Since ancient times, man, peering into the endless cosmic expanses, tried to explain what is the Cosmos. Naturally, the first ideas about stars and planets were associated with religion and magic. This is reflected in the name of the planets.
Still carriers of Trypillian culture, 5,000 years BC already knew the concept of the universe, depicting it in the form of an infinite spiral. In large numbers, such “Universes” are found by archaeologists on the dishes of Trypillians and settlements, where spiral universes are lined with stone.
With the development of scientific knowledge, the piggy bank of ideas about the cosmos was replenished. Now we know a lot about planets, but at the same time, very little.
As in the distant past, and now looking into the sky, we are fascinated by its mystery and infinity. We will reveal in our story the features of some beautiful and amazing planets. First, we consider the objects of the solar system close to us, and then we make a space journey beyond it.
The beauty of most planets lies not only in appearance, but also in special properties that fundamentally distinguish them from other objects of the Galaxy. And we can see and appreciate this beauty only in photographs, drawings of artists, according to the conclusions of scientists or with the help of heavy-duty equipment.
He said, “Let's go!” ... We begin the space journey and consider the most beautiful planets.
1
Mercury
The planet closest to the Sun is also the fastest in the solar system. The speed of its orbit is 47 km per second. Because Mercury and received the name of the god of commerce, fast, small and nimble.
Mercury can be observed from the Earth, but it is not easy to find, since the planet from the Earth has a very low angular distance to the Sun.
In the photo: Comparative dimensions of the Earth and Mercury.
In general, the Sun is very active in Mercury. There are very sharp temperature drops on the planet, a loose surface conducts heat very poorly.
Recently, scientists say that the surface of the planet may contain ice. Perhaps the ice is concentrated at the poles, in deep craters, where the sun's rays do not look.
Interesting fact: Despite the fact that Mercury is the first planet from the Sun, and the Earth is only the third, scientists have calculated that it is the planet closest to the Earth, since most of the time it is closer to us than Venus.
2
Venus
A planet bearing the name of the Roman goddess of love cannot be ugly.
We clearly see the beauty of Venus from the surface of the Earth, as it is the third brightest object after the Sun and Moon in our horizon. Even with the simplest telescope, one can observe changes on the surface of the planet. The first to examine it in this way was Galileo in 1610.
But the Russian scientist Mikhail Lomonosov was the first to discover the existence of the atmosphere on Venus. He saw a glow over the planet during the passage of Venus through the solar disk on June 6, 1761.
In the photo: Comparative sizes of the Earth and Venus.
Venus is alone in the solar system, as is Mercury. She has no satellites. But in literature, Venus takes the second place after Mars by reference in fiction.
In size, composition and distance from the Sun, this planet is very reminiscent of the Earth. But, being on Venus, it is very difficult to notice similarities with the Earth. The planet has a very dense sulfur atmosphere, such that atm. surface pressure is 92 times higher than on Earth. The greenhouse effect on Venus warmed its surface to 467 ° C, and the temperature difference at the equator and at the poles does not exceed 2 ° C.
3
Earth
Blue planet, World, Terra, as you want, call our common home. The only known object in the universe that is inhabited by living organisms.
But let's hope this is temporary. People and everything on the planet travels through space at a speed of 29.783 km / s. And in 365 days the Earth wraps around its nearest star - the Sun.
Planet Earth, as scientists have found, formed 4.54 billion years ago, and 30 million years after our planet found its place in space, life was born on it.
We all know that our home planet contains countless beautiful corners. But even from space, the Earth is amazingly beautiful. See how beautiful our planets are from space. Before you is the very first photograph in which the illuminated Earth has fully entered the frame. The photo was taken on December 7, 1972 by the crew of the Apollo 17 ship.
Flying into space and photographing the planet confirmed that the Earth is the most beautiful planet in the universe. But we go further on a big journey.
4
Mars
Due to iron oxide on the surface of Mars, this object of the solar system is also called the Red Planet. Mars was named in honor of the Roman God of war, and the moons of the planet Phobos and Deimos from ancient Greek are translated as “fear” and “horror”.
