“glass rain” and “scorched world”: the ten strangest planets in the universe (photo). The ten strangest planets (photos) The 10 strangest planets in the universe
Every day, NASA carefully studies the galaxy in search of new planets, stars and systems scattered throughout space. We have sent numerous probes into space, from Voyager 1 to Juno, designed to explore first our solar system and then go beyond it.
The Kepler spacecraft has discovered a large number of exoplanets that orbit stars other than our Sun. Because of this, many planets were named Kepler.
Even though we discover new planets every year, most of them are just cold pieces of rock orbiting unknown distant stars. But sometimes planets are discovered that are strange and unusual enough to cause awe even among famous astrophysicists. We have collected a selection of 10 such planets.
10. OGLE-2016-BLG-1195Lb. Planet Ice Ball
OGLE-2016-BLG-1195Lb is an icy planet located 13,000 light years from our solar system. The temperature on its surface ranges from -220 °C to -186 °C. Therefore, this planet is sometimes called an “ice ball”.
A light year is the distance that light travels in one year. The speed of light is almost 300,000 km/s and more than 1 billion km/h. Therefore, to see this huge ball of ice, you have to travel a long way.
It should be noted that the highest speed we are able to achieve today was achieved by the New Horizons space probe, launched in 2006 to explore Pluto, its moons and the Kuiper Belt. Then the device reached a speed of 58,000 km/h, which is far from the speed of light. Thus, we do not yet have the technology that would allow us to visit a neighboring system located only a few light years away.
That's why we use technologies that allow us to study distant stars and exoplanets at a distance, determine their mass and atmospheric composition. OGLE-2016-BLG-1195Lb was found using a microlensing technique that allows us to detect planets as they pass in front of their stars, and we can watch them dim for a while.
All ice on OGLE-2016-BLG-1195Lb is believed to consist of fresh water. This is good, although it is unlikely that we will be able to use this water in the future. If you travel at the speed of light, the journey to the exoplanet will take 13,000 years. However, it may be that this planet is already being used as a source of fresh water by some advanced alien race.
9. KELT-9b. Hot stuff
Photo: Robert Hurt/JPL/Caltech
KELT-9b is the hottest exoplanet ever discovered, and it's disappearing! At a distance of 650 light-years from us, KELT-9b is very close to its star. This means that one side of the planet is always facing the star, but the other is not.
The gas giant, about three times the size of our Jupiter, glows at a temperature of 4315 °C. This is much higher than the temperature of many stars and almost as hot as our Sun, which has a temperature of 5505 °C.
In a few million years, KELT-9b will burn up all its gases and disappear, leaving only its star alone.
8. GJ 1214b. Steamy water world
Photo: sci-news.com
GJ 1214b is a huge water world, three times the size of Earth and located 42 light years from our solar system. The mass of everything on the Earth's surface is 0.05% of its mass, and the mass of water from GJ 1214b is 10% of the planet's mass.
GJ 1214b is believed to have oceans that may be as deep as 1,600 km. For comparison, the deepest part of the ocean on our planet is the Mariana Trench, which is 11 km deep.
We've only been able to explore 5% of our oceans, and as a result we've discovered countless amazing creatures we never imagined. One can only imagine what terrible creatures lurk in the depths of the oceans on GJ 1214b.
7.PSR J1719-1438 b. Diamond Planet
Photo: futurism.com
PSR J1719-1438 b – a planet made of pure diamond! A large planet made of carbon, about five times the diameter of Earth, can be found 4,000 light-years from our solar system. Due to the enormous pressure caused by the gravitational forces of the planet, the carbon was greatly compressed and turned into a giant diamond.
This exoplanet orbits the millisecond pulsar PSR J1719-1438. Astronomers believe the pulsar was once a star that became a stellar corpse in a supernova. Rare millisecond pulsars typically form by consuming material from a nearby star.
In this case, the star was likely a white dwarf, like our Sun will become when it dies. A white dwarf is a remnant of a star that no longer has nuclear fuel. In this case, the pulsar used all the material from its white dwarf neighbor.
When the white dwarf had only 0.1% of its former mass left, it turned into an exotic crystalline “companion” of the pulsar - a diamond planet.
6. Kepler-16b. Real Tatooine
Kepler-16b is a real-life analogue of the planet from the Star Wars movie - Tatooine. This is because this planet is the only exoplanet ever discovered that orbits in a two-star system.
