The Mysteries of Space
By Maria I. Taylor
3 December 2024
Beyond our planet lies a vast and mysterious universe, and every discovery seems to open up even more questions about the world around us. With its endless horizons, space holds many secrets that continue to astonish scientists, astronomers, and space enthusiasts alike. From the birth of stars to the discovery of distant exoplanets, space is full of extraordinary facts that defy our understanding. In this article, I will be telling you some facts about space.
For starters, the first fact about space is that it is completely silent. Since outer space has no atmosphere, sound waves cannot travel, meaning there is absolutely no sound. This means if you were floating around space without a spacesuit (definitely not recommended) you still wouldn’t be able to hear anything, even two loud rocks hitting each other.
The next fact is about one particular planet called Venus. Venus is the second planet closest to the Sun. One day on Venus is equivalent to about 243 Earth days. This is due to the super slow rotational speeds and the close proximity to the sun. So, next time you're looking for a long vacation, Venus should be your first destination!
Now, let's talk about the coldness of space. Did you know that the coldest spot in space is actually on Earth? (Well, kind of). Naturally, the coldest part would be the Boomerang Nebula, which holds a record temperature of -457.6°F (-272°C), but here on Earth, scientists have actually created temperatures colder than that by using fancy technology like lasers and magnets.
Saturn is known as the failed star planet, which is somewhat sad. As we know, Saturn is famously known for its breathtaking rings, which appear to be huge (or are they?) The thing about Saturn's rings is that they are surprisingly thin. They span up to 175,000 miles but are only about 30 feet thick!
Who doesn’t love a nice swim in the ocean? Next time you are looking for a new beach to try out, maybe try looking up Jupiter. This is because Jupiter is actually home to the Solar System’s biggest ocean. It is believed to have an enormous ocean of liquid hydrogen beneath its thick atmosphere. This means that this one huge Jupiter Ocean is larger than ALL of Earth’s oceans combined.
There is so much more to space that we may never know. Whether you're dreaming of stargazing or imagining life beyond Earth, these fun facts remind us of the beauty and mystery of the cosmos.
