UNSOLVED PUZZLES

10 baffling natural phenomena we still don't fully understand

Image: Stormseeker

We have certainly come a long way since the first humans began wondering about the nature of the universe. But even with significant technological and scientific progress behind us, some phenomena remain elusive, even to experts. These unsolved mysteries continue to baffle researchers, often hinting at how much we still have to learn about the universe. So, jump aboard and join us on this journey through some of nature’s most intriguing mysteries, from dark matter to the reasons behind why we yawn!

Image: arnaud girault

You might think this is a rather dumb question, but its answer is something that keeps many scientists awake at night. The fact is that, according to the best calculations, the universe is missing a lot of mass. And by a lot, we mean A LOT—up to 85% of the total mass we can estimate from gravitational effects is nowhere to be found.

This has led scientists to posit the existence of an invisible form of mass that could account for many otherwise unexplained cosmic phenomena (such as the acceleration of the universe’s expansion), fittingly called "dark matter." Undetectable by most conventional means, recent experiments have allowed scientists to explore this mystery further. Some speculate that dark matter could consist of a new type of subatomic particle or even millions of minuscule primordial black holes.

Image: Jr Korpa

Dreaming seems like such a natural and commonplace phenomenon that we rarely question why we do it. The nature of dreams has fascinated humans since ancient times, with beliefs about their causes varying widely across cultures and centuries. But despite recent advancements in neuroscience and related studies of the human brain during sleep, both the purpose and precise origin of dreams remain unknown.

So far, we only know with certainty that dreams primarily occur during the rapid eye movement (REM) stage of sleep. During this stage, brain activity is surprisingly high, resembling a state of wakefulness. Some theories propose that dreams help process emotions, solve problems, or even simulate threats, but their true function remains one of neuroscience's greatest mysteries.

Image: Amos

Sometimes, during thunderstorms, people have observed a baffling phenomenon: ball lightning. These are luminescent, spherical objects that seem to fly erratically over the ground, only to suddenly disappear without a trace. This rare and elusive weather phenomenon has been reported since the 19th century, and it has been suggested as the origin of many ancient myths and legends.

While scientists have yet to determine its exact origin, there have been advances in experimentally reproducing the phenomenon through various methods. Hypotheses range from the vaporization of silica in the soil by lightning strikes to the disturbing possibility that ball lightning is entirely a product of lightning-induced hallucinations in the observers' minds.

Image: Lamna The Shark

Are we alone in the universe? So far, the search for extraterrestrial life has not yielded any significant results, though some recent findings have excited scientists about the possibilities. Traces of chemicals often associated with biological processes have been detected in Venus’ upper atmosphere, hinting at the possibility of extraterrestrial microorganisms being present in the planet’s clouds. However, further research is needed to confirm these findings.

Also, there is the still largely unexplained "Wow! Signal," a mysterious radio signal picked up by the Ohio State University's Big Ear radio telescope in August 1977, which some researchers have suggested could be a sign of intelligent life. The signal appeared to come from the direction of the constellation Sagittarius, but it has not been detected again since.

Image: James Yarema

A very well-documented phenomenon, to the point where it is essential to account for its effects in randomized clinical trials to test the efficacy of various medical treatments, the placebo effect remains largely a mystery to science. How can a sugar pill or an inert saline injection produce real, measurable health benefits instead of doing nothing at all?

Most hypotheses point to psychological mechanisms at play, where the belief in treatment activates the body's natural processes for relieving pain and other symptoms. This "ritual effect" could influence the individual's expectations, preparing them to feel better.

Image: Dmitrii Shirnin

In 1908, an extremely violent explosion seemingly out of nowhere flattened over 80 million trees in a vast forest area in Siberia. With an estimated force of 3 to 50 megatons (for comparison, a modern nuclear weapon yields just over 1 megaton), the explosion left no distinguishable impact crater, suggesting that it occurred above the ground.

So far, the leading explanation for the event is a meteor airburst—an explosion of a large rocky asteroid entering the atmosphere at an altitude of 3 to 6 miles. Despite the area being very sparsely populated, eyewitness accounts report observing a bluish light moving across the sky before the time of the explosion, supporting the meteor hypothesis. The sudden burst of energy was reportedly so strong that its shockwave knocked people off their feet and broke windows hundreds of miles away.