Kepler-16b has a mass of 105 Earth masses, and its radius is 8.5 times the radius of our planet. The atmosphere of this exoplanet consists of hydrogen, methane and a small amount of helium. Located about 200 light-years from our solar system, Kepler-16b completes an orbit around its two stars in 627 Earth years.
Although the planet resembles Tatooine, life on Kepler-16b is impossible. So don't expect any droids to be found there!
5. Kepler-10b. Scorched World
Photo: NASA/Kepler Mission/Dana Berry
Kepler-10b is the smallest exoplanet discovered to date, and its surface is believed to be covered in oceans of lava. Located 560 light-years from Earth, Kepler-10b was the first rocky planet found outside the solar system. This discovery was the first step of modern humanity towards the future exploration of deep space.
The temperature on the surface of the planet reaches 1400 °C. Under the influence of such high temperatures, rocks on the surface of the planet melt, unite into vast areas and turn into huge, scattered oceans scattered across the surface of the exoplanet. Due to the planet's high density, Kepler-10b is believed to contain a high percentage of iron, causing the lava to have a bright red hue.
4. TrES-2b. Dark Planet
Photo: NASA/JPL-Caltech/T. Pyle
TrES-2b is the darkest exoplanet ever discovered. It reflects less than 1% of the star's light falling on it. This makes it darker than jet black acrylic paint. In fact, the fact that we were able to discover this planet is a real miracle, since the light reflected from its surface is very poor.
This raises an important question: how many exoplanets remain undiscovered because they did not reflect enough light?
TrES-2b is located approximately 750 light-years from our Solar System. The planet's atmosphere contains vapors of sodium, potassium and titanium oxide, which absorb light. However, why the planet reflects so little light is still a mystery that may never be solved.
There may be an alien race living on this strange planet, but we just don't know about it.
3. HD 189733b. Planet with glass rains
Photo: ESO/M. Kornmesser
Perhaps one of the most interesting planets on our list, HD 189733b is located 63 light years from the solar system and is special because it rains glass. Slanting rains. Yes, you heard right, that's true. The hellish wind on the planet can reach speeds of 8,700 km/h, causing any strange ones to become oblique.
The atmosphere, saturated with silicon dioxide, causes the planet's clouds to shed liquid glass, which, falling to the surface, hardens. Wind HD 189733b carries glass across the planet at such a speed that the fragments fly horizontally, cutting everything in its path. Imagine what would happen to you if you found yourself in such a storm.
2.55 Cancri e. Planet with mysterious water
Photo: ESA/Hubble, M. Kornmesser
55 Cancri e is close to its sun, so the water on its surface is both liquid and gaseous. This orbiting planet is 25 times closer to its star than our Mercury is to the Sun. And one full revolution is completed in 18 hours. It's very fast.
Because 55 Cancri e is closely tied to its star, one side of it is constantly facing the sun, while the other is not. As a result, the water on the half facing the star is in a supercritical state, being both a liquid and a gas.
55 Cancri e has about 7.8 times the mass of Earth, and the planet is twice the size of Earth.
1. CoRoT-7b. Planet with rocky snowfalls
Photo: ESO/L. Calcada
CoRoT-7b is a strange exoplanet with rocky snowfalls. Like many other exoplanets, this one is tied to its star and located close to it. On the side facing the star, the temperature reaches 2200 °C, and on the other it drops to -220 °C.
The lava on the side of the star heats up and begins to evaporate, just like water on our planet. This creates large rock clouds, which then cool on the colder side of the planet, where it rains rocks. If they could survive the extreme temperature conditions of this planet, it would be interesting to see.
On the hot side of the planet, magma rains, but on the cold side, magma solidifies before it falls to the ground, just like snow on Earth. This kind of snow will undoubtedly kill you if you get caught in it.
Astronomers have been studying the planets of the solar system for many centuries. The first of them were discovered due to the unusual movement of some luminous bodies in the night sky, different from other, non-moving stars. The Greeks called them wanderers - “planan” in Greek.
The very complex nature of the entire planetary system was first pointed out by the famous Galileo, who, having examined Jupiter through a telescope, noticed how other celestial bodies revolved around this gas giant. The first planet located outside our solar system was discovered only in 1994.
The article presents some of the most unusual planets in the Universe.
General information
The alien world has not yet been fully explored and is mysterious. Dr. Alexander Wolschan observed unusual changes in the signal from the pulsar of the star Beta Pictoris. He proved the existence of several planets in orbit. After that, another 1,888 exoplanets were discovered, which radically changed astronomers’ ideas about space, about the methods of formation of celestial bodies, and even about the development of the Universe over more than 13 billion years.
