Those who recall the era when Pluto was still classified as a planet won’t find the concept of a ninth planet in our solar system to be implausible. However, there is a crucial distinction that will aid in differentiating between the ninth planet (Pluto) and Planet Nine.
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1. Planet Nine
Given the immense complexity and infinite potential of space, the search for a breakthrough doesn’t necessarily involve finding something new. Instead, it requires identifying inconsistencies in our existing knowledge. This is precisely the approach astronomers took in the years leading up to the discovery of Galaxy X.
Although we have concrete evidence confirming the existence of Pluto, the same cannot be asserted for Planet Nine. However, there is some evidence of objects at the edge of the Milky Way that share similar orbital characteristics. Astronomer Dr. Scott Sheppard suggests that these characteristics could be due to the presence of a planet that would require approximately 10,000 years to complete a single orbit around the sun and would be at least ten times the size of Earth.
2. Galaxy X
Just like the white, fluffy clouds in the sky that can assume different shapes, so can the clouds of various nebulae located within the boundless galaxies. A prime example of this is situated 2,300 light-years away from Earth, in the Monoceros constellation.
In 2009, astronomers detected a disruption in the disc of the Milky Way, prompting them to investigate its origin. By 2015, their search concluded with the discovery of Galaxy X. The lengthy search was due to the fact that this newly discovered galaxy is only discernible due to the presence of four exceptionally luminous stars. This led experts to theorize that Galaxy X is primarily composed of dark matter.
3. The Red Rectangular Nebula
Discovered in 2017 by Dr. Robert Weryk, Oumuamua resembles a “giant space cucumber” in shape. It’s twice as reflective as a comet and travels through space independently of the Sun’s orbit. This is most likely because the frozen gas of the comet, when warmed by the Sun, receives an additional propulsion.
The distinct “extended red emission” of the Red Rectangle Nebula remains largely unexplained, much like when it was first discovered in 1973. The nebula’s unique geometric shape could potentially be due to two stars at its core, reflecting twin cones of light through cosmic dust. Alternatively, it could be the result of extraterrestrial activity…
4. Oumuamua
Tabby’s Star, located one thousand five hundred light-years away from Earth in the constellation Cygnus, has been the subject of numerous discussions over time. The primary focus of these debates is the star’s occasional 22% decrease in brightness, a significant contrast to the less than 1% annual brightness loss typically observed in average planets.
Believed to have arrived in our Solar System during the Victorian era, a number of researchers, such as Prof Avi Loeb from Harvard University, hypothesized that the sudden energy bursts from the comet could only be explained if it were an alien space probe. Regardless of whether it’s a probe or not, Oumuamua has now moved past Jupiter and is consistently progressing towards the next star system.
5. Tabby’s Star
A Fast Radio Burst, which can last from a fraction of a millisecond up to a few milliseconds, is essentially a sudden pulse of radio waves. Duncan Lorimer discovered the first of these bursts in 2007. However, the most fascinating one is FRB 121102, discovered a decade later.
There are those who speculate that the light originates from an advanced extraterrestrial structure, however, it’s more probable that dense cosmic dust clouds are contributing in some way. Regardless, the star, named in honor of the astronomer Tabetha Boyajian, is certain to perplex researchers for many years ahead.
Discovered in 1950 by American astronomer Arthur Hoag, if it is to be considered a galaxy, Hoag’s Object is unlike any other galaxy that has ever been found. While the common shape of a galaxy is a spiral (Milky Way) or an elliptical (Cygnus A), Hoag’s Object is neither.
Hoag’s Object, discovered in 1950 by American astronomer Arthur Hoag, is unlike any other galaxy ever found, if it is indeed classified as a galaxy. Unlike the typical spiral shape of galaxies like the Milky Way, or the elliptical shape of galaxies such as Cygnus A, Hoag’s Object doesn’t fit into either category.
In August 2017, a peculiar event occurred. The Fast Radio Burst, or FRB 121102, was detected originating from a galaxy 3 billion light-years distant. What sets this apart from previous bursts is its repetition – it occurred 93 times. One hypothesis suggests that these series of FRBs may have been triggered by objects being sucked into a black hole.
7. Hoag’s Object
The Bermuda Triangle has been the focal point of numerous Atlantic enigmas for centuries, with a history of disappearing planes and boats. Adding to the eeriness, astronauts on the International Space Station have experienced technical difficulties with their computers and other devices when traversing the region above the South Atlantic Anomaly (SAA).
Hoag’s Object, the only recognized ring galaxy, presents a significant mystery regarding its formation. Astronomers have speculated that its empty inner circle could be the result of an event billions of years ago where a smaller galaxy, akin to a bullet through a bullseye, penetrated Hoag’s Object, leading to the dispersion of its spirals.
8. The Bermuda Triangle of Space
The existence of another life-sustaining planet in the universe has long puzzled astronomers and scientists. In 1992, Aleksander Wolszczan and Dale Frail uncovered the first genuine indications of such planets, also known as super-Earths. Since their discovery, approximately a dozen more have been identified.
The Space Bermuda Triangle is a result of an anomaly created by the Van Allen Radiation Belts trapped within Earth’s orbit. Even the powerful Hubble telescope is unable to obtain clear images of the activities within the SAA.
9. Super-Earth
In 2007, NASA launched its Dawn space probe towards Vesta and Ceres, two protoplanets in the asteroid belt, with the aim of making groundbreaking discoveries. The results were more than just groundbreaking. Some would argue that these findings were so significant they could “blow the top” off many existing theories.
A super-Earth refers to a planet that is bigger and denser than Earth, yet smaller than the icy planets found on the fringes of the Solar System. The most recent super-Earth, G 9-40 b, was discovered in 2021. However, the nearest one to our Earth, 40 Eridani b, was identified in 2018 and is just 16 light-years away.
10. Ice Volcanoes
As time progresses, it’s becoming increasingly clear that humanity may soon need to leave our home planet, Earth, and seek out a distant, life-supporting world to inhabit. Consequently, astronomers are tirelessly scanning the night sky in search of any celestial bodies that bear resemblance to Earth.
It appears that Ahuna Mons, a mountain situated near the equator of Ceres, is probably a cryovolcano. When active, it erupts with a mixture of salty water and molten magma. However, due to its location deep in space on an icy dwarf planet, the cryomagma solidifies almost instantly when exposed to the extreme cold of outer space.
11. Habitable Planets
Upon first look, the terrain of Saturn’s moon, Titan, seems to resemble a frozen Grand Canyon, but this is far from the truth. Instead of the water rivers that shaped Earth’s magnificent marvel, Titan’s river, Vid Flumina, consists of what seems to be liquid methane. This has etched a nearly 250-mile long trail into the icy surface of the moon.
In 2017, Xavier Bonfils discovered a potential “new Earth” (Ross 128 b) 11 light-years away, using over a decade’s worth of radical velocity data. The only confirmed information about Ross 128 b is that it has a mass approximately 1.35 times that of Earth, and it receives 38% more light from its red dwarf star than Earth does from the sun.
12. Titan’s Liquid-Filled Canyons
Black holes, long regarded as one of the most fearsome and mysterious forces in the universe, are known for their ability to trap everything, including light. However, in 2018, a group of astrophysicists from the Université de Montréal uncovered something even more formidable and exponentially more threatening – an “Ultramassive” black hole.
The discovered methane-rich river on Titan is significantly different from anything that would be offered to its customers. However, as the first liquid from the first canyons ever identified on Saturn’s moon, it holds substantial importance for the scientific community.
13. Ultramassive Black Holes
Neutron stars follow a spiral path as they revolve around each other until they finally crash into one another. This rare celestial event, happening only once every 10,000 years, typically leads to one of two results. It either forms a denser neutron star or triggers the stars’ collapse, giving birth to the intimidating void we call a black hole.
The team utilized NASA’s Chandra X-ray telescope to identify “Ultramassive” black holes, which are approximately 10 billion times the mass of the sun. Previously, it was thought that black holes expanded in tandem with their galaxies. However, these “Ultramassive” black holes seem to be expanding at a faster pace than their stars.
14. Collision of Neutron Stars
For a long time, the scientific community has been uncertain about the existence of oceans on, or beneath, the surface of Mars. However, this changed with a significant discovery made by Dr. Alexis Palmero Rodriguez and his team at Tuscan’s Planetary Science Institute in 2016.
When stars collapse into themselves to form a black hole, they create a ripple in the space-time continuum that can be detected by anything within its magnetic field’s reach. In August 2017, the Advanced Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) recorded the first known instance of this event.
15. Tsunamis on Mars
In 2015, scientists discovered for the first time that a comet was leaving a trail of gas composed of twenty-one distinct organic molecules, such as ethyl alcohol and glycolaldehyde. Essentially, the comet was akin to the largest bar in the world.
The analysis of satellite data indicated the potential for extensive sediment redistribution throughout the northern lowlands of Mars. This data leads to the only reasonable conclusion that not just one, but two tsunamis devastated the terrain of our neighboring planet just over 3 billion years ago. Furthermore, the occurrence of tsunamis necessitates the presence of oceans.
