15 Things in Space That Shouldn’t Exist (But Do)

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15 Things in Space That Shouldn’t Exist (But Do)

By Shannon Quinn - July 16, 2025

Space is an endless expanse filled with astonishing mysteries that continually push the boundaries of what we think is possible. From planets with impossible weather to galaxies that shouldn’t have formed, every new discovery seems to rewrite the rules of physics. It almost feels as if the universe delights in surprising us, constantly revealing cosmic oddities that scientists struggle to explain. Here, we explore 15 of the most baffling phenomena and objects in space—things that, according to our current understanding, simply shouldn’t exist, but undeniably do.

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1. The Boötes Void

15 Things in Space That Shouldn’t Exist (But Do) — The Boötes Void: an immense, mysterious cosmic desert nearly empty of galaxies, defying explanation. Photo by: ChatGPT

One of the most bewildering regions in the observable universe is the Boötes Void—a vast expanse nearly devoid of galaxies, stretching an incredible 330 million light-years across. Unlike other areas of the cosmos, which teem with galaxies, this enormous “cosmic desert” remains largely empty. Scientists are baffled by how such a huge void could exist, as it doesn’t fit typical models of galaxy distribution. Theories abound, but none fully explain its formation, leaving the Boötes Void a haunting enigma in cosmology. NASA

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2. Rogue Planets

Rogue planets are nomadic worlds that drift through the galaxy unbound to any star. Some, like the massive CFBDSIR 2149-0403, are even larger than Jupiter, freely floating in the darkness of interstellar space. Their existence shakes up our theories of how planets form and stay anchored to their solar systems. How did these planets break free—and how many are out there? Astronomers are only beginning to uncover their secrets, making rogue planets a true cosmic mystery. NASA/JPL

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3. Dark Matter

Dark matter is a mysterious, invisible substance that makes up about 27% of the universe. It cannot be seen directly since it does not emit, absorb, or reflect any form of light, making it undetectable by standard telescopes. Despite this invisibility, its presence is unmistakable—astronomers observe its gravitational pull in the way galaxies rotate and how large-scale cosmic structures hold together. The true nature of dark matter remains elusive, fueling intense research and debate in physics as scientists seek to unravel this cosmic secret. CERN

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4. Tabby’s Star (Boyajian’s Star)

Tabby’s Star, also known as KIC 8462852, is famous for its strange, unpredictable dimming events. Unlike other stars, its brightness dips dramatically and irregularly, defying standard explanations. Scientists have proposed everything from swarms of comets to enormous dust clouds as possible causes, while some have even speculated about alien megastructures. Despite intense observation and research, the true reason for these bizarre light fluctuations remains a mystery, keeping astronomers fascinated and perplexed. NASA

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5. The Great Attractor

The Great Attractor is a powerful gravitational anomaly that pulls entire galaxy clusters—including our Milky Way—toward a mysterious point in space. Shrouded by the dense stars and dust of the Milky Way, it remains extremely difficult to observe directly. Scientists have yet to determine exactly what comprises the immense mass responsible for this attraction, making the Great Attractor one of cosmology’s most compelling puzzles. Scientific American

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6. The Cold Spot

The Cold Spot is a vast, unexpectedly chilly region in the cosmic microwave background—the afterglow of the Big Bang. Its presence doesn’t fit neatly into current cosmological models, leaving scientists puzzled about its origin. Some believe it’s just a statistical oddity, while others suggest it could be evidence of a supervoid or even interactions with another universe in a multiverse scenario. Regardless of its cause, the Cold Spot remains a striking anomaly in our map of the cosmos. ESA

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7. Oumuamua: The Interstellar Visitor

Oumuamua made history as the first known object from another star system to enter our solar system. Its strange, cigar-like shape, unexpected acceleration, and complete lack of a cometary tail baffled astronomers. Was it a fragment of an alien world, or something even more mysterious? Some scientists, intrigued by its odd motions, have even considered artificial explanations, sparking debates across the astronomical community. Despite intense observation, the true nature and origin of Oumuamua remain shrouded in mystery. Harvard Gazette

