Mind Blowing Facts they never taught you in school - Part 1 (Universe)
1. 99% Of species that have lived, are extinct today.
We have had life on Earth for about 4.5 billion years. Currently there are estimated to be somewhere between 30-50 million species on this planet. Now given that each species can only be expected to survive from around 0.5-5 million years, it is just mathematics that taken over 4.5 BILLION years, over 99% of all species that have ever lived are not around us anymore.
2. You want to start your own universe? Here's what you gotta do.
Do you have any idea how small a proton is? Hypothetical question. It is way too small for human imagination. It is a miniscule part of an atom which itself of course, is smaller than we can conceive. The full stop at the end of this sentence may have as many as five hundred thousand million protons.
The reason I’m telling you this is because you will need that proton to create your universe. Ready?
First, you have to shrink that proton. Yes, further. Further. Keep going. Ok this might take a while. Call me when you’ve shrunk it to a billionth of its normal size into a space so tiny that it would make the proton look monumental. Now take an ounce of matter and shove it into that little space you just created. Awesome! Your universe will start any moment now.
You might want to retire to a safe distance.
3. Want to peek from the edge of the universe to the other side? Yea.. I don't think so.
Ever wondered what it would feel like to reach the edge of the universe and take a peek through its curtains?
Yea can’t be done.
See the universe.., it bends. Even if you start flying from one end to another and no matter how many centuries you do that for, you’ll keep coming back to where you started from.
The comparison I'm about to make is no match to the vastness of the mighty universe, but just for the sake of understanding, you can imagine it as travelling the earth trying to look for its edge.
4. Just how big is the universe?
Light has traveled for 13.8 billion years. Which makes the diameter of the visible universe(if we consider earth to be the center of the universe. This is just to give you the idea of the distance. DO NOT Ever tell anybody that I told you Earth is the center of the universe. Because it isn't and becasue I didn't. Also because if you do, I will find you and I will make you sit through Ryan Reynold's Green Lantern. Thrice!) about 28 billion light years(Just a reminder; Light travels at a speed of 3000000000 metres per second. A light year is the distance that light covers in the course of a year). But don't be fooled, that is just the "visible" universe. The whole universe is far bigger than that.
I know I know, the best time to read this article is when you're having a superiority complex.
Take a look at this video, tiny human.
This article is referenced from Bill Bryson's book- A short history of nearly everything.
For more amazement!
- Mind Blowing Facts they never taught you in school - Part 6 (Microbes)
World of the terribly tiny. Let's dive in. - Mind Blowing Facts they never taught you in school- Part 5 (Water)
One of the most important elements of the Earth, crucial for our survival. Water. Or as the British call it, wotah. - Mind Blowing Facts they never taught you in school - Part 4 (Asteroids)
Hi again! Missed me? Well no more! Because I am back with another batch of stupendous marvelous glorious set of facts carefully handpicked for your enjoyment and knowledge. Let's begin! - Mind Blowing Facts they never taught you in school - Part 3 (Atom)
Subatomic particles. Atoms, protons, neutrons, electrons. Crazy facts. - Mind Blowing Facts they never taught you in school - Part 2 (Solar System)
Continuation of the list of fascinating facts. An effort to expand one's knowledge of the planet and the universe to a great extent and make them a hit in Sunday brunch and tea parties.
