It is not a surprise to see that the cosmos and space itself is stranger than our imaginations, a lot of things happen here that are inexplicable and incomprehensible. However, all of what we’ve observed yet is confirmed by astronomers. These are seven facts from around our observed universe that will change your understanding and perception a little bit when looking at the sky at night.
A Day on Venus Is Longer Than Its Year
There is no catch in this. Venus spins slowly enough that its one full rotation takes about 243 days on Earth. Meanwhile a whole round around the sun takes about 225 days for the planet. Also, it spins clockwise, which is rare in the space, so the Sun rises from the west.
A Teaspoon of a Star Weighs Billions of Tons
Again, it is what it sounds like. The star we’re talking about here is neutron star and a teaspoon of it means you have a ‘core’ of a giant star in it. This core has squeezed bigger mass than our Sun into that size. It’s dense and compact and that much amount of matter is bound to weigh billions of tons on Earth.
There Is a Planet Where It Rains Glass
Cannot even imagine bathing in rain on HD 189733b because scientists believe that silicon particles are present in its atmosphere. Forming glass and whipping itself across the sky. Its a deep blue planet around 64 light years away from us where winds blow at 5,400 miles per hour. Enough to blow your mind away?
Saturn Could Float in Water
Saturn is known as one of the largest planets in our solar system, at the second place. However, it seems that water has more density than this planet. Yes, which is why Saturn would float if you could dip it in enough water.
Moon Footprints Could Last Millions of Years
The Moon has no wind or rain to wear things away. That means the footprints Apollo astronauts left behind could stay there for millions of years, slowly worn down only by tiny meteorite impacts.
The Earth’s natural satellite does not have an atmosphere like the other planets. As such, there are no gusts of wind or rain on it. With nothing to wash off the surface, it is entirely possible that the footprints left by astronauts on the moon could stay there for millions of years, until a small meteorite crashes directly on it.
Uranus Rolls Around the Sun on Its Side
You have seen our Earth titled on its axis, in diagrams mostly. However, if you look up the diagram for Uranus, you’ll see its axis is tilted more than 90 degrees, at 92 to be precise. Nevertheless, it basically means that the poles face the sun directly for 42 years each, encompassing continuous sunlight and darkness for the respective amount of years on each pole.
Astronauts Grow Taller in Space
Taller does not mean that they’ll grow 4-5 inches, it simply refers to how gravitation acts for humans. WIth no gravity compressing their spines, they can grow about 3% taller in the orbit. And of course, it’ll disappear once they’re back on Earth.
The Final Word
The universe does not need to make sense to us to be real. The next time you look at the stars, remember that out there, glass falls like rain, planets float, and days outlast years. Space is not just big. It is wonderfully weird.
The universe is as real as it could get, even if it doesn’t make sense. The incomprehensible parts are the exciting ones that have the potential to rewire our whole understanding of the physics and science we use today. So, the next time you look up at a night sky, remember that infinite things like glass rain, floatable planets, pocket sized neutron stars with the weight of Mount Everest and days outlasting years exist in various different forms as well. We’re steadily progressing in understanding the universe, and it’s unsettlingly beautiful.
