10 Mind-Blowing Facts about the Universe

When you look up in the sky at night? What thoughts cross your mind? Have you ever wondered what lies in the world beyond our reach? Just how many planets are really there? How many are habitable? Is there life elsewhere in the universe? In today’s post, let’s leave the pandemic behind and explore outer space.

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What is the Universe?

The term “Universe” refers to the whole of all matter, energy, planets, galaxies, and space. By definition, the universe then is a broad subject that covers almost everything. But can you picture how big the universe actually is?

Think about how you’re one of the billion people on Earth. And how Earth is just one of the planets suspended in space. Also, think about the countless stars you see in the sky and how our galaxy – the Milky Way – is just one of the billion galaxies out there.

That reduces us to literally nothing but a speck in the universe. But human’s appetite for learning about it is just unsatiable. Regardless of how much time and money is involved, our species just won’t give up learning new things about the world above us.

Scientists and astronomers believe that the understanding of the universe can help us understand our own world and existence. Hence, this fervent desire to learn the secret of the universe has lead numerous astronomers to great discoveries.

So here are some mind-blowing facts about the universe that will surely amaze you

You probably already know these facts, but it’s always good to start with the basics.

Mind-blowing fact #1: The first person to see space was …

Galileo Galilei was the very first person to look into space by the use of a telescope.

Mind-blowing fact #2: Proximity to the sun doesn’t define a planet’s temperature

It’s a common belief that the nearer the planet is to the sun, the hotter it is. But the truth is, a planet’s temperature has got something more to do with its atmosphere rather than its proximity to the sun.

Mind-blowing fact #3: The hottest planet is Venus

Venus’ atmosphere is composed of acid and carbon dioxide, which are not present in Mercury. Therefore, contrary to popular belief, Venus is the hottest planet in the Solar System – not Mercury.

Mind-blowing fact #4: There are million other planets in outer space

In the Solar System alone, there are 8 known planets. But outside our celestial “terrain,” there are still millions of planets that haven’t been discovered.

On Earth, Mt. Everest is known to be the tallest mountain. It has a height of 8,848 meters (29,029 ft). But it’s Olympus Mons that holds the record for being the tallest planetary mountain in the Solar System. It beats Everest 3 times over as it is only 21,287.4 meters high (69,841 ft) above datum.

There is a very high possibility that the stars you see in the sky are already dead. That’s because stars are billions of light-years away from us. Therefore, it’ll also take billions of years for their light to reach our planet.

Jupiter, the largest planet in the Solar System, has a diameter that’s eleven times bigger than the Earth’s. Its mass is also more than 300 times bigger than our planet’s.

The universe is estimated to be 13.7 billion years old. It’s also not static, but rather it’s expanding.

A day on Earth is about 23 hours and 56 minutes. But a day in Venus takes about 243 Earth days, despite its proximity to the sun. Venus, then, has the longest day than any planet in the Solar System.

Meanwhile, it only takes Jupiter 9.9 Earth hours to complete one rotation. This gives Jupiter the shortest day than the other 7 planets. The difference is due to the speed of a planet’s rotation.