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8. Blue Straggler Stars

Blue straggler stars are anomalies in star clusters, shining brighter, bluer, and hotter than their stellar neighbors—almost as if they’ve reversed the aging process. This flies in the face of traditional stellar evolution theories, which predict older clusters should only contain aging, cooler stars. While scientists suspect these stars form through mergers or mass transfer between stars, the exact mechanisms remain uncertain. Their existence continues to puzzle astronomers and reshape our understanding of how stars live and die. Space.com

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9. Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs)

Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs) are incredibly powerful, millisecond-long flashes of radio energy originating from far outside our galaxy. Their abrupt appearance and immense intensity have left astronomers scrambling for answers. While some point to neutron stars or magnetars as possible sources, others even consider more exotic explanations—including signals from advanced civilizations. The discovery that some FRBs repeat only adds to the intrigue, making these cosmic signals one of astronomy’s hottest mysteries. Nature

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10. The Galactic Center’s Supermassive Black Hole

At the heart of the Milky Way lies Sagittarius A*, a supermassive black hole weighing more than 4 million suns. Its presence, along with the discovery of even larger black holes in other galaxies, challenges our understanding of how such colossal objects can form and grow so rapidly. Astrophysicists continue to debate the processes behind their creation, as these gigantic black holes seem to defy conventional models of stellar evolution and galaxy formation. NASA

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11. Neutron Star Mountains

Neutron stars are among the densest objects in the universe, and their so-called “mountains” are a striking oddity. These tiny surface bumps rise only centimeters high, yet can weigh as much as Mount Everest due to the star’s incredible density. The existence of such heavy, minuscule mountains pushes the limits of our knowledge about matter under extreme pressure and gravity, making neutron star surfaces truly alien landscapes. NASA

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12. The ‘Impossible’ Planet WASP-12b

WASP-12b is a ‘hot Jupiter’ exoplanet orbiting so close to its parent star that it’s literally being ripped apart by tidal forces. Its atmosphere reaches scorching temperatures, and the planet is so dark that it absorbs nearly all light, making it one of the blackest planets ever observed. Even more puzzling, WASP-12b’s orbit is decaying rapidly, defying predictions about planetary survival in such harsh conditions. NASA Exoplanet Exploration

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13. The Wow! Signal

In 1977, astronomers picked up a powerful, narrowband radio burst from deep space, which became famous as the “Wow! Signal.” The transmission lasted just 72 seconds and has never been detected again, despite extensive follow-up searches. Its mysterious nature—coming from a region of space with no known nearby sources—has sparked decades of debate and speculation, especially about the possibility of extraterrestrial intelligence. To this day, the Wow! Signal remains one of the most tantalizing unsolved mysteries in the search for alien life. Scientific American

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14. The Diamond Planet 55 Cancri e

55 Cancri e is a remarkable super-Earth exoplanet that may be composed largely of diamond and graphite, thanks to its carbon-rich chemistry. Orbiting perilously close to its host star, this planet’s extreme heat and unique material makeup set it apart from anything found in our own solar system. Its existence challenges established planetary formation theories, as scientists struggle to explain how such a “diamond planet” could form and persist in such a harsh environment. Yale News

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15. Zombie Stars (Type Ia Supernovae)

Some stars that explode as Type Ia supernovae have baffled astronomers by seemingly surviving their own destruction. Dubbed “zombie stars,” these remnants persist in space, even though the massive explosions should have obliterated them completely. Their unexpected survival defies established models of stellar death and supernova mechanics. Researchers are still working to understand the processes that allow these stars to endure such cataclysmic events, making “zombie stars” a fascinating and unnerving cosmic mystery. NASA

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Conclusion

The universe continues to astonish us with phenomena that defy our expectations and stretch the limits of scientific understanding. These 15 bizarre cosmic discoveries serve as powerful reminders of how much remains to be explored—and how little we truly know about the cosmos. Each mystery invites further investigation and sparks our collective curiosity. As technology advances and our gaze extends deeper into space, who knows what other “impossible” wonders await discovery? Stay curious—the universe is far stranger and more fascinating than we can imagine.

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