The First Real Image of a Black Hole
In April 2019, the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) collaboration unveiled the first-ever real image of a black hole. This was not a simulation or a drawing, but an actual photograph of a supermassive black hole at the center of the Messier 87 galaxy, over 53 million light-years away. The image confirmed Einstein's theory of General Relativity and opened a new chapter in our understanding of the universe’s most enigmatic objects.
Discovery of Water on Mars
In 2015, NASA announced that liquid water flows intermittently on present-day Mars. Using spectral data from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, scientists detected signatures of hydrated minerals on slopes where mysterious streaks, known as recurring slope lineae, appear and disappear seasonally. This discovery has significant implications for the possibility of life on Mars.
The Mysterious 'Oumuamua
In October 2017, astronomers discovered a strange, cigar-shaped object whizzing through our solar system. Named 'Oumuamua, this was the first confirmed interstellar visitor to our solar system. Its unusual shape and unexpected acceleration as it moved away from the sun left scientists baffled and sparked interesting theories, including the possibility of it being an alien artefact.
Gravitational Waves Detected
In a landmark discovery for physics and astronomy, in 2015, scientists detected gravitational waves for the first time. These ripples in the fabric of spacetime were predicted by Albert Einstein a century ago. The detection was made by the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO), which recorded the waves created by two black holes colliding a billion light-years away.
First Manned SpaceX Flight
In May 2020, SpaceX, a private company, launched its first manned flight, marking a new era in commercial space travel. NASA astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley journeyed to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard the Crew Dragon spacecraft. This mission made SpaceX the first private company to send humans into orbit.
Conclusion
These discoveries demonstrate the incredible advances we've made in uncovering the mysteries of the cosmos. With each day, we venture further into the cosmic ocean, eager to learn what lies beyond the shores of our knowledge. Who knows what other wonders await us in the vast expanse of the universe?