There are planets in the Universe that are so unusual that they look more like science fiction than real celestial bodies.
Below are 10 unusual planets.
TrES-2b
Its other names are black hole planet or light-eating planet.
It is close in size to Jupiter. It is located about 750 light years away. This planet absorbs so much light that it is considered the darkest among the known objects of the Universe. It is a gas giant like Jupiter, but it reflects less than one percent of the light. Therefore, this celestial body is very dark and very difficult to detect. Yet it is a hot planet that gives off a reddish, dim glow.
HD 209458b
The planet Osiris is located in the constellation Pegasus at a distance of approximately 150 light years. It is also larger than Jupiter by about 30%. The orbit of Osiris is 1/8 the distance from the Sun to Mercury, and the Fahrenheit temperature on this planet is approximately 1832 degrees.
The pressure and heat of a gas planet cause the various gases contained in its atmosphere to evaporate violently, like air from a balloon. This unusual planet stunned astronomers.
HAT-P-1
It is larger than Uranus and seems to float in water. Thanks to this, it is classified as an unusual celestial body.
This is a recently discovered gas giant that is half the size of Jupiter. However, the planet looks unusual.
HD 106906 b
Among the most unusual planets (see photo below) is the charming HD 106906 b of the constellation Krax. It is the loneliest planet, located 300 light years from Earth. In size it is 11 times larger than Jupiter.
This is a real discovery of modern times. Despite its colossal size, it orbits its star at a distance 20 times greater than the distance between Neptune and the Sun, which is approximately 60,000,000,000 miles.
J1407 b and its rings
This unusual planet was discovered in 2012. The distance from Earth to it is 400 light years. The planet has its own system of rings, the dimensions of which are 200 times larger than Saturn.
The ring system is so large that if applied to Saturn, they would dominate Earth's sky. This planet is much larger than the full moon.
Methuselah
It is unusual in that it is about a billion years younger than the universe. It was believed that Methuselah's age could not be about 13 billion years due to the lack of materials in the Universe for its formation. And yet it is 3 times older than the Earth.
An unusual planet moves among the stars of the constellation Scorpio, bound together by gravity.
CoRoT-7b
This celestial body was the first rocky planet discovered in the orbit of another star. Astronomers speculate that it was once a giant gas planet like Saturn and Neptune, but that gas levels in the atmosphere dropped due to its close proximity to the star.
The planet always faces the star with one side, on which the temperature is 4000 degrees Fahrenheit. The other side is frozen (350F). All this explains the occurrence of stone rains.
Gliese 436 b
It is a burning ball of ice. This unusual planet is about the size of Neptune, but 20 times the size of Earth.
The temperature on this planet is 822 degrees Fahrenheit. Due to the fact that the hot ice on the planet is held by enormous gravitational forces, water molecules do not evaporate and do not leave the planet.
The young star Fomalhaut has such a wonderful name, along with the space debris surrounding it. All this together looks like a giant eye looking out from outer space. It is eternal and does not blink.
Space debris from rocks, ice and dust creates a giant disk around the eye, which is 2 times larger than the entire solar system.
55 Cancri
This Super-Earth planet was discovered in 2004. Its dimensions are 2 times larger than the Earth. Temperatures reach 3900 degrees Fahrenheit. The large, rocky planet is made mostly of carbon, transformed into graphite and diamond. Taking into account the current value of the diamond (according to market estimates), the value of the planet is $26.9 nonillions.
This richest object is located about 40 light years from planet Earth.
Every day, NASA explores the galaxy in search of new planets, stars and systems scattered throughout space. Humans have sent many probes into space, from Voyager 1 to Juno, tasked with first exploring the solar system and then going beyond it. The Kepler space observatory has discovered many exoplanets that orbit stars very different from our Sun.
Because of this, many planets are called Kepler. Although scientists find many new exoplanets every year, many of them are just cold chunks of rock orbiting distant, unknown stars. Sometimes, however, planets are discovered that are strange enough to interest even the most seasoned astrophysicist. Let us give examples of 10 such planets.
1. "Ice Ball"
planet OGLE-2016-BLG-1195Lb
An icy exoplanet found 13,000 light years from the solar system. The temperature on its surface ranges from -220 degrees Celsius to -186 degrees Celsius, which is why the planet is sometimes called a “ball of ice.” As you know, a light year is a measure of the relative distance that light travels in one year. Considering that the speed of light is almost 300,000 kilometers per second (1.08 billion km/h), you would have to travel a very long way to see such a giant ice ball. Until now, the fastest speed humans have achieved in space was recorded by New Horizons, a space probe launched in 2006 to explore Pluto, its moon and the Kuiper Belt.
