planets

Perhaps the most mind blowing fact about the size of the universe is that the universe doesn't have one size, instead it's just that the universe is literal size. It's also wild to think about the fact that we can see the light from a galaxy that existed long before homo sapiens did. Taking a minute to step outside the mental carousel of juggling our daily obligations and life problems, and to stare up at space to appreciate the beautiful insignificance of it all in the grand expanse of the universe, can work wonders for keeping the ego in check. 

If you're ever feeling overwhelmed, or going through something that seems too big to handle, sometimes it's good to be reminded of our place in the universe. Earth may seem huge, but in reality, it's just a tiny speck in the Milky Way. Which itself is a speck amongst millions of other galaxies. These pictures show just how small Earth really is, not only compared to the other planets, but also the rest of the universe.

One internet artist gave us a real perspective at what the planets would look like if they were as close as the moon. Can you imagine taking a selfie with Saturn in the background? Or taking a SpaceX weekend ride to Pluto? Whatever the case these visuals are simply incredible.

Space is an interesting place, but it can be hard to wrap your head around some of those out-of-this-world concepts. So what better way to learn facts about space than with GIFs? Here are six interesting and educational GIFs made from videos by Dr James O'Donoghue, a planetary scientist based at the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). Enjoy learning, space cadets. Want to learn more? Check out this article about how the new Mac Pro isn't good at grating cheese. 

A group of international researchers and scientists have shed light on one of the central mysteries of solar physics: how energy and heat from the Sun is transferred to the Sun's upper atmosphere, heating it to more than 1 million degrees Farenheit - temperatures that are hotter than the Sun's surface. 

With new images taken in granular detail by the New Jersey Institute of Technology's Big Bear Solar Observatory (BBSO), the researchers discovered that jets of magnetized plasma (spicules) spurt like geysers from the sun's upper atmosphere into the corona (the outermost part of the Sun's atmosphere). These spicules are between 125 and 310 miles wide and erupt continuously across the Sun's surface. Images of the jets also shows how they are made and the paths they travel (at 62 miles per second).

The corona is invisible to the human eye and the source of the mechanisms has been a confounding mystery for astrophysicists - until now. The GIFs below show granular details of the new images taken by the Big Bear Solar Observatory. 

This one is destined to set the internet (of flat-earther's) ablaze with controversy. 

When you start thinking about your life in the grand scheme of things, nothing truly matters because we're all just tiny specks of dust existing on a stupid little rock that's floating in circles around a slightly bigger rock that happens to be on fire. Anyway, ignore that existential bit and enjoy some fascinating nerdy facts about space!

Who doesn't love a good GIF? I know I do, especially if it's jam packed with interesting things to get my mind thinking. Check out the twelve most interesting GIFs from r/damnthatsinteresting for past week and prepare to have your little brain overflow with interesting things. 

Real planets have curves. Here we are again, Flat Earthers. How will they go about contesting this, and pulling up some sort of counterargument, out of thin air? Your guess is as good as ours, but rest assured, it'll happen. You can find the rest of the video, where these images were sourced from over here.

Attentions nerds! Do you love chemistry? Or maybe you're more of an astronomy-enthusiast. Either way, we've got your science-y needs covered!

Attentions nerds! Do you love chemistry? Or maybe you're more of an astronomy-enthusiast. Either way, we've got your science-y needs covered!

This one is destined to set the internet (of flat-earther's) ablaze with controversy. 

The universe is enormous and terrifying. There are too many things to know and this is only a small amount of those things. 

We're still upset about Pluto.