16. Alcohol-Spewing Comet
Europa, Jupiter’s moon, is made up of a beneficial mix of hydrogen and oxygen. It is the only other celestial body in our Solar System (so far) that has demonstrated potential for sustaining life. In 2017, an event occurred that provided some insight into the moon’s enigmatic nature…
Indeed. Comet Lovejoy produces alcohol similar to the alcoholic beverages it offers to its customers. For every second Comet Lovejoy travels through space, it leaves behind the equivalent of 500 wine bottles. That’s more alcohol per second than most bars sell in a whole night — and it’s completely natural.
17. Life on Jupiter’s Moon
The All Sky Automated Survey for Supernova recorded a unique event in 2015, unlike any other observed before or after. This event, known as the Assn-15lh tidal disruption, exhibited a flash of light more luminous than 20 Milky Way galaxies, initially believed to be a supernova.
Scientists observed activity in the lunar tectonic plates. Hypothetically, this activity could have resulted in fissures in Europa’s 10-mile deep frozen ocean. Plans for future missions are underway to verify this theory. If confirmed, it could mean that beneath the thick ice layer, there exists warmer water capable of supporting life.
18. Star-Sucking Black Holes
The enigma of how a planet forms will probably never be fully unraveled. Yet, as we’ve progressed in space exploration and gathered more data, the Pebble Accretion Theory has garnered considerable support. In 2018, NASA researchers found the most compelling evidence to date supporting this theory.
Scientists observed activity in the lunar tectonic plates. Hypothetically, this activity could have resulted in fissures in Europa’s 10-mile deep frozen ocean. Plans for future missions are underway to verify this theory. If confirmed, it could mean that beneath the thick ice layer, there exists warmer water capable of supporting life.
19. Planet-Building Clumps
A persuasive study released in 2017 by scholars from the University of California and the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory has led to a prevalent assumption in the field of astronomy. It suggests that the majority of stars similar to our Sun likely have a “twin” located somewhere within the boundless expanses of the universe.
The team’s comprehensive research revealed that space dust, the size of golf balls, coalesced to create larger dust clusters. Theoretically, a few billion years ago, these planetesimals would have collided and combined to create increasingly larger rocks — ultimately resulting in the formation of the massive gas, rock, and ice planets that we recognize today.
20. Sun Twins
Since the occurrence of the “big bang”, the universe has been continuously expanding. Over the course of these 13.8 billion years, everything that has ever existed has left behind traces that can be detected with a highly advanced radio telescope. These ancient remnants, known as the cosmic microwave background, are utilized to date various cosmic events.
Nemesis, though yet to be discovered (and likely never will be), is the designated name for the Milky Way’s Sun’s twin. However, given the continuous expansion of the universe, if it did indeed exist, the Sun’s twin would have drifted far from its sibling long before the era of the dinosaurs.
21. Cosmic Microwave Background
The number of stars in the cosmos surpasses the quantity of sand grains on our planet. Certain stars govern the orbital configuration of whole planetary systems, while some are just barely sufficient in size to operate as a typical star. Among these minimally functional stars is a red dwarf star, known as EBLM J0555-57Ab, situated in the EBLM J0555-57 triple star system.
In 2013, scientists utilized the European Space Agency’s Planck satellite to delve deeper into the origins of the universe. They built upon the discoveries of Nobel Prize in Physics laureates Arno Penzias and Robert Wilson, uncovering remnants of electromagnetic radiation that dated back to 400,000 years after the inception of the universe, thus enhancing our understanding of the cosmic beginning like never before.
22. Small Stars
Colonizing another world will remain an unattainable goal for humanity without a renewable source of potable water. This is why the 2016 discovery of a New Mexico-sized layer of ice by Cassie Stuurman is of such significance. Granted, the ice may be buried under over 30 feet of soil, making it incredibly challenging to reach, but it provides an excellent foundation for future expeditions to the “Red Planet”.
A team of scientists from the University of Cambridge discovered EBLM J0555-57Ab in 2017. Astonishingly, despite being 250 times larger than Saturn, it holds the record for being the smallest star ever discovered.
23. Ice Deposits on Mars
About 60% of an average adult human body is water. Hence, when we seek a world beyond ours that can support human life, the key element to look for is the availability of potable water. Until recently, there was no evidence of water existing in our vicinity. However, upon further examination, it appears it has been nearby all along.
If we were to melt the ice discovered on Mars, it’s likely that the quality of H2O produced wouldn’t match what consumers are accustomed to. However, having any form of water on Mars is preferable to having none, provided it’s safe for consumption, of course.
24. Water on The Moon
When observing the Milky Way through a high-powered telescope, one can see the vibrant streaks of light that form the galaxy’s spirals. The enigma of what produces this spectacular display of light in the Milky Way is thought to have been solved — it’s due to the soccer-ball-shaped Buckyballs.
NASA converted a 747SP jetliner into a Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA), which was used to find solid proof of lunar water, with the common H0 composition, existing as ice at both the north and south poles of the moon.
25. Buckyballs
In 2013, scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology identified a planet, similar in size to Earth, orbiting a star much like our sun in a distant star system. This might seem promising to those in search of a livable planet for relocation. However, the discovered planet is far from being capable of supporting life.
Despite being discovered several decades ago, it was only recently that signs of their presence in the interstellar medium became clear. Composed of 60 carbon atoms each, Buckyballs reside in the voids of interstellar space and are believed to hold the answer to one of the most profound questions ever asked, “How did life in the universe begin?”
26. Fiery Exoplanet
Nothing, not even planets, sound, stars, or light, can resist the powerful gravitational pull of a black hole. The first black hole was discovered in 1971, when an X-ray instrument-carrying sounding rocket was launched into space. This black hole was named Cygnus X-1.
Assuming Mercury to be hot due to its proximity to the sun, Kepler-78b, being 40 times closer to its star, is approximately 40 times hotter. The ability of this planet to withstand such intense heat and still exist is a scientific enigma in itself.
27. A Blackhole
An interstellar object refers to any entity that originates outside the galaxy it is currently located in. Until a few years ago, there were no recorded instances of any such objects from beyond the Milky Way visiting our galaxy. However, in 2017, a group of Hawaiian researchers identified an object the size of a football field speeding through space.
Despite our advancements, we’ve barely begun to unravel the enigma of black holes. Numerous theories exist about these cosmic phenomena, but their true nature remains uncertain. When something is drawn into a black hole, its fate is unknown. However, some hopeful scientists speculate that black holes could potentially serve as gateways to different regions of the universe.
28. Interstellar Object in the Solar System
6. Fast Radio Burst 121102
The object’s path and unexpected explosions provided the team with the necessary evidence to conclude that it was not within the Sun’s orbit. As it is already en route to Neptune, the identity of the object remains unknown. However, some astronomers speculate that it could be an extraterrestrial spacecraft on a mission to explore distant planets.
29. Ice Cliffs on Mars
The magnetic field lines of the Earth are in a constant state of stretching and snapping back into position. When they snap back, the particles within these lines are propelled towards each other at speeds faster than sound. This energy exchange is known as magnetic reconnection.
Dundas and his team discovered a potential solution to the question of long-term human survival on Mars — ice cliffs. But these are not just any cliffs. Beneath about one-third of the planet’s surface, Mars conceals solid ice. Whether this is ice as we understand it on Earth, however, is still to be confirmed.
30. Magnetic Turbulence
In 1997, NASA launched the Cassini space-research mission on a 20-year journey towards Saturn. The objective of the mission was to explore Saturn’s rings, moons, and surface. The results that Cassini delivered exceeded all expectations.
In 2018, researchers utilized NASA’s Magnetospheric Multiscale Spacecraft (MMS) to uncover the first proof of magnetic reconnection between Earth’s magnetosphere and the solar wind within a turbulent layer called the magnetosheath. This revelation of “magnetic turbulence” is anticipated to provide answers to numerous queries about the impact of the magnetic reconnection process on Earth and the man-made objects orbiting it.
31. Oil & Gas on Saturns Moon
Dr. Ken-ichi Tadaki and his team from the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan embarked on an unceasing quest to understand the formation of galaxies and the creation of stars within them. They journeyed to Chile to investigate COSMOS-AzTEC-1, also referred to as the Monster Galaxy.
The spacecraft, while investigating Titan, Saturn’s biggest moon, found numerous compounds containing carbon, such as ethane and methane. In terms of oil and gas, disregard BP. It is believed that a single lake on Titan holds more liquid hydrocarbons than the total reserves on Earth.
32. Monster Galaxy
In 2016, researchers discovered KELT-9b, a planet beyond our solar system, using the Kilodegree Extremely Little Telescope. This planet, nearly three times the size of Jupiter, is significantly hotter. Two years following this discovery, astronomer Scott Gaudi made a remarkable discovery of his own.
The Monster Galaxy, named for its size and swift growth rather than any potential inhabitants, generates stars 1,000 times faster than the Milky Way. COSMOS-AzTEC-1, a typical starburst galaxy, is expanding at a rate that’s ten times faster than its counterparts in the 2000s, indicating a more rapid expansion.
