Last Updated:
NASA scientists shared their deepest fears about space in a viral video on Instagram, sparking online discussions.
NASA scientists fear vacuum, black holes, and the vastness of the universe.
A recent viral video featuring NASA scientists discussing their deepest fears about space surprised and even shocked viewers. These responses may be unlike anything you’ve ever imagined. Posted on the official Instagram account (@nasauniverse), the video showcases a group of NASA scientists revealing the aspects of space that unsettle them the most. Their honest and thought-provoking answers have since taken social media by storm, racking up over 4 lakh views and sparking an online conversation about the vast and mysterious cosmos.
The clip begins with a scientist named Emily explaining that the most terrifying aspect of space for her is the complete absence of air. “Space is a vacuum,” she said. “Above Earth, there’s only a thin layer of atmosphere protecting us from the infinite void beyond.” The idea of such a vast, airless expanse is a chilling reminder of how fragile life on Earth really is.
Jane, another scientist, expressed her unease about the dark, empty expanses between stars. “In many regions of space, there is nothing but pure darkness. Some of these areas are so distant that no stars are visible, and they seem utterly devoid of life or light,” she shared. The idea that there are immense stretches of the universe where nothing can be seen or felt is enough to unsettle anyone.
For scientist Anjali Tripathi, it’s the nearly invisible but ever-present particles that scare her. She explained her fear of neutrinos – tiny, weightless particles from the Sun and other stars that continuously bombard Earth. These subatomic particles pass through everything, including our bodies, and because they’re undetectable to the human eye, their omnipresence creates a sense of eerie vulnerability.
Perhaps the most unsettling fear came from scientist Bertrand, who discussed black holes. According to him, the terror lies in the phenomenon of “spaghettification.” If a person were to approach a black hole, they would be stretched apart by its immense gravitational pull. The thought of being torn apart in such a violent and incomprehensible manner is truly bone-chilling.
Scientist Grace also reflected on the vastness of space itself. She pointed out that the distance between Earth and the Moon is so enormous that all of the planets in our solar system could fit in that space, leaving us to wonder just how truly vast the universe is. The sheer scale of it all can be overwhelming.
Vanessa added one final chilling thought: in space, there’s no air, which means that if something were to go wrong, no one would hear you scream. The cold, lifeless expanse of space offers no refuge and no sound, making it one of the most desolate and frightening places imaginable.
The video generated a wave of reaction online, with viewers expressing their own awe and fear in response to the scientists’ honest reflections. One commenter expressed disbelief at the vast distance between the Earth and the Moon, while another found the idea of being unheard in space particularly chilling. Others found the contrast between space’s beauty and terror to be thought-provoking, noting how both awe-inspiring and frightening the universe can be.
The full video can be watched here.
