The universe continually reveals new mysteries: from glass rain on exoplanets to giant magnetic fields of Jupiter. We have gathered the most impressive discoveries that will make you look at the cosmos in a new way.
Progress in Study
To visually demonstrate the progress made over half a century in the study of the universe, astronomer Paul Kudderk compared the scales: if all known areas of the universe by 1900 were displayed on a map covering one square meter, then for the same scale in 1950, a map equal to the surface area of the Earth would be required.
Mass of the Sun
The mass of the Sun accounts for 99 percent of the total mass of matter in the Solar System.
Planet with Glass Rain
In our universe, there exists a planet HD189733b, where it rains glass.
Long Journey of a Photon
The journey of a photon from the core of the Sun to its surface takes 170,000 years, plus another 8 minutes to reach Earth.
Magnetic Field of the Sun
The Sun follows an eleven-year activity cycle, changing its polarity at certain times. NASA reports that changes at the North Pole have already begun.
Gas Cloud with Alcohol
In the constellation Aquila, there is a cloud containing 200 septillion liters of beer.
Tail of the Solar System
NASA has discovered a heliotail—a tail of neutral particles extending more than 13 billion km beyond the Solar System.
Flying Titan
On Saturn's moon Titan, low gravity and atmospheric pressure allow a person with wings to fly, although it is deadly without equipment.
Dark Flow
Dark flow is a cluster of galaxies moving towards the edge of the visible universe at a speed of about 1,000 km/h. The reasons for this movement are still unclear; a connection to another universe is possible.
Water on the Moon
In 2009, the LCROSS spacecraft discovered a cloud of 100 kg of water on the Moon, as well as mercury and silver.
Water on Mars
In 2011, NASA detected "flowing water" on the slopes of Mars, likely salty, which flows across the planet's surface in summer.
Exoplanet with Burning Ice
An exoplanet with a surface entirely covered in burning ice has been found 33 light-years from Earth.
Magnetosphere of Jupiter
Jupiter is so large that it could contain 1,400 Earths. Its magnetosphere is stronger than that of the Sun and could absorb its corona.
Black Holes Around Us
Stellar-mass black holes form when massive stars collapse. Many of them merge into supermassive black holes, around which our Galaxy rotates.
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