33. Iron and Titanium Outside the Solar System
Planets in solar systems, such as the one Earth is part of, orbit around a single star, much like Earth orbits the Sun. These are known as single-star systems. The universe also contains multi-star systems, although these typically lack planets. Instead, the stars in these systems orbit each other.
A comprehensive analysis of KELT-9b, the most heated exoplanet discovered so far, revealed the existence of iron and titanium. Interestingly, their composition closely resembles those found in the Milky Way and, more surprisingly, on Earth.
34. Seven-star System
The Rosetta Orbiter Spectrometer for Ion and Neutral Analysis instrument (ROSINA) is a tool used by scientists to identify the (often unpleasant) odors of various objects in space that are too distant and hazardous to smell directly. A few years ago, ROSINA analyzed Sagittarius B2, a cloud near the center of the Milky Way, and the results were remarkable.
Systems with three stars are the most frequently found multi-star systems in the universe, yet they are not the biggest. The title for the largest goes to AR Cassiopeiae and Nu Scorpii, the only two recognized systems with seven stars.
35. Space Cloud That Smells Like Rum
The saying goes, diamonds are “forever,” and if that’s true, then the pulsar planet discovered by Mathew Bailes and his team in 2011, is set to exist for eternity. With a mass equivalent to Jupiter, PSR J1719-1438 b is the densest planet known to us. But, there’s a compelling reason behind its immense weight.
With its scent of raspberry and rum, Sagittarius B2 smells more like a bar than a gaseous cloud at the center of the galaxy, a far cry from the sulphuric aroma of rotten eggs.
36. Planet Made of Diamonds
In 2004, the astronomers R. Paul Butler and Geoffrey Marcy made a unique discovery – a planet that was different from any other known world in more than one aspect. Among all the known transiting-planets, Giles 436 b was the smallest until the discovery of Kepler three years later. Interestingly, it’s both frozen and on fire at the same time.
Imagine the excitement if we could access PSR J1719-1438. This pulsar planet’s surface is thought to be composed entirely of diamonds, formed from densely packed carbon deposits billions of years ago. Picture this: a diamond mine the size of a city, with a diameter exceeding 12 miles.
37. Planet Made Of Ice, That’s On Fire
In grade school, we learned that every planet in the solar system orbits a “Sun”. However, this understanding was challenged in 2012 when the Canada-France Brown Dwarfs Survey discovered a rogue planet that didn’t seem to have its own dwarf star to orbit.
It is hypothesized that any existing water vapor would be condensed due to the immense power of the planet core’s gravitational force. This same gravitational force keeps Giles 436 b perpetually frozen below the surface, while maintaining a constant state of extreme heat above it — with temperatures exceeding 800° F.
35. Space Cloud That Smells Like Rum
The saying goes, diamonds are “forever,” and if that’s true, then the pulsar planet discovered by Mathew Bailes and his team in 2011, is set to exist for eternity. With a mass equivalent to Jupiter, PSR J1719-1438 b is the densest planet known to us. But, there’s a compelling reason behind its immense weight.
With its scent of raspberry and rum, Sagittarius B2 smells more like a bar than a gaseous cloud at the center of the galaxy, a far cry from the sulphuric aroma of rotten eggs.
36. Planet Made of Diamonds
In 2004, the astronomers R. Paul Butler and Geoffrey Marcy made a unique discovery – a planet that was different from any other known world in more than one aspect. Among all the known transiting-planets, Giles 436 b was the smallest until the discovery of Kepler three years later. Interestingly, it’s both frozen and on fire at the same time.
Imagine the excitement if we could access PSR J1719-1438. This pulsar planet’s surface is thought to be composed entirely of diamonds, formed from densely packed carbon deposits billions of years ago. Picture this: a diamond mine the size of a city, with a diameter exceeding 12 miles.
37. Planet Made Of Ice, That’s On Fire
In grade school, we learned that every planet in the solar system orbits a “Sun”. However, this understanding was challenged in 2012 when the Canada-France Brown Dwarfs Survey discovered a rogue planet that didn’t seem to have its own dwarf star to orbit.
It is hypothesized that any existing water vapor would be condensed due to the immense power of the planet core’s gravitational force. This same gravitational force keeps Giles 436 b perpetually frozen below the surface, while maintaining a constant state of extreme heat above it — with temperatures exceeding 800° F.
38. Rogue Planet That Drifts On Its Own
For thousands of years, “shooting stars” have captivated people, whether they’re making wishes on them or simply admiring their beauty as they streak across the night sky. However, it wasn’t until 2005 that the first proof of an actual shooting star was discovered.
Despite the likely existence of millions, or even billions, of rogue planets in the universe, CFBDSIR 2149-0403 was the pioneer discovery. It’s estimated to be a minimum of seven times larger than Jupiter, and it meanders purposelessly through the cosmos. In essence, CFBDSIR 2149-0403 is akin to a backpacker in planetary terms.
39. Shooting Stars
In 2005, Brown, Trujillo, and Rabinowitz’s team, using images taken two years prior, determined that the celestial body known as Eris should be classified as a dwarf planet. A dwarf planet is sufficiently massive to maintain a spherical (or nearly spherical) form, but it is not a moon and has not cleared its orbit of debris.
During the execution of the Sloan Digital Survey at the Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory, astronomers stumbled upon hypervelocity stars that move across space at speeds reaching hundreds of thousands of miles per second. What propels them to such velocities? Interestingly, when a supermassive black hole consumes one star from a binary star system, the other is catapulted at high speed in the opposite direction, much like a bat flying out of hell.
40. Dwarf Planets
The Kuiper Belt, a circumstellar disc, is situated beyond Neptune at the edge of our solar system. This Belt is teeming with enigmatic celestial bodies such as dwarf planets, comets, and similar entities. As technology advances and our ability to survey improves, we continue to uncover more secrets and hidden treasures within the Kuiper Belt.
The discoveries made by the trio led to Pluto being downgraded from a planet to a dwarf planet a year later. Although the majority of dwarf planets are located in the Kuiper belt beyond Neptune, there is another dwarf planet, Ceres, which resides in the inner solar system. It is situated in the asteroid belt that lies between Mars and Jupiter.
41. Haumea’s Rings
When astronomy enthusiasts gaze into the night sky through the highly magnified lens of a telescope, they can observe celestial objects in truly spectacular detail. The stars they’re observing may seem round to the unaided eye. However, very few, if any, are actually perfectly spherical.
In 2017, a team of researchers and astronomers from ten laboratories, using twelve telescopes, unraveled a cosmic mystery. They discovered that Haumea, a dwarf planet known as the “fastest rotating body in the solar system,” possesses a ring akin to Saturn’s. This makes Haumea the first object beyond Neptune to be adorned with such a feature.
42. Flattest Star – Achernar
Originally discovered in the Asteroid Belt, Elst-Pizarro was initially believed to be an asteroid by the scientific community. However, nearly two decades after its discovery, this perception was altered when a comet-like tail was observed trailing the presumed “asteroid.”
Achernar, a star known for its unique shape, has earned recognition as the most flattened star in the Milky Way Galaxy, not just as one of the non-spherical stars. Its rapid spin has caused the gas on its surface to spread out and flatten, resulting in an equatorial radius that is roughly 56% larger than its polar radius. This gives it more of an elliptical rather than spherical appearance.
43. Elst-Pizarro
Many future space exploration plans are centered around the search for a water source that can sustain human life. After all, without water, human survival is impossible. In 2011, astronomers at the Caltech Submillimeter Observatory made a groundbreaking discovery using the Z-Spec spectrograph, a 33-foot long telescope that operates in millimeter wavelengths.
Some astronomers firmly believe that Elst-Pizarro is indeed a comet, while an alternative theory proposes it’s actually a masquerading asteroid. This theory suggests another celestial body collided with Elst-Pizarro, exposing an icy layer that’s responsible for the vibrant trail. What we can definitively say is that further research is required to uncover the truth.
44. The Largest and Most Distant Water Reservior
John Bolton and his team at the University of Sydney first observed the blue star-like celestial objects emitting radio waves in the early 1960s. However, it was not until 1962 that Maarten Schmidt conducted a detailed study using the Hale optical telescope, leading to the publication of information about 3C 273, the first quasar.
In this lifetime, it’s simply not possible. The APM 08279+5255 quasar was discovered to possess a cloud that houses a reservoir. This reservoir contains more water than 140 trillion times the combined volume of Earth’s oceans, and it’s located near the quasar’s black hole.
45. Quasars
In 1999, astronomers, with the help of NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope, discovered evidence of a terrifying cosmic event. The data revealed that several billion years ago, small star clusters from a now-extinct galaxy were consumed by the NGC 1316 lenticular galaxy.
Quasars are capable of emitting energy exceeding 1,000 trillion times that of Earth’s Sun, and are thought to house supermassive black holes that fuel them. It is hypothesized that a more profound comprehension of quasars could reveal insights into the development of nascent galaxies.
46. Space Cannibalism
When a star reaches the end of its lifecycle, it perishes and triggers a supernova, resulting in a colossal explosion. This event leaves a neutron star as the last vestige of its former existence. If this neutron star possesses an incredibly strong magnetic field and an extremely dense core, it is referred to as a magnetar.