New Horizons flies at more than 58,000 kilometers per hour, which is extremely far from the speed of light. Thus, humanity simply does not have the technology to visit even the closest system to the Sun, which is only a few light years away. OGLE-2016-BLG-1195Lb was discovered using microlensing, a process used to detect planets as they pass in front of their stars (which causes their light to dim). Interestingly, all the ice on OGLE-2016-BLG-1195Lb is considered to be fresh water.
2. "Hot Thing"
planet KELT-9b
The hottest exoplanet scientists have ever found, and it's slowly disappearing. Located 650 light-years from Earth, KELT-9b is located very close to its star, meaning that one side of it is constantly facing the star, while the other is not. This gas giant is about three times the size of Jupiter and is literally on fire (its temperature is 4315 degrees Celsius). This is hotter than most stars and almost reaches the surface temperature of the Sun (5505 degrees Celsius). After a few million years, KELT-9b will burn up all its gases and disappear.
3. "Evaporating Water World"
planet GJ 1214b
It is a huge "water world", three times the size of Earth, which can be found 42 light years from the solar system. All of Earth's water makes up 0.05 percent of its mass, and GJ 1214b's water makes up 10 percent of the planet's mass. It is assumed that GJ 1214b has oceans that can reach depths of up to 1,600 kilometers (recall that the deepest place on Earth is the Mariana Trench, which is 11 kilometers deep).
Humans have only explored about 5 percent of our oceans so far, and have already discovered countless amazing creatures they never knew existed. One can only imagine what horrors lie in the deep waters of GJ 1214b.
4. "Diamond"
planet PSR J1719-1438 b
A planet made of pure diamond. A large carbon planet with a diameter about five times larger than Earth is located about 4,000 light-years from the solar system. Due to the enormous pressure caused by the gravitational forces of the planet, the carbon was compressed, forming a giant diamond. This exoplanet orbits the millisecond pulsar PSR J1719-1438. Astronomers believe the pulsar was once a massive star that later became a "stellar corpse" after going supernova.
Such rare millisecond pulsars are thought to form in binary systems when a large star absorbs material from its companion. In this case, the companion star was likely a white dwarf, which is what our Sun will become when it dies. A white dwarf is a remnant that no longer has nuclear fuel. The millisecond pulsar PSR J1719-1438 “ate” its white dwarf companion, of which only 0.1 percent of its mass remained, after which the white dwarf turned into an exotic crystalline companion for the pulsar - a diamond planet.
5. "The Real Tatooine"
planet Kepler-16b
It is the real-life equivalent of the planet Tatooine from Star Wars. This is because Kepler-16b is one of the few exoplanets (at least those discovered by humans) that orbit in a binary star system. Kepler-16b has a mass 105 times that of Earth, and its size is 8.5 times larger than our “blue ball”.
This exoplanet has an atmosphere consisting of hydrogen, methane and small amounts of helium. Located approximately 200 light-years from the solar system, Kepler-16b completes its orbit around the two stars in 627 years. Although this planet may be similar to Tatooine, Kepler-16b cannot support life.
6. "Scorched World"
planet Kepler-10b
The smallest exoplanet discovered to date, and scientists believe its surface is covered in oceans of lava. Located approximately 560 light-years from Earth, Kepler-10b was the first rocky planet found outside the solar system. This became a significant step for humanity towards future space exploration. The temperature on the surface of the planet reaches 1400 degrees Celsius.
As a result, rocks on the surface melt and flow into vast oceans of lava. Due to the high density of this planet, Kepler-10b is believed to contain huge amounts of iron. And this leads to the fact that the lava on it should have a bright red hue.
7. "Dark"
planet TrES-2b
The darkest exoplanet discovered. It reflects less than 1 percent of the sunlight that hits it, making TrES-2b darker than jet black acrylic paint. In fact, it was truly a miracle that scientists were able to detect a planet whose light was so poor (by the way, this raises the important question of how many exoplanets scientists missed due to the lack of reflected light).
TrES-2b is located approximately 750 light years from the Solar System. Its atmosphere contains vapors of sodium, potassium and titanium oxide, which absorb light. However, it is still a mystery why the planet is so dark, and the mystery may never be solved.
