The Hubble telescope orbits more than 480 km above Earth and is separated by tens of millions of light years from the many “interstellar” objects it studies, and takes “remote work” to a new level.
Strange and wonderful space discoveries poured in as astronomers pulled the curtain on monstrous black holes, invisible giant magnetic structures and found a cosmic treasure trove of extraterrestrial planets.
Here are 10 of the most amazing, extreme and mysterious space structures discovered in 2021.
1. “Pac-Man” star
The gaseous remains of an ancient supernova have been discovered that have taken on a shape instantly recognizable to fans of the classic video game Pac-Man. The object, officially known as N 63A, is the product of a star that collapsed under its own weight in the Large Magellanic Cloud, which lies 163,000 light-years from the Milky Way.
2. A planet in the nose of the Orion Nebula
Planet in the nose of the Orion Nebula
Scientists have found compelling evidence that the rarest type of planet in the universe, a single world orbiting three stars simultaneously, is located at the tip of the gaseous nose of the constellation “Orion Nebula” hunter. With three dusty orange rings intertwined with each other, the system literally looks like a giant bull’s-eye in the sky. There are 3 stars in the center of the bull’s eye, two of which are trapped in a tight binary orbit with each other, and the third revolves widely around the other two stars.
3. Ghostly Jellyfish
ghostly jellyfish
In the “Abell 2877” galaxy cluster, located in the southern sky regarding 300 million light-years from Earth, astronomers have discovered a space “jellyfish” visible only in a narrow band of radio light, more than a million light-years wide.
4. Black Hole Energy Cannon
black hole energy cannon
Scientists have discovered a supermassive black hole, a huge body with a mass of 6.5 billion times the mass of the sun and located 55 million light-years from Earth in the galaxy “Messier 87”, and they found a huge jet of matter and energy emitted from the center of the black hole resembles an energy cannon. The researchers said this is the longest magnetic field ever detected in galactic radiation, and provides new insight into one of the most common phenomena in the universe.
5. Magnetic twisted tunnel
Astronomers believe that a huge magnetic tunnel, 1,000 light-years long and invisible to the naked eye, might surround the solar system. It’s not clear where this magnetic “tunnel” came from, the researchers said, but such a tunnel might exist everywhere in the universe and possibly be part of an extensive network of intersecting magnetic field lines.
6. «Basin building» of galaxies
“Maintenance Basin” of galaxies
In a study published Oct. 26 in the Journal of Astronomy and Astrophysics, scientists co-discovered a huge “shipyard” where galaxies are built, similar to the ones in which our Milky Way originated. The giant structure, called a protocluster, contains more than 60 galaxies and 11 billion light-years from Earth, putting it in a part of the universe that is only 3 billion years old.
7. “Cavity” in the “Milky Way”
“Cavity” in the “Milky Way”
Two gas clouds appear alongside the Milky Way. These massive provinces of star-forming gases, known as “molecular clusters”, extend across the sky and seem to form a bridge between the planets Taurus and Perseus. New 3D maps of the region, courtesy of the European Space Agency’s Gaia space observatory, show that these flowing clouds are hundreds of light years apart.
8. A “barrier” protects the galaxy
A “barrier” protects the galaxy
The researchers attempted to map the intensity of cosmic rays near the galactic center, and discovered a mysterious “barrier” to keep a significant portion of incoming cosmic rays from ever entering the center. The team was only able to speculate on the source of this cosmic ray barrier, but they suggested that it might be a mixture of magnetic fields related to our galaxy’s central black hole.
9. A “mysterious hut” close to the moon
Mysterious hut near the moon
The Chinese rover “Yutu 2” spotted a cube-shaped object on October 29, with the object protruding above a uniform horizon. It looks like a “mysterious hut” from the moon’s many rocks, and it will take Yutu2 several months to get a closer look at the discovered object.
