This scenario explores planetary environments that transport our imaginations to very different worlds. Scientists study how each world’s air, land, weather, and materials work together. Some distant worlds have clouds containing quartz or silicate particles, while Saturn’s moon Titan has lakes and seas made largely from methane and ethane. These discoveries help us imagine worlds very different from our own. A crystal-covered planet is imaginary, but strange planetary environments are very real. But look before you pocket a souvenir—the crystal aliens might call that stealing!

Fun Facts:

1. NASA’s Webb telescope detected tiny quartz crystals in WASP-17 b’s clouds. Each crystal may be only about 10 nanometers across.
2. Mexico’s Cave of Crystals, which sits beneath the Cave of Swords, has gypsum crystals up to 36 feet long.
3. Titan has rain, rivers, lakes, and seas. But its surface liquids are methane and ethane instead of water.
4. Scientists have found silicate dust clouds on the distant world VHS 1256 b. Some grains may resemble tiny pieces of very hot sand.
5. Scientists think some very hot planets could form clouds containing minerals found in rubies or sapphires on Earth.

Discussion Question:

If we discovered a beautiful crystal world, how could we explore without damaging it?