When the Universe Freezes / The Enigma of Cosmic Cold

In vast, empty space, it's not just that there's no heat: it's a puzzle that even science can't fully explain. The atmosphere outside Earth, where there's no air to carry away heat, gets super harsh. In the dark spots of space, or in the secret parts of the universe, things get super cold, like hundreds of degrees below zero, and that cold turns into a messy, deadly mess.

Science tells us that space isn't just super cold on its own; it's the empty space that prevents heat from moving when the sun is out. Things can get really hot, like over 100°C, but when it's dark and gloomy, it can get as cold as -170°C. This whole universe is like a weird mix of opposites. When they're hot and cold, they're standing on a thread, trying to keep the thread balanced.

But hey, there's still a lot of things science can't explain, right? Why do some parts of space, like this "cosmic cold blob" thing in the background radiation, seem to mess with what we thought we knew about the universe? Some physicists believe it could be the trace of another universe, like a whisper of dimensions we can't even fathom. The cold isn't just about the cold, it's like a hint of something much bigger.

Cold space is hard on astronauts and ships, and it's like a constant reminder of how much we don't know. It's like looking into a bad universe, but also super intriguing at the same time. Between impossible temperatures and cosmic enigmas, humans are still trying to figure things out, trying to get a grip on this simple mystery.

Reference

Physics for Science and Technology. II by Paul Allen Tipler, Gene Mosca, 2004.

The Power of Cold by WIM HOF, KOEN DE JONG, 2017.