10 of the biggest — and smallest — scientific mysteries!
Mysteries
*Unanswered Mysteries in Science**
In March 2021, Vox launched Unexplainable, a podcast focused on unanswered questions in science. Over 100 episodes, it has explored mysteries that range from the cosmos to our homes.
**Biggest Mysteries:**
1. **What is the universe made of?** Despite galaxies and stars, most of the matter is unseeable, called dark matter, which remains an enigma. Dark matter makes up a significant portion of the universe, but scientists still haven't figured out its composition. They've been searching for decades, but the nature of dark matter continues to elude us. How might they find it? This ongoing quest for dark matter holds the key to understanding the fundamental structure of the universe, making it one of the grandest puzzles in modern science.
2. **How will everything end?** The expanding universe hints at a beginning and a mysterious end. In the early 1900s, Henrietta Leavitt's discovery of how to measure the distance to certain stars led to the realization that our universe is expanding. The concept of a Big Bang became widely accepted. This prompted the question: How will it all end? Will the universe continue to expand forever or eventually contract into a Big Crunch? The fate of the universe is one of those big mysteries that could shape our understanding of existence.
3. **Where does our moon come from?** Rocks from the moon tell a different story than what scientists initially believed. Before the moon landings, scientists thought they knew how the moon came into existence. However, when Apollo astronauts brought back samples from the lunar surface, they discovered a different narrative. Anorthosite, a unique rock on the moon, suggested an epic cataclysm, but the exact details remained elusive. Understanding the moon's formation is crucial, not just for lunar science but also to gain insights into the early solar system's dynamics.
4. **How did life start on Earth?** The origins of life on Earth remain a profound mystery. Scientists have been trying to recreate the conditions of early Earth in laboratories to understand how life first emerged. While they've achieved some significant milestones, like synthesizing amino acids and forming RNA molecules, creating life in a lab remains a challenge. Unlocking the secret of life's origin could revolutionize our understanding of biology and even hint at the potential for life elsewhere in the universe.
5. **What killed Venus?** Understanding why Venus turned into a hellish planet presents a puzzling question. Venus, once thought to be Earth's sibling, has transformed into a scorching hellscape. Its extreme heat, acidic clouds, and volcanic landscapes are a stark contrast to Earth's habitable conditions. Scientists debate whether the sun or volcanic activity played a role in this transformation. The answer could provide insights into Earth's own future and the potential fate of habitable planets.
**Small and Surprising Mysteries:**
1. **What insects live in our homes?** Studies reveal that homes are ecosystems for numerous insect species, raising questions about their presence. Scientists were surprised to find that the average home hosts around 100 species of insects. These creatures thrive in our living spaces, provoking curiosity about their roles and interactions in our homes. Understanding this micro-ecosystem could lead to insights into cohabitation with these tiny roommates.
2. **Can plants see?** How plants mimic their surroundings, despite lacking eyes and brains, is a baffling question. Scientists have discovered plants capable of mimicking other plants. This poses a unique mystery: How do plants "see" and respond to their environment without traditional sensory organs? Unraveling this enigma could redefine our understanding of plant behavior and capabilities.
3. **How fast can a sprinter start a race?** The fastest possible start in a sprinting race remains unknown. The rules for sprinting are precise, including disqualifications for false starts. However, the definition of a "false start" and the fastest possible reaction time for a human sprinter are not fully understood. Research in this area could improve sprinting performance and redefine athletic limits.
4. **What is ball lightning?** Mysterious spheres of light that appear during thunderstorms have puzzled scientists for ages. Ball lightning, a phenomenon witnessed during thunderstorms, continues to elude scientific explanation. It manifests as glowing orbs that defy conventional understanding of lightning and atmospheric phenomena. Unraveling the nature of ball lightning could provide insights into the mysteries of atmospheric electricity.
5. **Why do we have anuses — or butts?** The evolutionary history of anuses and the unique size of the human butt pose questions without clear answers. The appearance of the anus was a pivotal moment in animal evolution, allowing for more efficient digestion. However, the precise evolutionary origins of anuses and why the human butt is comparatively large remain shrouded in mystery. Investigating these questions could shed light on the evolution of complex biological systems.
These mysteries remind us that even with scientific progress, our world is still beautifully haunted by questions. The more we discover, the more we realize how much we have yet to uncover. As we venture further into the unknown, these unanswered questions continue to drive scientific exploration and spark our curiosity about the mysteries that surround us.
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