8. "Glass Rain"
planet HD 189733b
This is perhaps one of the most interesting exoplanets on this list. It's raining glass on HD 189733b, which is 63 light-years from Earth. In this case, they run parallel to the surface. Yes, this is not a mistake: the wind on this hellish planet can reach a speed of 8,700 kilometers per hour, so the rains here essentially fly not down, but to the side. An atmosphere rich in silicon dioxide causes the planet's clouds to shed liquid glass, which solidifies as it falls to the surface. Wind HD 189733b carries glass through the atmosphere at such speeds that the fragments fly horizontally through the air, cutting everything in its path.
9. "Strange Water"
planet 55 Cancri e
It is close to its star, so the water on its surface is both liquid and gaseous. This exoplanet orbits 25 times closer to its star than Mercury is to the Sun, and completes its orbit in just 18 hours. It's very fast.
Because 55 Cancri e is so close to its star, one side of it is constantly facing the star, while the other is not. As a result, the water on the side facing the star is in a supercritical state, being both a liquid and a gas. 55 Cancri e has about 7.8 times the mass of Earth, and the planet is about twice the size of Earth.
10. “Stone Snowfall”
planet CoRoT-7b
It's a weird exoplanet because it snows with rocks. Like many other exoplanets, it is close to its star. The temperature on the side facing the sun reaches 2200 degrees Celsius, while on the opposite side it drops to -210 degrees Celsius. The lava on the side of the star heats up so much that it evaporates in the same way as water on our planet.
This creates large rock clouds that later condense on the relatively cooler side of the planet, where snow eventually falls from large rocks. On the hotter side it rains... only real molten lava.
Plitvice Lakes National Park was founded in 1949. It is the largest national park in Croatia, as well as the oldest park in South-Eastern Europe. More than a million visitors flock here to admire the beauty of the park. There are many waterfalls, caves and lakes here. The area is home to more than 100 bird species. Most of the park consists of beech and fir. The park is incredibly beautiful in winter, when the waterfalls freeze and everything is covered in white snow.
Fingal's Cave, Scotland
Named after the hero of an 18th century epic poem, Fingal's Cave has numerous geometric columns reminiscent of Ireland's Giant's Causeway. The cave is formed from hexagonally connected basalt columns created by solidified lava. This sea cave is located on the Isle of Staffa, which is part of Scotland. The high arched roof enhances the sound of the ocean. Although even small boats cannot enter the cave, many local companies offer tours of the area.
Ha Long Bay, Vietnam
The bay is located in the Gulf of Tonkin in the South China Sea. It includes more than 3,000 islands, as well as rocks, caves and cliffs, making it one of the most unusual places in the world. The bay is an extraordinary example of limestone erosion. The name Ha Long means "where the dragon descended into the sea." Due to its vertical nature, the archipelago is sparsely populated. Most of the islands are negligible, however, the largest ones have their own internal lakes. Ha Long Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Red Beach, Panjin, China
This place is perhaps far from the traditional understanding of the beach. Instead of endless expanses of sand, we see algae called sueda. Most of the year, these algae are green, but with the onset of autumn they turn a dark, cherry-red color. In addition to its whimsical colors, Red Beach is home to more than 260 species of birds and 399 species of animals. This makes it one of the most complex ecosystems in the world. It is also the largest swamp and wetland on Earth.
Giant's Causeway, Northern Ireland
Located next to the Atlantic Ocean, the Giant's Causeway or Giant's Causeway as it is also known is one of the strangest natural wonders. It consists of about 40,000 columns, most of which have six sides. These columns look remarkably like a honeycomb. The creation of this place from cooled magma took almost 60 million years. Scientists believe that it took its final form some 15,000 years ago after the last ice age.
Thermal springs, Pamukkale, Türkiye
Take a trip along the Aegean Sea and not far from the Menderes River you will find beautiful thermal springs. For many centuries, people have bathed in these hot, mineral-rich waters. Pools and frozen waterfalls form multi-level cliffs. In spring, the water is rich in calcium, magnesium and bicarbonate. The current in Pamukkale occurs at a speed of 400 liters per second and this flow constantly forms new small round pools.
Hvitserkur, Iceland
Some are sure that this rock has the appearance of a dinosaur, others say that it is a dragon, and still others claim that it is a monster. In any case, this natural formation arouses human interest. Every year thousands of people come to the north of the Vatnes Peninsula to look at this “dinosaur at a watering hole.” The rock has three holes and has been reinforced with concrete to prevent further erosion. Even in photographs, viewers can see the bird droppings that give the rock its name. Translated from Icelandic, the word Hvitserkur means white shirt.