Mars is half the size of the Earth and moves in its orbit at a speed of just over 24 km / s.
There is a rarefied atmosphere on the planet, consisting mainly of carbon dioxide. On the surface there are dark and bright areas. The bizarre forms of craters, rocks and canals, riverbeds often become the subject of debate about who could create these objects, because Mars has long been considered a planet where life may exist.
In the photo: Comparative sizes of the Earth and Mars.
The beautiful appearance of Mars varies depending on the time of year. In winter, polar white caps appear, consisting of frozen carbon dioxide. During these periods, the planet brightens. In the spring, the size of white fields decreases and Mars becomes dark.
It is noteworthy that Mars was and remains a space object, in relation to which programs are being developed to launch a person to it. Most-beauty hopes for a speedy successful human flight to Mars.
5
Jupiter
In the photo: Comparative sizes of Jupiter and the Earth.
Jupiter is significantly different in size from the rest of the planets of the Solar System. Its mass is more than 2 times the mass of all known planets of the Solar System combined.
This giant has its own special beauty. Huge hurricanes on the surface of the planet form bizarre spots of various colors. In addition, colorful stripes are clearly visible on the surface of Jupiter, the nature of which is still the subject of controversy among scientists.
In the photo: Jupiter’s big red spot.
Some atmospheric phenomena have been observed in Jupiter for several tens or even hundreds of years. For example, a vortex called the Great Red Spot has been known to mankind for over 350 years. Some of these spots change their color over time. The spectacle is truly amazing.
We recommend watching a great high-resolution video about Jupiter:
6
Saturn
In the photo: Comparative sizes of Saturn and the Earth.
Saturn, original in its structure, is the sixth planet from the Sun. It consists entirely of gases, mainly hydrogen and helium, and, according to scientists, does not have a solid surface.
Saturn's decoration, of course, is its rings. Of the four gas giants in space known to science, Saturn has the most noticeable rings. Thanks to the Cassini spacecraft, we can admire high-quality photographs of Saturn and its rings.
What distinguishes this planet from others is the aurora at one of the poles, most recently discovered by British astronomers.
Below you will see our recommended video about Saturn, which will give you the most relevant information about this celestial object.
7
Pluto
Oddly enough, Pluto is the largest dwarf planet in the solar system. The surface area of this trans-Neptune facility is 17.7 million km².
Pluto, like its prototype of Greek and Roman mythology, is harsh and courageous. The planet is mainly composed of stone and ice.
Interestingly, but gliding in orbit, Pluto is either approaching or moving away from the Sun. Approaching a star at a distance of 29.7 astronomical units, it becomes closer to the Sun closer to Neptune.
As for the future of Pluto, the increasing activity of the Sun can create the conditions for the emergence of life on this planet. But this can happen in 1.1 billion years.
In the photo: Comparative sizes of Pluto and the Earth.
In 2006, according to new requirements, the Dodger drops out of the number of planets due to its small mass. But many countries have decided to always consider Pluto as the planet of the solar system.
In the summer of 2015, the New Horizons automatic interplanetary station approached 12,500 km to Pluto, transmitting high-quality images of this distant object to the ground for the first time. This allowed all people to enjoy the beauty of this planet and gave scientists a lot of material for analysis.
We pass from the planets of the solar system to exoplanets.
8
Epsilon eridani b
The planet from the constellation Eridanus, like Jupiter, also has gas and dust rings. Epsilon Eridanus orbiting in a very elongated orbit around a large star.
In 2006, it was finally confirmed that the planet has two asteroid belts, consisting of rock and metal debris left over from the early stages of planet formation. It is hard to imagine this, but the spectacle is probably spectacular.
By earthly standards, the year on this planet lasts 2,500 days, and it is located at a distance of 10.5 light years from us. According to recent reports, this planet is the closest known exoplanet to the solar system.
Perhaps the final stage of its final formation is still taking place on it.
9
CoRoT-7b
In the photo: Comparative dimensions of CoRoT-7b and Earth.
This unusual planet has an amazing structure, on one side it has a rocky surface, on the other - a large lava ocean. You can only imagine this fantastic and unusual landscape of the planet CoRoT-7b.
