The universe hosts planets where it rains glass at 5,400 mph
In short: Space is not a serene vacuum; it is a gallery of cosmic extremes. From planets being stretched into egg shapes by gravity to stars that unleash light a million trillion times brighter than our Sun, the cosmos contains environments that defy terrestrial logic and imagination.
The 'Galaxy of Horrors' highlights several celestial bodies defined by violent physics. One such world, HD 189733 b, experiences weather where howling winds whip glass sideways at speeds of 5,400 mph (2 km/s). Another extreme is Kepler-70b (KOI-55 b), a planet that likely reached temperatures of about 12,000 degrees F (6,800 C) after spending time inside its now-dead host star. The planet HD 80606 b undergoes star-grazing torture due to its extreme elliptical orbit. This proximity generates supersonic shockwave storms and howling winds across the surface. Additionally, a massive star is currently stripping pieces from the nearby gas giant WASP-12 b.
Beyond individual planets, the universe contains 'zombie worlds'—planets like Poltergeist and Draugr that orbit pulsars. These systems are bombarded with constant radiation from an undead star. Conversely, certain areas within the universe function as celestial burial grounds; a particular galaxy stopped producing new suns just several billion years following the Big Bang, resulting in a tomb lit by fading crimson radiation. The monster black hole CygnusX-1 lurks roughly 6,000 light-years away from our home. These celestial predators can consume anything that wanders too close to their reach. Furthermore, the young star AU Microscopii traps its planet inside a disk of ghostly dust.
On a structural level, the universe is governed by invisible forces. Dark matter forms a skeletal web across the cosmos, revealed primarily through its gravitational pull. Meanwhile, dark energy acts as a relentless pressure driving the universe to expand at an accelerating rate. These forces, combined with phenomena like gamma-ray bursts—which can shine a million trillion times brighter than the Sun—define the true scale of our cosmic neighborhood. The system AU Microscopii also subjects its orbiting world to deadly blasts of X-rays and other radiation. These emissions are part of the violent processes that shape our universe's evolution. Scientists continue to study these interactions to understand how matter behaves under such intense conditions.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: NASA Science Live: Galaxy of Horrors
- Also: Galaxy of Horrors - NASA Science
- Also: svs.gsfc.nasa.gov — NASA Scientific Visualization Studio | NASA Science Live: Galaxy of Horrors (Episode 10)
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/space-nasa-science-live-galaxy-of-horrors.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Astronomy · More in Space · Latest · A–Z · All topics
