Find Out the Top 5 Coolest Space Discoveries of the Decade
1. Gravitational Waves
In 2015, scientists made a groundbreaking discovery when they detected gravitational waves for the first time. These ripples in space-time were predicted by Albert Einstein over a century ago but had never been observed until now. The detection of gravitational waves has opened up a new window into the universe, allowing scientists to study objects like black holes and neutron stars in ways that were previously impossible.
2. Trappist-1 System
In 2017, astronomers discovered the Trappist-1 system, a solar system located around 40 light-years away from Earth. What makes this discovery so exciting is that the system contains seven Earth-sized planets, three of which are located in the habitable zone where liquid water could exist. This finding has fueled speculation about the possibility of life beyond our solar system and has sparked further interest in the search for exoplanets.
3. First Image of a Black Hole
In 2019, scientists released the first-ever image of a black hole, located in the center of the galaxy M87. The image, which was captured using a network of telescopes known as the Event Horizon Telescope, shows the shadow of the black hole against the bright disk of surrounding gas and dust. This groundbreaking achievement has provided a new way to study these enigmatic objects and has shed light on some of the most extreme environments in the universe.
4. Water on Mars
One of the most exciting discoveries of the decade was the confirmation of the presence of liquid water on Mars. In 2018, scientists using radar data from the Mars Express spacecraft detected a large underground lake near the planet’s south pole. This finding suggests that Mars may have a more habitable environment than previously thought and has renewed interest in the possibility of past or present life on the red planet.
5. ‘Oumuamua
In 2017, astronomers spotted an unusual object passing through our solar system at high speed. The object, named ‘Oumuamua, is the first interstellar object ever detected in our solar system. Its elongated shape and unusual trajectory have led to speculation that it could be an alien spacecraft, although most scientists believe it is a natural object. ‘Oumuamua has provided valuable insights into the diversity of objects that exist in interstellar space.
FAQs
1. How do scientists detect gravitational waves?
Gravitational waves are detected using instruments known as interferometers, which have the ability to measure incredibly small distortions in space-time caused by the passage of these waves. The most famous interferometer is the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO), which made the first detection of gravitational waves in 2015.
2. How far away is the Trappist-1 system?
The Trappist-1 system is located approximately 40 light-years away from Earth, making it a relatively close neighbor in astronomical terms. Despite this proximity, it would still take us thousands of years to travel there using current technology.
3. How did scientists capture the image of a black hole?
The image of the black hole in the galaxy M87 was captured using a technique known as very-long-baseline interferometry (VLBI), which combines data from radio telescopes located across the globe. By synchronizing the observations from multiple telescopes, scientists were able to create a virtual telescope the size of the Earth, allowing them to see fine details in the vicinity of the black hole.
4. Is there life on Mars?
While the discovery of liquid water on Mars has raised hopes for the possibility of life on the red planet, there is currently no definitive evidence of past or present life. Scientists continue to search for microbial life forms that could exist in the planet’s harsh environment, but so far no conclusive proof has been found.
5. What is the significance of ‘Oumuamua?
‘Oumuamua is significant because it is the first known interstellar object to pass through our solar system. Its detection has provided valuable insights into the population of objects that exist in interstellar space and has raised intriguing questions about the nature of celestial bodies beyond our solar system.