Permanent volcanic eruptions occur on CoRoT-7b. Like mythical titans, it scatters huge stones on its rocky surface.
The temperature on the planet, which is in the constellation Unicorn, reaches 2,500–2,600 ° C. Another amazing feature of this planet is the shortest year. Around his luminary, the planet CoRoT-7b turns around in 20 hours.
10
OGLE-2005-BLG-390L b
The planet, which is located in the beautiful constellation Scorpio, is by far the coldest and most distant from the solar system among astronomers found.
Due to the fact that OGLE-2005-BLG-390L b rotates around a red dwarf, the temperature on the surface of the planet is -220 ° C. And the distance to it is even hard to imagine in our imagination - 28,000 light years.
A mysterious and distant planet was discovered in 2006 using gravitational microlensing. Scientists have calculated that there is such a planet in this place of the Universe, it is impossible to see it through a telescope.
11
Wasp-12b
From the coldest to the hottest planet outside the solar system. The temperature on the WASP-12b is approximately 2,200 ° C.
It rotates around its star in just 24 hours, that is, a year on WASP-12b is equal to Earth day.
The scientists attribute the unique properties of the planet to the fact that it exchanges matter with a star around which it rotates. Previously, only binary stars had this property. Planet WASP-12b is the only planet in this plan in Space. But this process is fatal for her, after about 10 million years, WASP-12b will be completely absorbed by its star.
By the way, at most-beauty you will also find an interesting article about the most beautiful and unusual stars in the Universe.
12
CoKu Tau / 4
Artistic performance of CoKu Tau / 4.
The youngest of the known planets CoKu Tau / 4 is located in the constellation Taurus. The age of the exoplanet is 1 million years. While the Neanderthal began to develop the earth, this planet was just formed.
The distance from Earth to CoKu Tau / 4 is 420 light years. The beauty of the planet gives a dust disk. In the very center of the disk, the diameter of which is 10 times the diameter of the orbit of our planet, is the “young” CoKu Tau / 4.
Interestingly, not the planet’s gravitational field holds a huge dust ring, but the influence of other stars. A planet, one of four found that have a similarly beautiful shape.
13
HD 188753 A b
Artistic vision of a planet from satellite HD 188753 A b.
The unique triple star system in outer space is located in the constellation Cygnus. Simplistically, the system is called the "planet of the three suns."
The stellar system consists of three stars, which are located at a distance approximately like from the Sun to Saturn. One star is a yellow dwarf, the second is an orange dwarf, and the third is a red dwarf.
Scientists do not yet confirm the exact existence of the planetary system, but among the people, by analogy with Star Wars, the name Tatooine was assigned to HD 188753 A b.
Presumably, HD 188753 A b belongs to the type of hot gas giants, and revolves around the main star of a mysterious planetary complex in 3.5 days. Imagine what sunrises and sunsets on this planet! Probably indescribable beauty. But most likely there will be absolutely no nights in the usual sense.
14
Tres-4
In the photo: Comparative sizes of TrES-4 and Jupiter.
TrES-4 is one of the most mysterious planets. It is removed from the earth at a distance of 1,600 light years.
The planet enters into a binary system and is gravitationally connected with another large star. A fairly common phenomenon in space.
The density of TrES-4 is very low and is referred to as the so-called loose planets. Its mass is 1.7 times that of Jupiter.
In 3.5 days, hot Jupiter, as they call this planet, revolves around its mother star.
The beauty of the planet is that due to strong heating it loses part of its atmosphere and a tail, similar to a comet, stretches behind it in space.
15
HD 209,458 b (Osiris)
This planet, like the previous TrES-4, is an evaporating planet. It revolves around a star at a very close distance of less than 5 million km, which is more than 10 times closer than the distance between the planet Mercury and the Sun.
The diameter of the planet is almost one and a half times the diameter of Jupiter, although it is lighter than the latter. Surprisingly, every second, HD 209458 b loses millions of tons of matter, which it carries into a stellar system in a huge loop.
16
Methuselah (PSR B1620−26 b)
Artistic vision of the planet PSR B1620−26 b.
