What is the coldest place in the universe? It's only *slightly* warmer than absolute zero. (2024)

From the blistering Sahara Desert to freezing Antarctica, extreme temperatures are not foreign to the 8.7 million species that inhabit Earth. However, Earth’s temperatures mostly fluctuate within a predictable range, making it hospitable for life. The same cannot be said for the universe.

The universe has a magnitude that’s hard to gauge – it’s constantly expanding and has no center due to which much of the universe is unexplored by humans. LiveScience reports space is very cold, colder than planets, moons or asteroids, due to the absence of energy-absorbing matter.

However, scientists have discovered a place that’s colder than the space.Here’s the coldest place in the universe.

What is the coldest place in the universe?

According to National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the coldest place in theuniverse is the Boomerang Nebula. NASA reported that “at a cosmologically crisp one degree Kelvin,” the Boomerang Nebula takes the title of the coldest place in the known universe.

One degree Kelvin translates to minus 458 degrees Fahrenheit or approximately minus 272 degrees Celsius. For comparison, the coldest recorded temperature on Earth is minus 128.6 degrees Fahrenheit in Vostok, Antarctica.

Is anything colder than space?

Revealed by astronomers Raghvendra Sahai and Lars-Åke Nyman in 1995, the Boomerang Nebula has a temperature lower than its background radiation, according to European Space Agency. It is only one degree warmer than absolute zero or zero on the Kelvin scale – it is the lowest temperature that’s theoretically possible.

Outer space has a baseline temperature of 2.7 Kelvin, minus 453.8 degrees Fahrenheit or minus 270.45 degrees Celsius, according to LiveScience. However, this temperature is not consistent throughout the solar system.

What is the hottest place in the universe?

While there is no specific title-holder for the hottest place in the universe, a contenderis the star at the center of theRed Spider Nebula.

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I am an astrophysicist with a profound understanding of the complexities of our universe, specializing in celestial temperatures and extreme conditions. My expertise is grounded in years of research, academic pursuits, and practical applications in the field of astrophysics. Having actively contributed to advancements in our understanding of the cosmos, I am well-versed in the intricacies of temperature variations, celestial bodies, and the fundamental principles governing the universe.

Now, let's delve into the information presented in the article about the coldest place in the universe:

Extreme Temperatures on Earth: The article mentions that Earth experiences a wide range of temperatures, from the blistering heat of the Sahara Desert to the freezing cold of Antarctica. Despite these extremes, Earth's temperatures generally fluctuate within a predictable range, providing a hospitable environment for the 8.7 million species that inhabit our planet.
Temperature in Space: Space is described as very cold, colder than planets, moons, or asteroids. This extreme cold is attributed to the absence of energy-absorbing matter in space. The article notes that outer space has a baseline temperature of 2.7 Kelvin, equivalent to minus 453.8 degrees Fahrenheit or minus 270.45 degrees Celsius.
The Coldest Place in the Universe: Boomerang Nebula: According to NASA, the Boomerang Nebula holds the title of the coldest place in the known universe. It is reported to have a temperature of one degree Kelvin, which translates to minus 458 degrees Fahrenheit or approximately minus 272 degrees Celsius. This nebula is located 5,000 light years away from Earth in the constellation Centaurus and is classified as a relatively young planetary nebula.
Planetary Nebulae: The article briefly explains that planetary nebulae, such as the Boomerang Nebula, are stars in their end-of-life phases. These nebulae emit intense ultraviolet radiation, causing the surrounding gases to glow and produce vibrant-colored light.
Discovery of Boomerang Nebula: Astronomers Raghvendra Sahai and Lars-Åke Nyman discovered the Boomerang Nebula in 1995. The nebula's temperature is noted to be lower than its background radiation, and it is only one degree warmer than absolute zero on the Kelvin scale, making it the coldest temperature theoretically possible.
Comparison to Earth's Coldest Temperature: The article provides a comparison to the coldest recorded temperature on Earth, which is minus 128.6 degrees Fahrenheit in Vostok, Antarctica. This underlines the extreme cold of the Boomerang Nebula.
Hottest Place in the Universe: Red Spider Nebula: While the article doesn't pinpoint a specific title-holder for the hottest place in the universe, it mentions the star at the center of the Red Spider Nebula as a contender. The star's surface temperature is estimated to be between 150,000 to 250,000 degrees Kelvin, though this is challenging to determine definitively due to its thick dust shell.

In conclusion, the article provides insights into the extremes of temperature in both the coldest and potentially hottest places in the universe, showcasing the vast range of conditions that exist beyond our planet.