It is believed that about one-third to one-fifth of all stars in the universe, similar to our Sun, exhibit cannibalistic tendencies. This implies that the planets revolving around them are perpetually at risk of being devoured by the star. Fortunately, our Sun belongs to the remaining 65% to 75% of stars that generally do not interfere with their planetary systems.
47. Magnetars
O-Type stars, despite being one of the less common types of stars in the universe, are incredibly bright. This brightness allows them to distinguish themselves from their nearby and distant counterparts. They light up the sky with a blueish-white glow that outshines almost everything else around them.
Magnetars are more than just magnetic stars – they are the most magnetically powerful stars in the entire universe, boasting magnetic fields that are approximately a trillion times stronger than that of Earth’s. Despite their relatively small size, with a diameter not exceeding 20 miles, magnetars still possess nearly twice the mass of the Sun.
48. O-Type Stars
Contrary to humans, who have progressed and flourished as a species because of our capacity to interact with each other, a galaxy’s survival in its existing state requires minimal interaction with other galaxies. Occasionally, though, these interactions are inevitable, leading to disturbances in each other’s gravitational fields.
Let’s illustrate the visual supremacy of the O-type star in the sky. Despite only 1 in every 100,000 stars being an O-Type, 4 out of the 90 most luminous stars visible from Earth belong to this category.
49. Interacting Galaxies
The cosmos is teeming with an endless array of celestial bodies scattered across the vast expanse of outer space. Despite this, there are still areas that are (relatively speaking) devoid of such objects. These areas, known as cosmic voids, are characterized by their lack of massive galaxies, unlike the superclusters that are not marked by these voids.
At a distance of seventy-five million light-years from Earth, the galaxies NGC 4038 and NGC 4039 are presently undergoing a merger through interaction. If any life forms are still present 4.5 billion years from now, they will have the opportunity to observe a similar event occurring between our own Milky Way and the significantly larger Andromeda galaxy. The two will either merge or cause the other’s destruction.
50. KBC Void
In 2022, NASA’s Ingenuity made a remarkable finding on Mars. The Mars Helicopter successfully located and examined the remains of the unsuccessful NASA Perseverance mission from just over a year ago.
The Milky Way, along with its neighboring galaxy, Andromeda, are constituents of the Laniakea Supercluster. This supercluster of galaxies houses the largest known cosmic void in space, known as the KBC void. While other voids typically span diameters ranging from 30 to 300 light-years, the KBC void is an exception. It has been measured to be over 2 billion light-years across.
51. NASA’s Perseverance Wreckage
The star WHL0137-LS, or Earendel as it’s also known, was first identified by NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope in 2022. Earendel holds the record for being the earliest and farthest star known to us, having formed within the initial billion years following the big bang. This star is located an astounding 28 billion light-years away.
The returned color images of Mars are unparalleled and offer significant understanding for potential future research on the Red Planet. Regardless of whether Ingenuity makes a successful return, astronauts and scientists have already declared this mission a tremendous success.
52. Earendel
In 1998, the Supernova Cosmology Project and The High-Z Supernova Search Team, two separate initiatives, determined that the universe’s expansion is speeding up. This groundbreaking discovery earned the 2011 Nobel Prize in Physics, which was awarded to Saul Perlmutter, Brian P. Schmidt, and Adam G. Riess.
Brian Welch, an astronomer from Johns Hopkins University, spearheaded the paper that detailed the discovery, which was featured in the Nature journal. “We were almost skeptical at first, as it was significantly further than the previously identified most distant star with the highest redshift,” expressed Welch. “Earendel existed in such a distant past that it might not have been composed of the same raw materials as the stars we see today.”
53. Accelerating Universe
Proxima Centauri b, also referred to as Proxima b or Alpha Centauri Cb, is an exoplanet located in the habitable zone of the red dwarf star, Proxima Centauri, which is the star nearest to the sun. At a distance of roughly 4.2 light-years from Earth, Proxima b, along with Proxima c and Proxima d, is the closest known exoplanet to our Solar System.
The study indicates that the speed at which a far-off galaxy moves away from the observer is consistently rising over time. The two aforementioned teams utilized distant type Ia supernovae to gauge this acceleration. Confirmation of this has been discovered through baryon acoustic oscillations, as well as in the examination of galaxy clusters.
54. Proxima b
In 2014, the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA)—a collection of 66 radio telescopes situated in northern Chile’s Atacama Desert—uncovered the formation of a solar system. The captured images of HL Tauri, a notably young T Tauri star, indicate that planets are emerging within the protoplanetary disk.
Although our understanding of its characteristics remains limited, it is thought to resemble an Earth-like planet. At the time of writing, it is still uncertain whether it possesses an atmosphere. The existence of Proxima Centauri b was verified in August 2016 by the European Southern Observatory, following years of research.
55. Formulating Solar System
An exoplanet, also known as an extrasolar planet, is a planet situated beyond our Solar System. While potential signs of an exoplanet were first observed by astronomer Walter Sydney Adams in 1917, the official scientific discovery of such a planet didn’t take place until 1988.
Given the star’s luminosity and effective temperature, HL Tauri is estimated to be under 100,000 years old. The protoplanetary disk was initially observed in 1975, but the 2014 publicly released images depict it as a sequence of bright rings divided by gaps. The disks have developed at a faster pace than anticipated over the last 40 years, implying that the formation of planets could also be quicker.
56. Exoplanet Discovery
In November 2010, astronomers from NASA uncovered massive bubbles in the Milky Way using the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope. These bubbles are composed of incredibly potent gamma rays, and their source remains a mystery. It is believed by astronomers that the event responsible for the creation of these bubbles in the core of the Milky Way took place several million years ago.
The confirmation of extrasolar planets came in 1992 with the discovery of several terrestrial-mass planets revolving around the pulsar PSR B1257+12. As of July 2022, the number of confirmed exoplanets stands at 5,108, spread across 3,779 planetary systems. The primary methods of detection for these exoplanets have been transit photometry and Doppler spectroscopy.
57. Strange Bubbles
Ap stars that oscillate rapidly are a class of stars that finish one oscillation between 5 and 23 minutes. Przybylski’s Star (HD 101065) is an example of such a star, and it oscillates approximately 355 light-years away from the Sun.
The Fermi Bubbles, situated above and below the black hole Sagittarius A in our Milky Way Galaxy, are expanding at a rate of 2.2 million mph. When viewed, these two bubbles appear to touch, creating a visual representation of the number 8 or an infinity symbol when turned sideways.
58. Przybylski’s Star
The Andromeda Galaxy, a barred spiral galaxy, is about 2.5 million light-years distant from Earth, making it the closest large galaxy to the Milky Way. In 1920, Heber Curtis, an American astronomer, observed dark lanes in the Andromeda Galaxy that looked similar to the dust clouds within it.
The Przybylski’s Star, found in the southern constellation of Centaurus, was first discovered in 1961 by Antoni Przybylski, a Polish-Australian astronomer. Later in 1978, it was revealed that this star pulsates photometrically every 12.15 minutes. Presently, it’s recognized that the star comprises of radioactive elements such as technetium and promethium.
59. Fomalhaut Dust Ring
The Needle’s Eye Galaxy (NGC 4565), an edge-on spiral galaxy, is situated in the Coma Berenice constellation, approximately 30 to 50 million light-years distant from Earth. Positioned near the North Galactic Pole, it was first identified by William Herschel in 1785.
The Andromeda Galaxy’s dust rings consist of numerous diverse molecules that emit infrared light, making them visible in images. These dust rings adhere to the galaxy’s spiral pattern, forming during the birth and death of stars.
60. Needle’s Eye Galaxy
The enigmatic debris on Mars isn’t an unusual cosmic event—it’s simply the remnants of the Perseverance rover. Affectionately known as Percy, this car-sized Mars rover was designed to investigate the Jezero crater on Mars as part of NASA’s Mars 2020 mission.
The Needle’s Eye Galaxy is renowned for its unique hole on one side of its core, thought to be the result of a dark matter collision. Its name is derived from its slender profile. Notably, the Needle’s Eye Galaxy is more luminous than the Andromeda Galaxy.
61. Wreckage On Mars
The Bernardinelli-Bernstein Comet (C/2014 UN271) is a substantial Oort cloud comet, discovered by astronomers Pedro Bernardinelli and Gary Bernstein in archival footage from The Dark Energy Survey. Initial images of this comet were captured in October 2014, when it was positioned 2.7 billion miles distant from the Sun.
When Percy landed on Mars in February 2021, its backshell detached and struck the Martian surface at a speed of 78 mph. Despite this, the images show that it remained largely intact. Scientists are utilizing this incident to aid NASA’s upcoming Mars mission, which involves bringing back Martian rocks and soil to Earth.
62. Comet Bernardinelli-Bernstein
2I/Borisov holds the distinction of being the first rogue comet ever observed, and the second interstellar intruder spotted after ʻOumuamua. This comet was first identified by Gennadiy Borisov, an amateur astronomer and telescope maker from Crimea, in August 2019. Unlike other comets, 2I/Borisov is not tied to the Sun’s gravitational pull and it made its journey through the Solar System’s ecliptic in October 2019.
