5 most astonishing disclosures of the ten years

The past decade has unequivocally been a period of remarkable scientific exploration. Researchers from various disciplines have tested hypotheses, unearthed proofs, and visited locations that have challenged our comprehension not only of our own planet but of the entire universe. During this era, we have made significant strides in understanding one of humanity's greatest challenges, and our knowledge about some of the most formidable entities in existence has expanded significantly. Let's now delve into five of the most astounding scientific revelations from the 2000s.

Number 5: Pluto - Despite being stripped of its full planetary status in 2006, the same year marked the launch of the New Horizons spacecraft destined for the farthest corners of our solar system to study the dwarf planet. In July 2015, the spacecraft finally reached its destination, and the data and images it transmitted back were truly astonishing. Far from being a dull, frozen rock, Pluto revealed itself to have dynamic glaciers, floating ice mountains, and an expansive frozen sea made of solid nitrogen. The ice constantly moves, albeit at a gradual pace, as it is warmed by the pressure above, causing it to rise. This perpetual replenishment results in surface structures that defied previous expectations and granted us a new understanding of these enigmatic dwarf planets at the solar system's edge.

Number 4: The Higgs Boson - The discovery of the elusive Higgs boson, also known as the "god particle," was a monumental achievement that required the construction of the world's largest machine, the Large Hadron Collider in CERN, Switzerland. The Higgs boson had been theorized since 1964 and holds immense significance in the subatomic world, as it explains the existence of mass in objects. Interacting with other particles within the Higgs field, it plays a crucial role in our comprehension of the standard model of physics, which includes particles like electrons, protons, muons, and quarks. This discovery marked the confirmation of the last unknown component of the standard model, opening doors to investigate even more bizarre phenomena.

Number 3: Kepler - For millennia, humans have gazed at the heavens, pondering the existence of stars and planets. However, as technology advanced and astronomical devices were invented, we began to discover countless stars throughout the universe and planets within our solar system. Still, the prevalence of planets orbiting other stars remained a mystery. All that changed in 2009 with the launch of the Kepler probe. By studying distant stars and observing fluctuations in their brightness, we could determine the presence of orbiting objects. The results surpassed expectations, leading to the discovery of over 4055 exoplanets, some of which may be habitable. As we enter a new decade, the universe's exoplanetary diversity continues to captivate our imagination.

Number 2: Climate Change - The Earth's climate has undergone significant fluctuations throughout its history. However, what sets the recent changes apart is their link to human activities. The last decade provided irrefutable evidence of how human behavior impacts the planet. From Greenland losing 400 billion tons of ice in 2012 to Antarctica losing over 252 billion tons annually, the consequences are evident. Sea levels are predicted to rise by 3 feet by 2100, directly affecting millions of lives. Human activity has also led to the endangerment of numerous species, including 40% of all amphibians, over 33% of marine mammals, and 10% of insect species. The gravity of the problem became clear during the last decade, and our hope is that the next will bring viable solutions.

Number 1: Black Holes - Long considered some of the most enigmatic entities in the universe, black holes have revealed their secrets to dedicated researchers. Formed from the remnants of massive stars, they create incredibly dense structures due to the collapse of material. The intense gravity around black holes leads to unusual phenomena, as demonstrated by the detection of gravitational waves resulting from two black holes colliding in 2016, confirming Einstein's 1916 prediction. Moreover, the event horizon telescope captured the first-ever image of a supermassive black hole at the center of the Messier 87 galaxy, located 54 million light-years away. With a mass equivalent to 6.5 billion suns, these gargantuan black holes exert gravitational influence on billions of stars in their galactic surroundings. The discoveries surrounding black holes during the 2010s have been truly astounding, and we eagerly anticipate what further revelations await us in the future.

In conclusion, the last decade was an incredible period of scientific advancement, granting us new insights into the world and universe around us. The discoveries made have expanded our understanding and sparked our curiosity for what lies ahead in the next decade. Thank you for reading this article, and until next time!