Image: Adrian Lange

The origin of life on Earth, known as abiogenesis, remains a mystery. Various theories exist, from life emerging through almost spontaneous chemical reactions in a primordial soup to the idea of panspermia, which suggests that life could have originated elsewhere in the universe and been brought to Earth by meteorites.

The prevailing hypothesis, however, is that life did not originate from a single event but rather through a complex process involving many stages. Connected to this mystery is the question of whether life can exist in forms different from those we know, potentially using elements other than carbon and water.

Image: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute

Saturn's north pole is home to a giant hexagon-shaped storm, a phenomenon unlike anything else seen in the solar system. This strange phenomenon was first discovered during the Voyager mission in 1981 and was later revisited by the Cassini-Huygens probe in 2006. Curiously, the hexagon seems to change colors over time, exhibiting variations from bluish to golden hues.

Some of the most compelling hypotheses point to complex atmospheric dynamics, such as wind patterns and pressure variations, as potential culprits for the storm’s bafflingly geometric shape. Experimental tests have managed to recreate similar patterns under laboratory conditions, but it remains uncertain whether these processes mirror those observed on Saturn.

Image: Clay Banks

Star jelly is a mysterious, transparent gelatinous substance occasionally found on the ground or on tree branches. Since ancient times, its appearance has been linked to meteor showers and similar celestial phenomena. Theories about its origin vary widely, ranging from unfertilized frog spawn or even frog vomit to different species of slime mold or algae colonies.

However, no scientific consensus has been reached, and its true origin and nature remain unknown. Scientists have yet to conclusively determine where star jelly comes from.

Image: Miikka Luotio

If this article has got you yawning (we hope not!), you’re encountering one of life’s many unexplained mysteries right under your nose! Yawning is a universal human experience, yet its purpose remains unclear. Various theories suggest that yawning might help cool the brain, increase alertness, or even serve a social function, but no single explanation has been universally accepted.

Curiously, yawning is not limited to humans; it occurs in almost all vertebrate animals, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and even fish!

Something wicked this way comes

Are you sure you're not spellbound? The 10 most iconic witches in fiction

Image: Cristina Hernández

Broomsticks, cauldrons, potions, black cats, crystal balls, magic wands! What do all these bring to your mind? Some good, some not so good, witches have been recurring characters in the human imagination, appearing in ancient myths, folklore, fairy tales, and even on TV and in films. Among them, some witches stood out, becoming memorable characters for all of us. If you want to remember 10 iconic witches from literature, movies, and TV, this article is for you!

Image: Neal E. Johnson

L. Frank Baum is the creator of the legendary Wicked Witch of the West, who first appears in the famous novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, published in 1900.

One of the main antagonists of Dorothy and her friends, the Wicked Witch of the West is the archetypal witch with all the bells and whistles: she is a malevolent old lady who wears a black dress and a pointy hat, often holding her broomstick.

What many people don't know is that the familiar image of the witch we know today is largely thanks to Margaret Hamilton, who portrayed the green-skinned Wicked Witch in the 1939 film adaptation of the story.

Image: Becca Tapert

Another witch inhabits the world of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, but this one is quite different from the previous one.

Known as "The Good Witch," Glinda is exactly that: a witch with good intentions. Unlike the Wicked Witch, Glinda helps Dorothy on her journey, using her powers for good. These opposing differences are also reflected in their appearances: Glinda is a beautiful woman who wears a pink dress and carries not a broom but a wand, almost like a fairy godmother.

It was actress Billie Burke who brought Glinda to the big screen in the 1939 adaptation.

Image: Jeremy Bishop

Every hero needs a villain, just as every princess needs an evil witch. And the story of Ariel in Disney's The Little Mermaid (1989) is no exception.

Based on Hans Christian Andersen's classic fairy tale, the Disney movie has made Ariel the world's most famous mermaid. But her life under the sea isn't so peaceful, and this is due, in large part, to the evil Ursula.

With her purple skin, white hair, garish makeup, and especially her large tentacles, Ursula is one of Disney's most emblematic villains. In the story, Ursula offers to use her powers to fulfill Ariel's wish to become human. However, her intentions are anything but kind.

Image: Elena Mozhvilo

Moving beyond the stereotypical hats, brooms, and wrinkled skin, the classic American TV sitcom Bewitched (1964-1972) introduced us to Samantha Stephens, a modern-day witch.

