Space and it's wonders

The universe is not stagnant; it is constantly evolving and growing in all directions. Scientists discovered almost a century ago that it is expanding, and at an increasing rate. As a result, stars, planets, and galaxies are moving farther apart, leaving more space between them. This expansion should cause the universe to become colder, as it was much denser and hotter during the Big Bang. However, recent observations have shown that the universe is actually getting hotter. Cosmic gas temperatures have increased by over 10 times in the last 10 billion years, reaching temperatures of around 4 million degrees Fahrenheit. Gravitational force plays a role in pulling gas and dark matter together to create galaxies and clusters of galaxies, which results in chaotic and messy processes that heat up more gas. Scientists are monitoring this situation closely, measuring cosmic gases using redshift to track temperature changes.

Astronomers generally use a method to determine the distance of space objects based on their light wavelengths. Closer objects have shorter wavelengths, while farther objects have longer wavelengths. They are also able to determine the temperature of an object through its light. The universe is generally cold, with the only significant source of heat being the CMB (cosmic microwave background) left over from the Big Bang. However, there are smaller mechanisms that contribute to heating matter in the universe, such as radiation emitted by stars. Planetary structures are formed through early-stage radiation from stars, and collisions between dust and gas create planets. Galaxies have a few areas where stars are formed, surrounded by a bubble of ionized hydrogen, which is heated to thousands of degrees and turns atoms into ions.

The heating up of the universe could cause our sun to heat up as well, potentially reaching 30,000 Kelvin and ionizing previously ejected materials to create a planetary nebula. As the temperature rises, hydrogen ionizes, resulting in a pink hue for nebulae in our solar system. If the sun reaches 50,000 Kelvin, it could come to an end and emit eerie green tones due to doubly ionized oxygen. Higher energy phenomena, such as galaxy collisions, can result in x-ray emissions. Black holes and radiating neutron stars can shape entire galaxies. Mazers, or natural lasers, could become more prevalent in our universe. Cosmic radiation is getting stronger as the universe heats up, posing a potential risk to life on Earth. However, there is a possibility that in the distant future, the universe could support life at its early stages, as rocky planets formed after the first stars. Dust storms can be extreme on Mars, where temperatures can drop to -2220 Fahrenheit. Mars rovers must be equipped to withstand harsh conditions.

On June 3, 2003, a team of researchers prepared to launch a small and compact Lander called the Beagle 2 to Mars. The aim of the mission was to search for signs of life on the red planet. The Lander was supposed to touch down on December 25th, but the team never received the signal. Despite multiple attempts to contact the Lander, the team was unable to reach it. In 2015, NASA discovered what appeared to be the remains of the Beagle 2, lying three miles away from its intended landing site. The Lander's components were intact, but its radio antenna had become blocked, preventing it from communicating with Earth. Mars has been the subject of much fascination due to its unusual formations, such as the "face on Mars" and the "happy face crater." The planet also has a waffle-shaped island and blue Dunes, which are actually brown and orange but appear blue in false color images. One of Mars' most impressive features is Valles Marineris, a system of canyons 2,500 miles long that is over 10 times longer than the Grand Canyon. The largest valley on Mars could stretch from coast to coast of the United States if it were on Earth. Mars has a thin atmosphere with mostly carbon dioxide, but it was warmer and wetter in the past and had a powerful magnetic field similar to Earth's. Mars lost its magnetic field as its core cooled down, leaving the planet vulnerable to the solar wind, which stripped away most of its atmosphere. Despite its harsh conditions, Mars may have once supported life, and its glaciers could hold clues to its past. The planet's history is fascinating and could reveal more about the nature of our solar system.