The nucleus diameter of the Comet Bernardinelli–Bernstein is a minimum of 75 miles, making it the biggest comet discovered in the Oort cloud. It is predicted to approach just beyond Saturn’s orbit in January 2031. However, it won’t be visible to the unaided eye because it won’t penetrate the inner Solar System.
63. Comet 2I/Borisov
Remnants of a deceased star are composed of the most robust substance in the universe, often referred to as nuclear pasta. The protons and neutrons within the star’s withered shell can withstand extreme gravitational pressure, eventually transforming into linguini-like clusters of matter, hence the term.
In November 2019, Yale University astronomers disclosed that the tail of the comet was 14 times larger than Earth. They further commented, “it’s awe-inspiring to comprehend the minuteness of Earth in comparison to this visitor from a different solar system.”
64. Nuclear Pasta
A submoon, also referred to as a moonmoon, is a theoretical natural satellite that orbits a planet’s moon. Although no such entity has been found to date, its existence is theoretically plausible. Dr. Raymond and his associate, Dr. Juna Kollmeier from the Observatories of the Carnegie Institution of Washington, are researching the potential existence of such a submoon.
At the time of writing, our comprehension of nuclear pasta in neutron stars largely relies on theoretical computations. Matthew Caplan, a postdoctoral research fellow at McGill University, states that “the robustness of the neutron star crust, particularly the lower part, is pertinent to numerous astrophysical issues, yet its understanding remains elusive.”
65. A Moon With A Moon
Dark matter, the substance that makes up approximately 85 percent of the universe’s total matter, is believed to be ubiquitous. Hence, the discovery of a new galaxy in March 2018, which contained hardly any dark matter, took the scientific community by surprise.
They suggest that a few recognized moons such as Callisto, Titan, Iapetus, and the Moon have the potential to support enduring submoons, theoretically. “Callisto meets the criteria of a moon that could potentially have its own submoon, although none have been discovered yet,” they disclosed.
66. Dark Matter-Less Galaxy
Saturn’s Hyperion is undoubtedly one of the most peculiar moons in the solar system. This irregular rock, resembling a pumice stone, is riddled with numerous craters and emits a unique static electricity into space. Hyperion was first discovered by William Cranch Bond, his son George Phillips Bond, and William Lassell in 1848.
Allan Sandage and Bruno Binggeli discovered the galaxy in 1984, which was later named Ultra Defuse Galaxy. Situated 65 million light-years away from Earth, this galaxy is characterized by its extremely low luminosity. In 2018, it was verified that such galaxies indeed encompass both extremes of dark matter content.
67. Hyperion’s Moon
A single, high-energy neutrino hit Earth on September 22, 2017. This event isn’t particularly unusual, as scientists at the IceCube Neutrino Observatory in Antarctica witness such phenomena at least monthly.
With 83 confirmed moons, Saturn’s first discovered irregularly shaped moon was Hyperion. Named after the Greek Titan god of vigilance and observation, Hyperion, like the majority of Saturn’s moons, is primarily made up of water ice with a minor component of rock.
68. A Guiding Neutrino
The galaxy DGSAT I was uncovered in 2016, yet it emitted significantly less light compared to other galaxies. Shortly thereafter, researchers stumbled upon a “living fossil” within this galaxy, marking a truly unique event.
Nonetheless, this particular neutrino was unique because it reached Earth carrying sufficient data about its source, enabling astronomers to direct their telescopes towards its point of origin. They deduced that it was hurled towards Earth 4 billion years ago by a supermassive black hole located at the heart of a galaxy.
69. A Living Fossil
A neutron star, an extremely dense object, is formed when a typical star dies. While most neutron stars release radio waves or X-rays, this is not the case for the Infrared Neutron Star. In September 2018, scientists found that a neutron star located 800 light-years from Earth is producing a lengthy stream of infrared light.
DGSAT I is an ultra-diffuse galaxy, characterized by its stars being so sparsely distributed that it’s barely perceptible, despite being as large as the Milky Way. Unusually, DGSAT I is solitary, a trait not typically seen in ultra-diffuse galaxies. This led scientists to deduce that it was formed approximately 1 billion years after the Big Bang, thus making it a living fossil.
70. Infrared Neutron Star
Vega, in July 1850, was the first star to be photographed, excluding the Sun. The photograph was captured by William Bond and John Adams Whipple at the Harvard College Observatory. Vega shines as the brightest star in the northern constellation of Lyra and is situated a mere 25 light-years away from Earth.
Researchers theorize that the event is due to the original disk of material, which formed the neutron star, resettling around the star post-explosion. Nonetheless, comprehensive research on this subject is still lacking.
71. Vega
Although it may seem improbable for two stars to touch each other, such a phenomenon does exist. The binary system known as MY Camelopardalis is a perfect example of this, consisting of two hot blue O-type stars that are in contact with each other as they orbit a common point. These stars share a common envelope, which is the gas encompassing the binary star system.
During the summer months, the star Vega can be seen in the Northern Hemisphere’s sky. This star, which is approximately 450 million years old, served as the North Star thousands of years ago. Interestingly, it is predicted to regain this status in roughly 12,000 years.
72. MY Camelopardalis
The star SAO 206462 is unique due to its surrounding circumstellar disc of gas and distinct spiral arms. While spiral arms are common features of entire galaxies, it’s unusual for a single star like SAO 206462 to possess its own set—each extending a staggering 14 billion miles across.
MY Camelopardalis, the most luminous star in the Alicante 1 open cluster, is thought by astronomers to be on the verge of merging into a single colossal star. This event is anticipated to result in an extraordinary energy explosion.
73. Star With Spiral Arms
HV 2112 is a colossal star that houses a distinct neutron star within its core. Scientists theorize that this star was initially part of a binary star system, until one star engulfed the other. Henrietta Leavitt first identified this star as a variable star in 1908.
The star SAO 206462 is situated approximately 460 light-years distant from Earth. Scientists theorize that the arms of the star are connected to the presence of planets within the gas disk encircling the star. This gas disk is double the width of Pluto’s orbit.
74. HV 2112
UY Scuti, a red supergiant star, is located in the Scutum constellation. At the time of writing, it is recognized as one of the biggest known stars, boasting a radius approximately 1,700 times greater than that of the Sun (which itself has a radius around 110 times larger than the Earth). In terms of volume, UY Scuti is a staggering 5 billion times larger than the Sun.
Prior to 2018, HV 2112 was thought to be a Thorne–Żytkow object, also referred to as a hybrid star. However, current beliefs suggest that HV 2112 is an asymptotic giant branch star – a star that manifests as a bright red giant with a luminosity a thousand times more intense than that of the Sun.
75. UY Scuti
In essence, the Dyson Sphere is a colossal structure designed to capture the energy of stars. Currently, the Dyson Sphere remains a theoretical concept. The idea of this megastructure was originally conceived by Olaf Stapledon for his 1937 science fiction novel, Star Maker. However, it was scientist Freeman Dyson who further elaborated on Stapledon’s concept in 1960.
UY Scuti, a colossal red star, is situated 9,500 light-years away from Earth. If it were positioned at the heart of our Solar System, its photosphere would swallow up Jupiter’s orbit. Given its deep placement within the Milky Way disc, it’s thought to be a star rich in metals.
76. Dyson Sphere
The Great Attractor, a gravitational anomaly, is situated in intergalactic space and serves as the central point of the Laniakea Supercluster. Its mass is millions of times greater than that of the Milky Way. However, its location beyond the Zone of Avoidance makes it difficult for us to observe.
The Dyson Structure is a theoretical concept involving a megastructure that fully encloses a star, harnessing a significant portion of its solar energy. In theory, the Dyson Sphere could be possible, but currently, it’s far beyond the reach of human engineering. We lack the necessary resources to establish, maintain, and operate a full Dyson system. Perhaps, one day.
77. The Great Attractor
The Webb Telescope, one of the world’s most potent telescopes, made another remarkable discovery in late 2022. Astronomers directed the observatory towards a newly discovered exoplanet (a term for a planet outside our solar system) named WASP-39b. This warm, gaseous giant is in a close orbit around a star approximately 700 light-years distant.
The Great Attractor’s movement can be observed by its influence on galaxies hundreds of millions of light years away across the cosmos. Currently, this gravitational oddity is advancing towards the Shapley Supercluster. The Great Attractor, discovered in the 1970s, has been a source of fascination and mystery for scientists. Approximately four hundred galaxies, including our own, are gradually being drawn towards this gravitational focal point. We have an estimated thirteen billion years before we are pulled into the Great Attractor.
78. A New Exoplanet
The region of Cydonia, located on Mars, has garnered attention from both the scientific community and the general public. This area of the Red Planet is characterized by a diverse landscape of plains, small hills, and mesas. However, its most distinctive feature is the presence of faces, first captured in images by NASA’s Viking orbiters.