Antelope Canyon, USA
This canyon is the most visited in the Southwestern United States. One look at the smooth, orange-red walls makes people delighted. Antelope Canyon was formed by a flash flood. Due to heavy rains, it continues to change its shape to this day. While scientists are not sure when people discovered this cave, local Navajo tribes say this surreal canyon has always been part of their history.
NASA meticulously explores the galaxy in search of new planets and stars scattered across this vast space. Many new celestial bodies are discovered every year, many of which are simply lifeless, cold formations orbiting distant stars. However, among these boring and cold blocks, a very unusual planet can sometimes be discovered.
1. OGLE-2016-BLG-1195Lb – Planet “Ice Ball”
This is an icy exoplanet at a distance of 13 thousand light years from our solar system. Its temperature ranges from -220 to -186 degrees Celsius, for which the planet was nicknamed the “Ice Ball”. You can get there in one year, provided you move at the speed of light. All ice on OGLE-2016-BLG-1195Lb is considered freshwater, but it is unlikely that humanity will be able to use this water in the foreseeable future.
2. KELT-9b – Hot Planet
This is the hottest exoplanet ever found. It is located 650 light years away from us, and it is “tied” to its star. The gas giant is about three times the size of Jupiter, and its temperature is almost 4315 degrees Celsius. For comparison, the temperature of the Sun is approximately 5505 degrees. In a few million years, KELT-9b will burn up all the gases and disappear, leaving its star alone.
3. GJ 1214b – Steamy Water World
GJ 1214b is a huge "water world" three times the size of Earth, located 42 light-years away. Earth's water makes up 0.05% of its mass, and GJ 1214b's water makes up 10%! It has been suggested that GJ 1214b has oceans up to 1600 km deep. By the way, the deepest ocean point on Earth (Mariana Trench) is only 11 km!
4. PSR J1719-1438 b – Diamond Planet
Yes, PSR J1719-1438 b is made of pure diamonds! It is a huge carbon planet with a diameter five times larger than Earth at a distance of about 4,000 light years. Due to the enormous pressure caused by the planet's gravity, the carbon compacted to form a giant diamond.
5. Kepler-16b is the real Tatooine
Kepler-16b is actually an absolute analogue of Tatooine, the planet from Star Wars. It is one of the rarest exoplanets that orbits in a binary star system. Kepler-16b has a mass 105 times that of Earth and 8.5 times its radius. The atmosphere consists of hydrogen, methane and a small amount of helium. Life on the planet is impossible, so don't expect to find droids there!
6. Kepler-10b – Scorched World
It is the smallest exoplanet discovered to date and is likely to have oceans of lava on its surface. It is located at a distance of 560 light years from Earth, its temperature is 1400 degrees. As a result, rocks on the surface melt, causing huge lava flows that tear up the entire exoplanet. It is believed that the planet has a lot of iron, so the lava there should be bright red.
7. TrES-2b – Dark Planet
It is the darkest exoplanet, reflecting less than 1% of sunlight. In fact, it is a miracle that she was found at all in the complete absence of light. TrES-2b is located approximately 750 light years away. The atmosphere contains gaseous sodium, potassium and titanium oxide - all of which absorb light. However, it still remains a mystery why the planet is so dark.
8. HD 189733b – Planet with glass rains
Perhaps one of the most interesting exoplanets, it is 63 light-years away and has oblique rains of glass. Winds on this planet reach speeds of up to 8,700 km per hour, causing precipitation to fall sideways. The concentrated atmosphere of silicon dioxide causes liquid glass to pour from the clouds, which hardens as it falls. The wind carries the glass at such a speed that the fragments fly horizontally through the air, cutting everything in its path.
9. 55 Cancri e – Planet with strange water
This planet is “tied” to its own sun by so-called tidal locking, and the water on its surface is both liquid and gas. One side of the planet constantly faces the sun, while the other does not. As a result, the water on the planet is in a state where it is both a liquid and a gas.
10. CoRoT-7b – Planet with rocky snow
It's a pretty weird exoplanet where it snows rocks! Like many other exoplanets, it is also tied to its star-sun by tidal locking. The side facing the sun reaches temperatures of up to 2200 degrees, and the other side up to -210 degrees. Lava on the side of the sun heats up so much that it evaporates in the same way as water on our planet. As a result, large rock clouds form, which then fall as rock snow on the cool side.