- There are billions of galaxies in the universe.
Scientists used to think there were fewer galaxies than there are.
- There is water outside of Earth.
There are water molecules on the Moon, Mars, and other planets far away. This makes it more likely that life exists somewhere else.
- You Can Take Photos of Black Holes
For the first time in history, scientists took photographs of black holes, which proved predictions made more than 100 years ago.
- The universe is expanding more quickly than we expected it would.
New discoveries suggest that the universe is growing faster than it used to, which goes against everything scientists thought they knew about physics.
- There were lakes and rivers on Mars.
Scientists are increasingly interested in previous microbial life now that they have proof that Mars had flowing water on its surface.
- There are more planets outside of our solar system than there are stars.
It’s likely that most stars have planets, and a lot of them are around the same size as Earth and in places where life can live.
- There are waves of gravity.
Scientists detected ripples in space-time caused by big events in the universe, which backed up what Einstein said would happen.
- Asteroids have organic molecules in them.
Space probes have uncovered the building blocks of life on asteroids.
- Space Isn’t Always Quiet
Electromagnetic radiation lets scientists “hear” vibrations from stars and planets.
- People are making plans to go to Mars.
Space agencies have been getting ready to send people to regions outside of Earth for a long time.
Last thought: New things we find in space don’t just add to what we know; they also impact how we think about life.