Researchers discovered a distinctive feature: a complete spectrum of atoms and molecules present in the exoplanet’s clouds. Some of these molecules are interacting, and the ability of Webb to detect this interaction suggests that we might be nearing the discovery of whether these worlds could potentially support life. On Earth, the chemistry of our atmosphere has resulted in the formation of the ozone layer, a crucial element for life.
79. Faces On Mars
One of the earliest exoplanets to be discovered was Fomalhaut b, also known as Dagon, which also became one of the first to be undetected. The disappearance of this potential planet in 2020 implies that it might not have been a planet in the first place. Rather, it could have been a growing dust cloud resulting from the collision of two sizable icy bodies.
The features include two eyes, a nose, and a mouth, closely resembling a human face, which have intrigued individuals since their revelation in the seventies. Although likely a coincidence, the formation of Cydonia remains captivating to observe.
80. Fomalhaut B
The Giant Void remains an enigma in space that continues to baffle scientists. It’s not filled with matter or dark matter, nor does it represent a hole in space. It’s simply…empty. Light can traverse the Giant Void, and scientists theorize that this light carries dark energy.
Paul Kalas discovered Fomalhaut b in 2008, which had a 1,700-year orbital period. It was identified through direct imaging and was located in the Piscis Austrinus Constellation, approximately twenty-five light years away, before it vanished.
81. The Giant Void
Regular matter, the kind we are familiar with, constitutes a mere five percent of the universe. The bulk of the universe is composed of dark matter and, to an increasing extent, dark energy. Dark energy accounts for two-thirds of our cosmic environment. It was first identified in the late 1990s, and has been a source of intrigue for scientists ever since.
The Giant Void is not the sole void in the cosmos, but it is among the most expansive we’ve identified to date. Its estimated diameter is around 1.3 billion light years, occupying a significant part of the Canes Venatici. Aptly, the Giant Void is frequently dubbed as “The Great Nothing.”
82. Dark Energy
While examining a 2003 data set, amateur astronomer Kai Ly stumbled upon a new moon orbiting Jupiter. The data, gathered from the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope on Mauna Kea, revealed that the moon was held in place by Jupiter’s gravitational pull.
Many believe that dark energy is responsible for the accelerating expansion of the universe, while dark matter is thought to slow this expansion. The first evidence of dark energy came from observations of supernovae. Additional proof was provided in 2002, following a survey of 250,000 galaxies and observations of gravitational lensing.
83. New Moon Around Jupiter
The Unicorn is the name given to this potential miniature black hole. As depicted in the image, it’s exerting a gravitational pull on a red giant star, which has become its unwilling partner. Located just 1,500 light years from Earth, The Unicorn is the nearest black hole to our planet discovered to date.
Jupiter, being enormous, boasts seventy-nine moons and numerous other objects that have been drawn into its gravitational pull. The latest moon, christened EJc0061, is situated within the Carme Group of the Jovian Moons. This newly discovered moon has an orbit that is contrary to Jupiter’s rotation and is characterized by a significant tilt.
84. The Unicorn
“Minimoons” are small objects that circle the Earth. Distinguishing minimoons from regular space debris can be challenging, necessitating thorough and regular monitoring to confirm their status as minimoons. Notably, a second minimoon was identified in 2020 by the Institute for Astronomy in Hawaii.
Scientists were alerted to The Unicorn by the activity of a nearby red giant. This small black hole is incredibly light, weighing only three solar masses. Its position in the Monoceros constellation, coupled with its rarity, inspired its distinctive, mythical name.
85. Minimoon
Utilizing the Subaru Telescope located in Mauna Kea, astronomers have successfully obtained an image of a relatively young exoplanet, a rare event indeed. This newly discovered celestial body, known as 2M0437b, is a mere 417 light years away from Earth, making it one of the closest and youngest exoplanets discovered to date.
An assembly of astronomers from the IfA have been observing CD3, a natural entity roughly the size of a refrigerator, as it orbits Earth. CD3 is the residual fragment of a large asteroid that circulates the Sun between Mars and Jupiter. This small entity may not appear significant, but if it escapes Earth’s orbit and collides with us, we will certainly notice.
86. Baby Exoplanet
Recently, scientists utilizing the Atacama Large Array detected an extraterrestrial world in its early stages of formation. In 2021, researchers discovered the first-ever disc capable of creating moons around a planet beyond our solar system. This primordial ring, abundant with materials, orbits in space around an exoplanet named PDS 70C.
At just a few million years old, its surface is as blisteringly hot as molten lava. Researchers initially detected 2M0437b in 2018, but it took a span of three years to verify its existence due to the incredibly slow movement of its parent star across the sky.
87. Planet Making Ring Outside Solar System
In 2014, astronomers from Penn State identified water ice clouds on an object merely 7.3 light years away from Earth. This is less than twice the distance to Alpha Centauri, the star system nearest to our sun. These ice clouds represent the first of their kind to be observed outside of our solar system.
This disk, situated four-hundred light years distant, is five-hundred times larger than the rings of Saturn. Researchers posit that this ring possesses sufficient material to create three celestial bodies equivalent to our moon. The discovery of this ring represents a significant achievement for astronomers aiming to deepen their understanding of how protoplanetary disks influence the formation of moons and planets during the early years of a system.
88. Water Clouds
A massive black hole, when consuming a source of matter (such as a galaxy or even a lone star), can transform into a quasi-stellar-radio source, more commonly referred to as a quasar. Quasars are known for their unique radiation emissions throughout the universe, and they are relatively scarce and isolated.
A brown dwarf star, which is a star that failed to accumulate enough mass to sustain nuclear reactions, is enveloped by clouds and is about the size of Jupiter. This finding is significant as it provides understanding into how cool giant planets revolve around different suns. The brown dwarf, concealed by these water clouds, has a temperature slightly lower than the Earth’s average, but still higher than Jupiter’s.
89. Clusters of Quasars
Often referred to as the “WTF Star,” KIC 8462852 is situated 1,470 light years distant from Earth. The Planet Hunters Project discovered it in 2015. The project’s citizen scientists observed peculiar light variations in KIC, including a significant 22% decrease in brightness.
That’s what we believed, at least. The discovery of a quadruple quasar within a single nebula sent waves of astonishment through the astronomy community. Such a find was extremely uncommon, with many scientists doubting its feasibility. Quasars are typically isolated entities, so the emergence of this group of active, supermassive black holes was truly breathtaking.
90. KIC 846285
Hyperion, one of the most peculiar moons in the solar system, resembles a pumice stone with its irregular shape and numerous craters. It also emits a particle beam filled with static electricity. This implies that Hyperion releases electric currents into space, a fact that was verified during NASA’s Cassini spacecraft’s visit to Saturn from 2004 to 2017.
It remains a mystery as to why this star continues to dim. Theories vary from a non-uniform dust ring to an extremely elliptical orbit, yet none have been definitively proven. While this star isn’t the only one experiencing inconsistent dimming, it is unique in being the only F-type main sequence star to exhibit such fluctuations.
91. Highly Electric Hyperion
Neutron stars, which are dense bodies created from the death of a typical star, usually emit radio waves, high-energy X-rays, and other forms of radiation. However, in September 2018, researchers from Penn State University observed a neutron star exhibiting highly unusual behavior.
Since its discovery in 1848, Hyperion has intrigued the astronomical community with its electrical output, sponge-like texture, and irregular form. This moon, the first of its kind to be discovered with a non-circular shape, left the mid-nineteenth-century scientists who discovered it utterly perplexed.
92. Infrared Stream
In November 2010, astronomers from NASA, utilizing the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope, detected two bubbles composed of potent gamma rays originating from the center of the Milky Way. These bubbles, expanding at a rate of 2.2 million miles per hour, were enormous spheres suspended in the void of space, situated both above and below the black hole at the core of the Milky Way.
Astronomers have discovered a lengthy stream of infrared light radiating from a neutron star located eight-hundred light years away from our planet. This is a phenomenon that has never been witnessed before. The scientists proposed that the infrared signal could have been produced by a dust disk orbiting the star, but this theory has yet to be verified.
93. FERMI-MENT Filler
The theory of Antimatter was first proposed a hundred years ago, and since then, continuous research has been conducted to further understand this extraordinary material. Essentially, Antimatter is a type of matter made up of the anti-particles of regular matter. It holds the title of being the most costly substance on our planet, with a staggering price tag of $2,700 trillion per gram.
Essentially, the pair of bubbles resemble an infinity symbol, adding to their peculiar nature. The complete figure-eight stretches 25,000 light years away from the galactic plane. The energy of the bubbles is equivalent to 100,000 supernovae explosions, and the cause of their creation remains a mystery to scientists.
94. Antimatter
Albert Einstein, one of history’s most renowned geniuses, postulated the existence of gravitational waves in his Theory of Relativity in 1916. Over the past hundred years, his prediction has been validated, with detectors such as LIGO and LISA specifically engineered to identify these elusive waves.
Antimatter is scarce in space, with almost none remaining. When it interacts with matter, both are annihilated, resulting in nothing but pure energy. This phenomenon occurs naturally in space, albeit infrequently, during cosmic ray collisions. Scientists are not only striving to learn more about antimatter, but they are also curious about its mysterious disappearance from space.