The planet PSR B1620−26 b, located in the constellation Scorpio, is by far the oldest planet in the galaxy. Scientists determine her age at 12.7 billion years.
Unique, but Methuselah does not revolve around one, but around two stars at once - a pulsar and a white dwarf. The planet completes a full revolution in 6 earth months. It is interesting how this system was formed, because as a result of a super-explosion in which a pulsar is formed, the nearest objects with the star would be destroyed.
Drifting in a globular cluster, these three space objects are approaching the center of the M4 cluster. Scientists suggest that in the future, because of this movement, the planet is waiting for new cosmic disasters and we will learn about the appearance of new planets in the field of the constellation Scorpio.
17
Gliese 581 c
Artistic Vision Gliese 581 c.
By its parameters and, as scientists model, by its conditions this planet is very similar to our beloved Earth.
Almost everything is similar: the orbit, size, and its remoteness of 20 light years brings it into the orbital zone. So in the future, man will be able to send interplanetary spacecraft to her.
It is noteworthy that the planet Gliese 581 c is in the zone of life and it is likely that water may be present on it. And as we know from the experience of the Earth, water is an indispensable condition for the origin of life.
18
TrES-2b
In the photo: Comparative sizes of TrES-2b and Jupiter.
Due to the fact that the surface of TrES-2b reflects only 1% of the light of the nearest star, it is considered the blackest planet known in space today.
Despite this, the black gas giant TrES-2b is quite hot. The planet’s atmosphere is over 980 ° C. TrES-2b is located 750 light-years from Earth.
Despite its “blackness", TrES-2b has a beautiful appearance and probably looks like the planet of our solar system - Jupiter.
19
1SWASP J1407 b
Artistic Image 1SWASP J1407 b.
Having discovered the planet in 2012, scientists have not decided which category of objects to include 1SWASP J1407 b. To the gas giants or the brown dwarf. For a planet this object is quite large, but for a star, on the contrary, it is not too large. And since we are talking about planets today, let's temporarily rank 1SWASP J1407 b as planets.
This is the only planet known to date, which revolves around the star 1SWASP J140747.93-394542.6.
She is beautiful with her ring system. This is the largest known ring system in the universe. The diameter of the largest ring is approximately 90 million km, which is slightly more than half the distance from the Earth to the Sun and 200 times larger than the largest ring of Saturn.
Such planets are of great interest to the scientific community for studies of the formation of natural satellites of planets and new gas giants in outer space.
20
Gliese 436 b
In the photo: Artistic presentation Gliese-436-b.
One of the most amazing planets outside our solar system. The beautiful and unique Gliese 436 b is comfortably located in the constellation Leo.
The uniqueness of the planet is that its surface consists of water. But at a temperature of 300 ° C, because of the very high pressure, water crystallizes and its condition is called by scientists “hot ice”.
A huge hydrogen tail stretches out from the hot ice behind the planet, which gives it romance in a bottomless outer space.
21
55 Cancer e
In the photo: Artistic representation of the 55th cancer.
Beautiful 55 Cancer e, according to scientists, is 8 times heavier than Earth. The proximity to its star allows the planet to make an orbital revolution in 17.5 hours.
But the uniqueness and beauty of the planet 55 Cancer e in its structure. The main element on it is carbon, which means that most of the planet consists of crystalline diamonds. Therefore, it is not only a beautiful, but also a very expensive planet.
🌝
Conclusion
Imprisoned in the four walls of apartments and houses, it is difficult to imagine that the Universe is limitless. And since it is unlimited, it means that the probability that we are not alone in the vastness of the Cosmos is unlimited. One thing, and in a good way, excites and worries who is the first to discover whom, we are other civilizations or they are us.
Like the planets of our solar system, exoplanets are diverse in structure and surface topography, the method of formation and even the nature of behavior in outer space.
Every year, scientists discover new objects, processes and phenomena in space. Many secrets are open, and how many more amazing clues are waiting for Mankind to come. The editors of most-beauty are waiting for your comments on the topic!
Co-author: Alexey Shcherbakov