Samantha is portrayed by Elizabeth Montgomery, who, over the course of 8 seasons, turned the character into one of TV's most beloved witches.

Unlike other witch characters, Samantha is a kind woman who chooses to live a quiet life in the suburbs with her husband. Although she tries to avoid using magic in her day-to-day life, she often encounters weird and comical situations that leave her with no choice. When she turns to her powers, she always does so with good intentions through an iconic and recognizable gesture: her nose twitches.

Image: Kristin O Karlsen

What memories do you have from your teenage years? Now, imagine having magical powers—how different would that have been? What would the life of a teenage witch be like?

Fortunately, the answer to that last question exists: Sabrina Spellman, the teenage witch. This iconic character first appeared in 1962 as part of Archie's Madhouse #22, a spinoff of the main Archie comics. Sabrina is a teenager like any other, living a normal life—with the small detail that she has magical abilities. Like other witches on this list, Sabrina has a good heart and often tries to help others. She is often accompanied by her pet, which, as it couldn’t be otherwise, is a black cat named Salem.

One of the most famous adaptations was the 1996 live-action series called Sabrina the Teenage Witch, starring Melissa Joan Hart as the main character.

Image: Rosie Sun

While Sabrina and Samantha are kind witches often involved in comical situations, not all the characters in this article are like that. In fact, some are quite the opposite.

Such is the case with the mysterious Blair Witch, first introduced in the 1999 film The Blair Witch Project. In the story, a group of students decide to spend the night in the Black Hills near Burkittsville, Maryland, to investigate the local tale of the Blair Witch. They never return.

All that is found of them is the footage they made during their time in the hills, which turns out to be absolutely terrifying, showing eerie events blamed on the presence of the evil witch. But there's something about the Blair Witch that makes her even more disturbing: you never get to see her.

Image: Sixteen Miles Out

In Act 1, Scene 1 of William Shakespeare's Macbeth, we're introduced to three iconic characters who embody dark forces. They are the Three Witches, also known as the Weird Sisters.

Representing fate and conflict, the Three Witches are responsible for making prophecies that guide the plot of Macbeth. With their eerie appearance and cryptic prophecies, they play a crucial role in Macbeth's destiny by understanding his weaknesses and manipulating the ambition within him.

Shakespeare made The Three Witches speak in rhyming couplets, with one of their most famous lines being, "Double, double, toil and trouble, / Fire burn and cauldron bubble."

Image: Geoffrey Moffett

Winifred, Sarah, and Mary are the Sanderson Sisters, the antagonistic trio of witches in Hocus Pocus, the classic 1993 Disney movie. Spectacularly blending horror and humor, each of the sisters has her own unique quirks.

Winifred, played by Bette Midler in the movie, is characterized by her iconic red hair and green dress. She's also the leader and the most skilled sister. In fact, she's the one who casts the spell that brings the three witches back to life.

Played by Sarah Jessica Parker, Sarah's greatest strength is her charm, especially her melodious voice, through which she sings songs that hypnotize children.

Finally, Mary, played by Kathy Najimy, is very loyal and possesses the spooky ability to sense the smell of children to catch them.

Image: Tikkho Maciel

When it comes to scary witches, we can't fail to mention Maleficent, a full-fledged Disney villain.

Based on the evil fairy from Charles Perrault's classic tale The Sleeping Beauty in the Wood, Maleficent first appeared in Disney's 1959 adaptation. She is a powerful and elegant witch, noted for her spiteful and vengeful personality. She casts a spell on Princess Aurora because the king and queen don't invite her to the christening. She condemns the princess to prick her finger on a spinning wheel and fall into a deep sleep on her 16th birthday until the kiss of true love awakens her.

In 2014, the evil Maleficent had her own movie, with the wonderful Angelina Jolie in the title role.

Image: Artem Maltsev

Since the publication of J.K. Rowling's first book about the iconic young wizard in 1997, and especially since the release of the first movie in 2001, Harry Potter has become a worldwide phenomenon, with thousands upon thousands of fans.

In this story, there's a trio of magical students who stand out for their good intentions and strong friendship: Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger.

Hermione is one of the most popular witches of the 20th century. Her intelligence, skills, loyalty, high morals, and bravery set her apart from other characters of the same age. She shows enormous dedication and commitment to her education, and thanks to her, we all know that "It's Leviosa, not Leviosar!"