The vastness of space includes everything between our home planet and the rest of the universe. Countless stars and celestial bodies are either involved or are the outcome of extraordinary events taking place in space. Let’s have a look at some of the catastrophic events in space.
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Approaching Mega comet
A massive comet, with an icy nucleus, around 50 times bigger than the previously large comet, entered our solar system in 2021. Traveling 85 miles across space, comet C/2014 UN271 (Bernardinelli Bernstein) though earlier mistaken as a minor planet, has a mass 100,000 times greater than an average comet.
This biggest-ever comet is said to come closer to the Earth in 2031. This raises the question of a more monstrous comet entering the solar system in the future.
- Andromeda
The largest galaxy in our Local Group is believed to be on an alarming path. Though it is 2.5 million light years away from Earth, this galaxy is headed towards the Milky Way Galaxy. And Andromeda is predicted not to arrive in the Milky Way Galaxy for another 3 billion to 5 billion years from now but if it does, it will dominate the night sky.
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Solar Flare
The Earth receives high-energy particles from the sun but the planet’s magnetic field often aids to prevent these solar attacks. A solar flare is caused when the magnetic contortions align with the inside of the sun. This appears as a flash of light and energy emitted in all directions traveling at the speed of light. Solar flare often results in a blackout in navigations and communication signals.
Coronal mass ejection (CME), is another instance, in which magnetized particles are released into space. If CME is aimed at Earth, it would to a lead geomagnetic storm that could destroy communications and the power grids.
In 1859, the Carrington Event was the most catastrophic geomagnetic storm in history. The possibility of a similar storm occurring now is estimated at 1.6% and 12% per decade.
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Black Holes
Black holes have defined the remains of a massive supernova absorbing everything that comes in its grasp. A supermassive black hole called, Sagittarius A*, looks beautiful being placed at the center of the Milky Way, though being 26,000 light years away.
Scientists have estimated that there are 100 million black holes within our galaxy. Scientists have identified a rogue black hole in our galaxy about 5,000 light years away. It is said to be seven times larger than the mass of the sun.
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“Kill Zone”
A supernova is when a star dies, with anything within a “kill zone” will be wiped out by the intense waves of radiation. A kill zone can expand over 40 to 50 light years from the supernova’s blast but nothing is prone to be blown out shortly. However, high energy and gamma rays from the supernova interact with the Earth’s atmosphere damaging the ozone layer. Thus, making it easier for the ultraviolet radiation from the sun to cause serious problems.
Betelgeuse, a giant red star, is on the verge to become a supernova. Being 650 light years away from the Earth, it is unlikely to damage the Earth. Astronomers have recorded 1987A (SN 1987A) to be the closest supernova to Earth yet, around 400 years ago. The Large Magellanic Cloud, a satellite galaxy within the Milky Way Galaxy, glowed with the power of 100 million stars for several months. It was discovered on Feb. 23, 1987.
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154,741 Extra Asteroids.
Numerous asteroids are floating in space, one of which is capable to end life on Earth similar to the one that wiped out the dinosaurs 66 million years ago. Scientists have learned from the wide-field telescope surveys, that 90% of the “planet killers” near the Earth are larger than 0.6 miles (1km) in diameter and around 50% of the “city killers” have been identified so far.
Recently, the European Space Agency’s Gaia space telescope has revealed that there are 10 times more asteroids in our solar system than estimated. The data claims there are 150,000 objects in the solar system, most of which are asteroids.
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Moon’s Shadow
An intriguing event is a total solar eclipse. When the moon covers 95% of the sun’s disk, the sky gradually becomes dark. This creates a supernatural environment as the moon’s shadow sharpens. If one is on a higher level, one can witness the moon’s shadow racing until everything goes dark.
When a solar eclipse is viewed with the naked eye, the fear of the sun not returning surges through the body until daylight comes back.