95. Gravity Waves
Similar to life on Earth, galaxies possess the capability to consume each other and progress over time. Andromeda, which is adjacent to the Milky Way, is presently devouring one of its satellites. More than a dozen star clusters exist within Andromeda, serving as cosmic leftovers from previous feasts. In essence, these star clusters can be compared to chicken bones.
Gravitational waves are alterations in the fabric of space and time, moving at the speed of light. Their strength is incredibly low, hence, only those produced by significant cosmic occurrences, such as the merging of black holes, can be detected by scientists. The astronomical community was exhilarated by the first direct detection of a gravitational wave on September 14, 2015.
96. Galactic Cannibalism
Neutrinos are almost weightless, uncharged particles that can travel through countless miles of lead without interruption. As you read this, neutrinos are probably moving through your body. These elusive particles originate both in space and on Earth. They are formed through the internal combustion of vibrant, burning stars.
Eventually, Andromeda will consume us as well. This aggressive galaxy is bigger than the Milky Way, and scientists forecast that it will ultimately engulf us. However, there’s no need to panic, as this merger is expected to happen five billion years in the future. Nevertheless, the idea is quite unsettling.
97. Neutrinos
The concept of vacuum energy is derived from zero-point energy, representing the minimal energy state in quantum mechanics. The theory of vacuum energy, which has been around for several decades, refers to the variations that quantum fields undergo in the “absolute zero” vacuum of space.
These “ghostly” particles also appear during more intense supernova explosions. At present, IceCube, a massive neutrino detection initiative, is in progress. IceCube plans to install neutrino detectors under the sea, within a substantial block of ice, and in various subterranean locations to gain further knowledge about these electrically neutral phantom particles.
98. Vacuum Energy
The initial discovery of a globular cluster was made by Abraham Ihle, a German amateur astronomer. Since this discovery in 1665, numerous other clusters have been identified in the Milky Way and beyond.
Vacuum energy isn’t just empty space—it’s a seething cauldron of virtual subatomic particles that are ceaselessly being formed and annihilated. These particles generate an anti-gravitational force that wrenches space apart. The cause of vacuum energy remains unknown, and scientists are striving to understand why the universe is expanding at such a rapid pace.
99. Globular Clusters
Ganymede, named after a mythical divine hero, is Jupiter’s satellite and the heaviest moon in the Solar System. This moon was discovered in the 1600s by two renowned astronomers, Galileo Galilei and Simon Marius.
Globular clusters are spherical collections of stars held together by gravitational forces. They can consist of millions or merely thousands of stars. Currently, over 150 such clusters have been identified in the Milky Way, and that’s only counting the ones we’ve discovered. Despite their abundance, the origins of these clusters and their implications for galactic evolution remain mysteries for the time being.
100. Ganymede
The inaugural practical image of a solar eclipse was captured by Julius Berkowski at the Royal Observatory in Prussia. However, it’s worth noting that eclipses have been happening on Earth long before the existence of humans. Over the centuries, these awe-inspiring celestial occurrences have elicited a variety of responses and interpretations from humans.
Ganymede holds importance as it was the inaugural moon discovered to be orbiting a planet other than Earth. This moon also stands as the largest entity in the Solar System that lacks a substantial atmosphere. It boasts a radius of 1,636.8 miles, and completes its orbital period in a mere 172 hours.
101. A Total Solar Eclipse
An earthquake of magnitude 5 hit Mars on May 4, marking it as the largest earthquake ever documented on any planet other than Earth. This surpasses the previous record of a 4.2 magnitude earthquake that occurred in August 2021.
The earliest documented eclipse in human history occurred on November 30, 3340 B.C.E., while the latest one happened in 2017. A total eclipse happens when the moon moves between the Earth and the Sun, completely obscuring the Sun’s face. Even though the sky dims as if it’s twilight or dawn during an eclipse, it’s still not safe to look directly at it.
102. 5.0 Magnitude Earthquake On Mars
Examining trace gas levels in planetary atmospheres enables us to explore chemical environments that differ from Earth’s. Venus, our closest planetary neighbor, possesses slightly acidic cloud decks. Despite the initial controversy surrounding this discovery, the recently gathered data holds significant value.
Despite the fact that these earthquakes don’t cause significant problems on our planet and occur quite often, the situation is somewhat different when they happen on Mars. From a tectonic perspective, researchers have found that Mars is generally a very tranquil planet, particularly when compared to Earth.
103. Phosphine On Venus
The concept of Synestia suggests that the Earth might have once been a temporary, donut-shaped hot mass, as per a 2017 study published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets. The formation of these celestial bodies is thought to occur when two large planet-sized bodies collide, which could explain the creation of the moon.
It’s a known fact that on Earth, phosphine is exclusively produced by life. Therefore, its discovery on Venus has significantly shaken the scientific community, particularly astronomers. However, this data has faced considerable criticism by the end of the day.
104. The Synestia Theory
While it’s exceedingly rare to observe twin and triple massive black holes, it’s not impossible. In this situation, we see three separate galaxies revolving closely around a supermassive black hole, with the potential to eventually merge and possibly collide with it.
Research suggests that Synestia was an initial phase in the giant-impact hypothesis, a current model explaining the formation of the Earth and Moon. This theory posits that Synestia formed following a high-energy, high-angular-momentum collision.
105. Three Merging Supermassive Black Holes
Years of research have led to the discovery of the first type of molecule ever formed in the universe, found in space. Utilizing the world’s largest airborne observatory, researchers have detected its signal within our own galaxy.
Numerous studies suggest that the system is remarkably impressive and unique when observed in the infrared spectrum. This could potentially indicate the presence of one or more rapidly moving and rotating black holes, which are likely also consuming matter.
106. The Universe’s First Type Of Molecule
On July 4, 2005, NASA’s Deep Impact spacecraft intentionally crashed into comet Tempel 1. This collision resulted in a spray of debris containing the fundamental components of the solar system’s basic “soup.” Using data from Deep Impact and images from Spitzer, astronomers began to identify the elements that eventually led to the formation of planets, comets, and other celestial bodies in our solar system.
In the early stages of the Universe as we understand it, there were likely only a limited variety of specific atomic types. It is believed that helium and hydrogen initially combined to create the compound known as helium hydride approximately 100,000 years post the big bang. Despite the expectation that helium hydride should still be present in certain areas of the universe today, it has not yet been detected in space.
107. The Recipe For Cosmic Soup
There’s no denying that the 2021 Hubble’s Tension has sparked considerable debate and disagreement in the scientific community; it remains a hotly contested topic among specialists in the field. Two opposing estimation rates present divergent perspectives when discussing the expansion of the universe itself.
Many components discovered in the comet dust were typical comet constituents, such as silicates or sand. However, there were also surprising elements like clay, carbonates (found in seashells), iron-containing compounds, and aromatic hydrocarbons, which are commonly found in everyday locations on Earth.
108. The Hubble Tension
So far, 53 moons orbiting the gas giant Jupiter have been officially named, leaving 16 moons still awaiting their own designations. While Galileo Galilei was the first to document and observe the initial four moons, an additional 61 moons have been discovered since 1999.
Given the current circumstances, the Hubble tension is shaping up to be a fascinating enigma. It might take a while to solve this issue as continuous efforts are being made to fine-tune the early and late stages of the Hubble constant.
109. 79 Moons Around Jupiter
Undoubtedly, each revelation about the Milky Way has marked a significant advancement in the exploration of the Universe, specifically within the realms of astronomy and cosmology.
For instance, when compared to Earth’s moon, the first four moons discovered by Galileo Galilei – Europa, Callisto, Io, and Ganymede – have been observed and measured to be significantly larger. However, the remaining 74 moons are noticeably smaller in comparison.
110. A Map Of The Milky Way
ARCADE, an acronym for The Absolute Radiometer For Cosmology, Astrophysics, And Diffuse Emission, is the instrument used to measure the microwave level background of the Cosmos. It employs narrowband cryogenic radiometers to compare the sky with external full-aperture calibrators.
Given that the Milky Way is 13.6 billion years old and comprises approximately 100 billion stars, the prospect of observing a three-dimensional map of it is quite fascinating. This unique opportunity was made possible in 2013 by Gerry Gilmore from Gaia.
111. Cosmic Temperature Independently Measured
In contrast to stars that are identified within a galaxy’s vicinity and are attached to it, there’s another intriguing occurrence related to star locations. It’s worth mentioning that certain stars seem not to be tied to a particular galaxy, and these have been designated as Rogue Stars.
ARCADE employs an innovative open-aperture design, devoid of windows or any potentially warm objects between its antenna and the sky. This allows it to capture measurements with greater precision than its previous versions.
112. Rogue Stars
In 2015, the objective of Cassini’s mission was to gather and disclose potential data that could assist in determining the likelihood of life existing in its ocean. Previous research has already seen Cassini’s spacecraft contribute to unveiling additional data about Jupiter’s moon.
These stars were first observed in 1997 using a Hubble telescope. It’s highly likely that they originated from a specific galaxy, but it remains largely unclear how they ended up outside any galaxy.
