You Have No Idea What’s Out There
It wasn’t long ago that we thought it impossible to explore outer space. Sure, we knew enough about our own solar system, but new telescopes and bright minds kept upping their game, showing us just how vast the possibilities are. Come with us as we soar among the stars, exploring the strangest planets we’ve found up to this point.
1. HD 189733b
The name needs a little work, but that’s no reason to turn up your nose at this discovery. Average temperatures soar well past what we’re accustomed to (2,400 F), and the extreme heat causes molten glass to rain down. As if that wasn’t bad enough, the horrible winds make it blow sideways, so there’s really no escape.
NASA, ESA, M. Kornmesser on Wikimedia
2. Poltergeist
With a name like that, you know you’re in for something special. Its official name is PSR B1257+12 c, and though it’s not as catchy, it still strikes appropriate fear in scientists. This exoplanet is way too hostile for any real exploration, orbiting a so-called dead star. Its surface is covered in radiation, too.
3. WASP-12b
This exploanet still has a few million years left on its ticket—but that doesn’t mean it’s not losing mass at an alarming rate. This poor guy is so close to its sun that it’s losing mass at a rate of billions of tons per second.
4. 55 Cancri e
Well, that’s one way to propose to someone! You’ll never get your hands on these diamonds, but the immense pressure on its surface has essentially pressed its core into precious stone. Don’t even think about heading there, though…unless you can withstand 2,700 F temperatures.
NASA, ESA, CSA, R. Crawford (STScI) on Wikimedia
5. TrES-2b
Night owls, rejoice. This horrifying planet is the darkest around, reflecting less than 1% of any light that hits it. To put that into perspective, it’s less reflective than coal! Some scientists think that a red glow might emanate from its surface, but strangely, that doesn’t make us feel any better.
