Some mind-blowing discoveries about the cosmos since Kepler’s launch

Significant advancements have been made in space exploration since the launch of the Kepler telescope way back in 2009. Kepler’s primary assignment is to search for habitable planets beyond our solar system, and its extraordinary competences allow it to identify over 1,000 new planets at once. This powerful tool has ominously expanded our knowledge of the universe, leading to radical theories that seemed unconceivable only a few years ago. Hope of bumping into alien life in near future has also been enhanced manifolds. Following are some astonishing recent discoveries about the cosmos that will really challenge your perception of reality.

Lightning in space

Lightning has been witnessed not just on Earth but also on planets like Mars and Saturn, and even in deep space. A powerful lightning incident detected near Galaxy 3C303 was credited to the intense magnetic fields of black holes, showcasing the astounding and violent nature of space phenomena far from any planet’s atmosphere.

A Diamond planet

Planet PSR J1719-1438 b, positioned far outside our solar system, is made largely of crystalline carbon, the same material contained in diamonds. This planet possibly formed from a cooling star and presents a unique specimen of cosmic diversity, indicating that planets can have bewildering and dazzling compositions.

Water found on Mars

Discovery of flowing liquid water on Mars by NASA in 2015 represents a significant breakthrough. The water, observed flowing down Martian slopes during warmer periods, freezes when temperatures drip. The presence of water suggests that Mars could potentially support, or may have supported, simple life forms.

Invisible black holes

Black holes, a theoretical concept for long, have of late been confirmed through detection methods. Although black holes themselves are not visible as they trap light, scientists have detected them through gravitational waves and bustle near their event horizons, substantiating their existence despite their elusive nature.

The Universe’s vastness

Our understanding of the cosmos has expanded dramatically. The Milky Way alone is believed to have about 40 billion potentially habitable planets. With predictions suggesting up to 200 billion galaxies in the cosmos, the cosmos’s scale is staggering. The likelihood of Earth being the only planet with intelligent life is estimated at 1 in six sextillion.

Mysterious lights on ceres

Ceres, a dwarf planet positioned between Mars and Jupiter, has two bright spots in one of its craters that have spawned various theories. While some suggest these could be salt deposits or ice volcanoes, others speculate they might be in fact artificial lights. NASA plans to examine these features more closely to reveal their true nature.

Hope of potential discovery of alien life by 2040

Advancements from influential telescopes like Kepler suggest that we may discover intelligent alien life as soon as 2040. While finding extraterrestrial civilizations seems increasingly plausible, reaching them remains a distant dream due to the vast distances involved. For instance, reaching Alpha Centauri would take over 165,000 years with current technology. While direct travel is improbable, detecting and communicating with distant intelligent life could become realizable through advanced techniques.