113. Water Jets Over Enceladus
The Cigar galaxy, also known as M82, is notable for its intense star formation activity, which makes it shine brightly in infrared wavelengths. It has a gravitational interaction with its neighboring galaxy, M81. This interaction led to a starburst, a phenomenon characterized by an extraordinarily high rate of star formation.
A significant discovery suggests the presence of hydrothermal and geological activity, including various basic elements. These elements could provide all the essential ingredients required for life.
114. The Cigar Galaxy
In 2011, an intriguing and captivating event took place. A group of astronomers, utilizing the Spitzer space telescope, uncovered the COSMOS-AzTEC3 galaxy cluster situated in an extremely remote galaxy cluster. The light from this cluster of galaxies had to journey for over 12 billion years to reach Earth.
The cosmic wind, produced by the radiation and energetic particles of these stars, condenses enough gas to form millions more stars. There will be a point in time when the galaxy’s swift rate of star creation hits its self-set boundary. If star formation speeds up excessively, star matter will be consumed or annihilated.
115. A Growing Galactic Metropolis
The Comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko, a member of the Jupiter family, originally hails from the Kupier-belt. It was first discovered in 1969 by two Soviet astronomers, Svetlana Ivanovna Gerasimenko and Klim Ivanovych Churyumov, who subsequently named the comet in their honor.
Astronomers believe that a particular type of object, referred to as a proto-cluster, has evolved into what we now know as modern galaxy clusters. These are collections of galaxies bound together by gravity. At one point, COSMOS-AzTEC3 was the furthest proto-cluster ever discovered. This discovery has provided scientists with a more precise comprehension of how galaxies have evolved and transformed over the course of the universe’s history.
116. Comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko
The famous Lyman-alpha blob, named after the 3rd-century Japanese shaman queen Himiko by Masami Ouchi from the Carnegie Institution in Pasadena, California, is located in the constellation Cetus. This blob is approximately 12.9 billion years away from Earth and is half the size of the Milky Way.
Rosetta’s exploration of Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko was filled with thrilling events. These ranged from the spacecraft’s awakening from hibernation in 2014 and its attempt to approach the comet’s duck-shaped surface, to its ultimate collision with the surface in 2016.
117. Himiko
In 2007, David Narkevic and Duncan Lorimer embarked on a quest to find pulsars within the historical data from the Parkes radio telescope’s archives in Australia. Little did they know, they were on the brink of an extraordinary journey that would lead to one of the most thrilling discoveries in recent years.
What makes Himiko particularly fascinating and unique is its representation as a well-established primordial Lyman-alpha blob. This makes it the most ancient Lyman-alpha blob ever discovered in history.
118. Fast Radio Bursts (FRB)
Most of the time, infrared light is more reliable in detecting the correct gas and dust clouds than visible light. Consequently, Spitzer has decided to provide users with unprecedented views of star-forming areas. This Spitzer image of the Rho Ophiuchus dark cloud depicts young stars emerging from their birth layer of dust.
The significant discovery of the Lorimer Burst was made, as observed in the Parkes data in 2001. This Lorimer Burst, being the first fast radio burst (FRB) to be identified, was recorded in the 2001 Parkes data and has been discovered in this particular instance.
119. Big Baby Galaxies
TRAPPIST-1, a red dwarf star, stands out as the most prevalent type of star in our Milky Way galaxy. Fascinatingly, three of its planets are comfortably situated in the habitable zone, also known as the Goldilocks Zone. This zone is crucial for life as we know it because it’s the perfect distance from the star where liquid water can potentially exist on a planet’s surface. The existence of these planets in such a zone sparks immense interest and speculation about the possibilities of life beyond our solar system.
The Rho Oph cloud, a prominent feature in the night sky, lies in close proximity to our Solar System, making it one of the nearest star-forming regions we can observe. This nebula, situated near the constellations Scorpius and Ophiuchus, is approximately 410 light-years distant from Earth. Its visibility in the sky near these constellations highlights its significance and accessibility to astronomers, enabling detailed study and observation of its star-forming activities. As such, it stands as a crucial subject for understanding the processes of stellar birth and evolution in our cosmic neighborhood.
120. 7 Earth-Size Planets
In recent decades, Mars has become the focal point of numerous space missions, more than any other celestial body. These missions have collectively contributed to a comprehensive understanding of Mars’ history. Evidence of former lakes and oceans, along with the essential components for life, solidifies the notion that Mars was once a water-rich planet. This revelation has profound implications for our search for extraterrestrial life and understanding of planetary evolution..
A groundbreaking discovery in 2017 unveiled a remarkable solar system, TRAPPIST-1, hosting seven Earth-sized planets. This system, located a mere 39 light-years away, marks a significant find in the quest for exoplanets. The discovery was led by Michael Gillon from the University of Liege, Belgium, utilizing the TRAPPIST telescope at Chile’s La Silla Observatory. This remarkable achievement not only sheds light on the variety of planetary systems in our galaxy but also raises intriguing possibilities about the conditions and potential for life on these distant worlds.
121. Methane On Mars
The capture of a direct image of a supermassive black hole at the center of a galaxy is a groundbreaking achievement in astronomy. This feat, accomplished by a network of telescopes around the globe, marks the first successful attempt at imaging a black hole, or more accurately, its “shadow.” This historic achievement not only confirms the existence of black holes but also provides invaluable insights into their nature and the role they play in the universe.
The presence and concentration of methane in the Martian atmosphere hold profound implications for planetary science and exobiology. This interest stems from the possibility that methane could indicate either current or past microbial life on Mars. Researchers are keenly focused on understanding the origins and implications of this gas on the Red Planet. Its study could potentially unlock secrets about Mars’ past environment and whether it ever hosted conditions conducive to life, a question that has long fascinated scientists and the public alike.
122. First Image of A Black Hole
Vesta, named after the Roman goddess of home and hearth, is among the largest objects in the Asteroid Belt. Its discovery in 1807 by German astronomer Heinrich Wilhelm Matthias Olbers was a significant milestone in the field of astronomy. Vesta’s unique characteristics and its status in the Asteroid Belt make it a subject of great interest for understanding the early solar system and the formation of planetary bodies.
Black holes, known for their inability to emit light, create a fascinating phenomenon through their intense gravitational pull. This force is so strong that it bends and deflects light from nearby gas clouds, a process not directly observable with visible light. In rare instances, a ray of light may nearly complete a full orbit around a black hole before escaping towards Earth, resulting in the appearance of a dark, shadowed object surrounded by a luminous ring. This interaction between light and the black hole’s gravity provides valuable insights into these mysterious cosmic entities.
123. Vesta
The quest to understand dark matter has led to alternative explanations gaining traction, as concrete experimental evidence remains elusive in pinpointing the exact particle responsible for this mysterious substance. Over the last 16 years, our understanding of how dark matter influences the motion of stars and galaxies has grown significantly clearer. This progress in understanding dark matter’s gravitational effects is a crucial step in unraveling one of the universe’s greatest mysteries.
Among the celestial bodies visible from Earth, there exists an asteroid renowned for its exceptional luminosity. Often visible to the unaided eye, this asteroid can reach brightness levels as high as magnitude 5.1, making it a notable object in the night sky. Interestingly, its orbit around the Sun is entirely within the orbit of Ceres, the largest asteroid in the asteroid belt, yet its furthest point from the Sun slightly exceeds Ceres’ closest approach. This unique orbital characteristic adds to the asteroid’s distinction and visibility from Earth.
124. Dark Matter In The Bullet Cluster
The discovery of the Twin Quasar in 1979 marked a pivotal moment in astrophysics as it was the first known gravitationally lensed object. This phenomenon occurs due to the gravitational lensing effect of the galaxy YGKOW G1, which lies directly between Earth and the quasar. As a result, the quasar appears as two distinct images, providing a fascinating demonstration of Einstein’s theory of general relativity and the warping of space-time by massive objects..
In the mid-2000s, a team of astronomers conducted a pivotal study on the Bullet Cluster, focusing on measuring its mass. Their findings revealed a mass distribution that deviated from predictions based solely on visible and normal matter, even when considering alternative theories of gravity. This discrepancy provided compelling evidence for the existence of dark matter, a mysterious and unseen component of the universe. This discovery added significant weight to the concept of dark matter, further confirming its role in the cosmic structure.
125. Double Quasar Image
In 1979, a team of researchers at NASA made a significant contribution to the field of astrophysics with the discovery of the Double Quasar. This discovery underscored the importance of gravitational lensing in understanding the distribution and influence of mass in the universe. The Double Quasar remains a subject of study and fascination, offering insights into the early universe and the phenomena of quasars themselves.
Researchers aiming to determine the universe’s expansion rate have employed the Hubble Space Telescope to observe a quasar from the early stages of the universe. Their findings, which are in conflict with other measurements, suggest that the universe is currently expanding much more rapidly than it did in the past. This discrepancy poses a challenge for physicists, who must now reassess their theories and consider the possibility of other unknown phenomena influencing the expansion rate. This research highlights the dynamic and continually evolving nature of our understanding of the universe’s history and future.
