition to the well-known planets, there are at least five officially recognized dwarf planets: Pluto, Ceres, Haumea, Makemake, and Eris. But that’s not all—scientists believe there could be as many as 2,000 potential dwarf planets orbiting the Sun.
Moreover, the search for a mysterious ninth planet continues. This hypothesized planet, often referred to as Planet X, is thought to be as large as Neptune and about ten times heavier than Earth. The first clues of its existence emerged in 2014, and by 2016, researchers had found strong evidence through computer simulations, though it remains elusive.
A Planet Composed of Graphite and Diamonds
In the Cancer constellation, astronomers discovered a planet that’s as fascinating as it is valuable. Named Janssen, this exoplanet is about twice the size and eight times the mass of Earth. What makes Janssen extraordinary is its composition—it’s largely made of graphite and diamonds. In fact, diamonds are estimated to make up about a third of the planet’s mass. If this planet were mined, its worth could be a staggering $26.9 nonillion, according to Forbes.
Despite its proximity to Earth in cosmic terms—only 40 light-years away—Janssen is far from hospitable. Its surface temperature soars to a blistering 2,148 degrees Celsius, and its rapid rotation means a year there lasts just 18 Earth hours. Interestingly, one side of Janssen is believed to be in a molten state, essentially a sea of carbon lava.
The Moon’s Absence Would Be Catastrophic for Marine Life
If the Moon were to suddenly disappear, Earth might avoid a global catastrophe, but the consequences would still be severe. The Moon plays a crucial role in controlling tides; without it, many water-based activities would be impossible, and marine life that depends on tidal movements would face extinction.
Moreover, the absence of the Moon would eliminate solar and lunar eclipses and disrupt Earth’s tectonic activity, likely leading to increased earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Perhaps most importantly, the planet’s climate would undergo dramatic changes, possibly rendering it unrecognizable.
The Tunguska Event Remains a Mystery
The Tunguska event is one of the most perplexing mysteries of the 20th century. On June 30, 1908, a massive explosion occurred over the Tunguska River in Siberia, flattening an area of forest larger than New York City. The explosion was so powerful that it shattered windows 200 kilometers away.
Despite extensive searches, no fragments of the meteorite that caused the explosion have ever been found, leading to wild theories about weapons of mass destruction or even alien spacecraft. NASA estimates that the meteorite had a diameter of 75 meters and the explosion was equivalent to a thermonuclear bomb. In contrast, the Chelyabinsk meteorite that fell in 2013 left behind over 100 fragments, with the largest weighing nearly 700 kg.
Space Is Utterly Silent
The quietest place on Earth is an anechoic chamber at Orfield Labs, which absorbs 99.99% of sound, yet even there, you can hear your own body’s functions. However, space is completely silent. Without an atmosphere to carry sound waves, even the most powerful explosions in the galaxy occur in eerie silence.
NASA uses isolated environments similar to anechoic chambers to train astronauts. The absolute silence of space can be incredibly disorienting, causing untrained individuals to experience panic attacks or auditory hallucinations after just a few minutes.
A NASA Spacesuit Costs $22 Million
Spacesuits are essential for astronauts, but they come with a hefty price tag. NASA’s current spacesuits, which have been in use since the late 1970s, cost around $22 million each. Despite this significant investment, the space agency has only 11 functioning suits left, many of which are well beyond their intended lifespan.
Issues with the outdated cooling systems in these suits have led to moisture build-up in helmets, which can be hazardous. In response to these challenges, NASA has invested over $200 million in developing new suits, but the need for more has become critical.
The Moon Is Gradually Drifting Away
The Moon is slowly moving away from Earth at a rate of about 38 millimeters per year. This drift has significant long-term implications. Researchers have found that 1.5 billion years ago, a day on Earth lasted just 18 hours because the Moon was much closer—about 44,000 kilometers nearer than it is today.
As the Moon continues to drift away, it affects the planet’s rotation, gradually lengthening the day. Scientists predict that in a few billion years, a single day on Earth could stretch to 870 hours. Eventually, this process will reverse, and the Moon will start moving back toward Earth, potentially leading to even more dramatic changes.
A Powerful Gravitational Field Slows Down Time
Due to gravity, time passes differently in space. The stronger the gravitational field, the slower time moves. This phenomenon is illustrated in Christopher Nolan’s film Interstellar. When the characters land on the planet Miller, one hour for them equals seven Earth years.
Returning to the spacecraft after just over three hours, the astronauts find their colleague, who has been waiting for their return for 23 long years, already aged. Something similar happens in reality. For example, time moves a fraction of a second faster for astronauts than for people on Earth. Near a black hole, time almost completely stops.
Winds on Venus Reach Speeds of 500 km/h
Venus is similar to Earth in composition and size but vastly different in appearance and surface conditions. The planet’s atmosphere consists of heated carbon dioxide and sulfuric acid vapors and has a very high density. Data from the SPICAV spectrometer installed on the Venus Express orbital station showed that in the mesosphere of Venus at an altitude of 85-100 km, there is 10,000 times less ozone than in Earth’s atmosphere. The concentration of sulfur dioxide changes significantly over a few days.
Using stellar occultation, where the spectrometer tracks stars as they rise and set behind the planet’s horizon, scientists were able to determine the concentration of the main gas in Venus’s atmosphere. This distribution of ozone indicates that the gas interacts with chemical compounds that winds carry from the daytime side of the hemisphere to the nighttime side. Because Venus’s atmosphere rotates 60 times faster than the planet’s surface, wind speeds can reach up to 500 km/h.