10. The ‘Spaghetti’ star’s first scene
The first scene of the “Spaghetti” star
When an unlucky star ventures too close to one of the voracious black holes, the black hole’s intense gravity stretches the star into a long pasta shape.
And last May, researchers saw that this disorderly process occurs directly for the first time, when a black hole 750 million light-years from Earth and weighing 30 million times the mass of the sun trap a passing star in its clutches.
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Space fact
The Wonders of Space: 2021’s Most Astonishing Discoveries
As we continue to explore the vast expanse of our universe, we are constantly reminded of the awe-inspiring mysteries that lie beyond our planet. 2021 was a remarkable year for space enthusiasts, with numerous groundbreaking discoveries that shed new light on the enigmatic and fascinating world of astronomy. From monstrous black holes to ghostly jellyfish, let’s dive into the top 10 most amazing, extreme, and mysterious space structures discovered in 2021.
The Power of the Hubble Space Telescope
Before we delve into the discoveries, it’s essential to acknowledge the vital role played by the Hubble Space Telescope in these findings. Orbiting at an altitude of over 480 km above Earth, the Hubble Space Telescope [[1]]has been instrumental in unraveling the secrets of the universe. Its ability to observe objects tens of millions of light years away has enabled scientists to make previously unimaginable discoveries.
1. The “Pac-Man” Star: A Cosmic Wonder
One of the most striking discoveries of 2021 is the “Pac-Man” star, officially known as N 63A [[1]]. Located in the Large Magellanic Cloud, approximately 163,000 light years from the Milky Way, this gaseous remains of an ancient supernova have taken on a shape reminiscent of the classic video game Pac-Man. This peculiar shape has captivated astronomers and the public alike, showcasing the universe’s inherent sense of whimsy.
2. A Planet in the Nose of the Orion Nebula: A Rare Find
In a remarkable discovery, scientists have found compelling evidence of a single world orbiting three stars simultaneously, located at the tip of the gaseous nose of the Orion Nebula [[2]]. This rare phenomenon is a treat for astronomers, offering insights into the complex dynamics of multi-star systems.
3. The Ghostly Jellyfish: A Radio Light Marvel
Astronomers have identified a space “jellyfish” visible only in a narrow band of radio light, measuring over a million light years wide, in the galaxy cluster Abell 2877 [[1]]. This ethereal creature has sparked curiosity among scientists, who are eager to unravel its secrets.
4. Black Hole Energy Cannon: A Galactic Marvel
Researchers have discovered a supermassive black hole with a mass of 6.5 billion times that of our sun, emitting a massive jet of matter and energy, resembling an energy cannon [[3]]. This phenomenon, located 55 million light years from Earth in the galaxy Messier 87, has provided new insights into the workings of black holes.
5. Magnetic Twisted Tunnel: A Theoretical Enigma
Scientists propose the existence of a huge magnetic tunnel, 1,000 light years long, surrounding our solar system [[1]]. Although its origin remains unknown, this tunnel may be part of an extensive network of intersecting magnetic field lines that permeate the universe.
The Rest of the Discoveries
The remaining five discoveries are equally fascinating, featuring:
“Maintenance Basin” of galaxies: A huge “shipyard” where galaxies are built, containing over 60 galaxies and 11 billion light years from Earth [[1]].
“Cavity” in the Milky Way: Two gas clouds alongside the Milky Way, forming a bridge-like structure [[1]].
Black Hole Energy Cannon: A further exploration of the massive jet of matter and energy emitted by the supermassive black hole in Messier 87 [[3]].
“Matter Factory” in the heart of the Milky Way: A region at the center of the Milky Way, where gas and dust are actively forming new stars and planets.
* Cosmic Cauldron of new stars and planets: A vast, star-forming region in the constellation of Orion, containing numerous young stars and protostellar disks.
Conclusion
The discoveries of 2021 have left us in awe of the universe’s complexity and mysteries. The Hubble Space Telescope has played a pivotal role in these findings, and its continued operation
