Terrifying simulation shows what would happen if humans spent just five seconds on Uranus
We've been exploring space for decades already, and there's no denying the planets of our solar system are endlessly fascinating.
Scientists have put men on the Moon and rovers on Mars, but there are still plenty of planets we're yet to properly explore. They're either too far away, too dangerous, or both - but that only further ignites our curiosity around how they formed and function.
One mesmerizing planet is Uranus, whose vibrancy and outer rings has left Reddit users amazed recently.
Sadly, the ice planet would take us a decade to travel to in a spaceship, so it's unlikely any humans will be witnessing its icy atmosphere anytime soon. Uranus is incredibly dangerous - but what would happen if you decided to visit it, treacherous journey aside?
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In fact, what would happen if you spent just five seconds there?
Well, one YouTube channel has set out to answer that very question. And, as expected, the outcome is pretty gruesome - so consider yourself warned.
After surviving the extreme, long-haul journey, you'd next have to navigate all 13 of Uranus' dusty rings - a bit like a spy dodging lasers in those classic movies. Then, you'd become the first ever human witness the planet's blue atmosphere up-close. Congratulations!
The only down side? You don't have long left to life.
Uranus' atmosphere is icy and toxic, with temperatures of a freezing - 371 F (- 224 C).
But here's what you could expect...
Bad smells
Uranus smells awful - and it's not surprising when you learn why.
As What If Science explains, the clouds in its upper atmosphere are 'partially made up of hydrogen sulfide.'
If you inhaled it, you'd 'faint and die instantly' - so, pretty risky.
After narrowly escaping the deadly upper atmosphere, you'd begin your descent through a swirling blend of 82 percent hydrogen, 15 percent helium, and just enough methane to deliver that signature rotten egg stench we're all familiar with.
Ironically, it's that very methane that gives Uranus its stunning bluish-green hue, proving that while the planet may assault your nose, it at least knows how to remain aesthetic.
At some point, though, you'd stop falling through Uranus' dense atmosphere and start swimming in it instead.
Diamond rain
Thanks to its rich methane atmosphere - a single carbon compound - it can rain diamonds on Uranus. Talk about aesthetic!
"Under extreme pressure, the methane molecules break apart and crystallize into diamonds," the YouTube channel explains.
While it sounds glitzy, realistically you wouldn't want to be caught up in a diamond storm - and not when there are winds of up to 900 km/h (560 mph) to contend with.
"That's three and a half times stronger than a category five hurricane on Earth," What If Science adds.
Pressure
If you somehow manage to survive that far, then now you'd be on your way towards the planet's mantle, where the pressure is 100 times more than that of Earth's sea level.
Made of water, ammonia and methane ice, it would be pitch black and the force simply wouldn't allow you to move.
"What you should be worried about is the immense pressure that would be rapidly increasing the closer you got to the planet's center," What If Science warns. "It would squish you before you ever got to the core."
In that sort of environment, though, your carbon-based remains could turn into diamonds. That's one alternative to cremation, I guess...
So, if five seconds on Uranus taught us anything, it’s this: not all planets are meant to be visited - but they sure are fascinating from afar.
Ellie Kemp