Deep space expands far beyond our solar system, it holds so many mysteries and wonders! New research and findings continue to fascinate scientists and space enthusiasts alike. Here are 10 facts about deep space that we find fascinating:
10 Facts about Deep Space
It takes light years to travel through deep space
Deep space is so vast that even light, which travels at a speed of 299,792,458 metres per second, takes years to reach us from distant objects. For example, light travelling from the closest star to us other than the sun; called Proxima Centauri, takes over 4 years to reach Earth.
There are more stars in the universe than grains of sand on Earth
It is estimated that there are more than 100 billion galaxies in the observable universe! Each one contains billions of stars, which you can guess is a lot. That means there are more stars in the universe than there are grains of sand on all the beaches and deserts on Earth.
Black holes are the most mysterious objects in deep space
Black holes have such strong gravitational fields that literally nothing can escape them and that’s including light! Scientists still don’t fully understand how they form. They are thought to be created by the collapse of massive stars when they grow too big. Black holes are actually invisible, so their presence can be only detected by observing the effect of gravity on nearby matter.
The cosmic microwave background radiation is a remnant of the Big Bang
The cosmic microwave background radiation is a faint glow of electromagnetic radiation that fills the universe. It is thought to be a remnant left over from the Big Bang. This is recorded as the event that is believed to have created the universe. The radiation is nearly uniform in all directions and has a temperature of about 2.7 degrees Kelvin.
There are regions of deep space where there are no stars or galaxies
Deep space is that big that their are vast distances between stars and galaxies! This mean that there are regions of deep space where there is no matter at all. These areas are known as voids, they are incredibly large, with some spanning hundreds of millions of light years.
Some planets in deep space may have diamond cores
Scientists have theorised that some planets in deep space may have cores made of diamond! This is due to the intense pressure and heat they experience by their atmospheres. In 2012, a planet was discovered that is thought to be mostly made of diamond.
The largest known structure in the universe is a cluster of galaxies
The largest known structure in the universe is the Hercules-Corona Borealis Great Wall. This is a cluster of galaxies that is over 10 billion light years away from Earth. It is thought to be over 10 billion light years long and contains hundreds of thousands of galaxies.
Deep space contains enormous clouds of gas and dust
Deep space contains enormous clouds of gas and dust that spread across hundreds of light years. These clouds are the birthplaces of new stars, they even contain enough material to form thousands of stars.
The Voyager 1 spacecraft has left our solar system
The Voyager 1 spacecraft was launched in 1977, it has travelled farther from Earth than any other human-made object. In 2012, it became the first spacecraft to leave our solar system and enter interstellar space.
The universe is expanding at an accelerating rate
In 1998, scientists discovered that the expansion of the universe is actually accelerating. Even though it was previously believed to be slowing down. The cause of this acceleration is still not completely understood; however, it is thought to be related to the mysterious force we know as dark energy.
How to grab a piece of the Universe for yourself!
Deep space is full of fascinating and mysterious phenomena that continue to captivate our imagination. As technology advances, such as the space telescopes in our previous blog post evolves. We are certain to discover even more about the wonders of the universe beyond our own solar system. We hope you enjoyed these 10 facts about deep space! If you are as fascinated with space as much as we are please check out our blog on picturethestars.com, for more amazing facts about deep space and stargazing. Or why not capture a piece of the universe for yourselves with our Hubble prints and Star maps!
