Knowhere: A Fictional Encounter in the Marvel Universe

Knowhere is a fictional location in the Marvel Comics universe, often serving as a beacon for characters from across the galaxy. Contrary to popular belief, it is not a real planet but a space station located at the edge of the universe, nestled inside the head of a Celestial being. This unique setting plays a crucial role in stories involving the Guardians of the Galaxy, offering a hub where beings from different parts of the universe converge for trade, information, and refuge.

Knowhere: An Architectural Marvel

Imagine a vast, intricate space station, suspended within the chamber of a colossal being, the Celestial. This is Knowhere. Designed as a sophisticated hub, it is a melting pot of diverse extraterrestrial life. The Celestial's head, a colossal structure that curves and twists in impossible ways, houses a variety of chambers and areas for different purposes. It is here that the Guardians of the Galaxy and other iconic characters from the Marvel Universe often find themselves, engaging in interstellar affairs and adventures.

Knowhere in Popular Culture

The term 'Knowhere' has been immortalized in pop culture, often used to refer to both the place and the concept of understanding or awareness. However, it is crucial to distinguish this fictional location from any real-world planets. For instance, the idea of 'Knowhen' and 'Knowthing' being a fictional amalgamation might exist, but they are not part of the official Marvel Comics lore. Similarly, their hypothetical 'nexus,' 'BB,' and the potential 'Knowledge' mentioned in the second snippet refer to speculative concepts that are not part of any real universe.

Reasons for the Mythology Around Knowhere

Due to its significant presence in Marvel Comics, Knowhere has garnered a considerable amount of attention and curiosity. Many readers might confuse it with other fictional or scientific concepts. For instance, some might believe that it is a dwarf planet, much like Pluto or Eris. It's essential to clarify that these celestial bodies, like Pluto, are dwarf planets with unique characteristics such as their roughly spherical shape due to gravitational forces, but they are entirely different from the fictional station within the Celestial's head.

The Myth of the Moon

Another popular misconception is that 'That's no moon. It's a space station!' This confusion often arises from a scene in the film Star Wars: A New Hope where Captain Solo refers to the Death Star as a moon. Similarly, this thought might be associated with Knowhere, leading to a similar pattern of confusion. However, it is important to note that Knowhere's nature as a fictional space station sets it apart from real celestial bodies.

Understanding Planets

When discussing what qualifies as a planet, the answer is straightforward based on astronomical standards. According to the definition set by the International Astronomical Union (IAU), a planet must orbit a star, be spherical due to its own gravity, and have cleared its orbital path of other objects. The list of known planets includes Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. Including dwarf planets, such as Pluto, Charon (arguably a twin planet), Eris, Haumea, Makemake, and others, completes the list.

Extrapolating to Other Worlds

While these are the official planets and dwarf planets, the concept of a planet can extend to other celestial bodies, such as exoplanets that have been discovered beyond our solar system. This includes any extrasolar planet that meets the aforementioned criteria. Therefore, when referring to a planet, it is important to clarify the exact context or refer to specific bodies in our solar system or beyond.