10 mindblowing facts about the solar system
Here we go again, another episode about the solar system. I thought four episodes were enough, but
you wanted more. Don’t you guys ever get bored? aha! I’m kidding, let's get to it. Here's the
first mindblowing fact: ---
10 ) We may be drinking comets Have you ever seen a comet? They're big,
bright, and kinda rare today. But did you know that comets were much more common in the past?
Billions of years ago, when the solar system formed, comets frequently crashed into the Earth.
These icy bodies were once so widespread that some scientists believe they may have played a crucial
role in forming our planet’s water reservoirs. How is that possible? Well, it all comes down
to the comets being made up mostly of ice, specifically water ice.
When they collided with Earth, the ice melted and formed our vast bodies of water. However,
there are other theories about how our oceans were formed, and some questions remain unanswered.
The average comet is about three miles wide, so it is not surprising that a collision
between a comet and Earth can have devastating effects. In fact, scientists speculate that a
disastrous comet impact was responsible for the extinction of the dinosaurs.
65 million years ago, a comet measuring around six miles in diameter slammed into Earth. The
resulting impact released energy equivalent to millions of nuclear bombs, leading to devastating
consequences for the planet's inhabitants. Comets are not only fascinating, but they
play an essential role in the formation of our universe. They are often referred to as "dirty
snowballs" - a term coined by astronomer Fred Whipple in the 1950s. With their tail
trailing behind them, comets are some of the most beautiful objects in our solar system.
Although there are other possibilities and some questions remain, the idea that our oceans are
really melted comets is probably the best. So go have yourself a glass of comet!
But avoid using plastic glasses. We are already full of junk. Even the solar system
is full of space debris. Most of them are found around the Earth. And it’s our fault.
--- 9) The Solar System is full of space debris
Space debris is becoming an increasingly concerning issue in our modern world. With
more and more spacecraft and satellites being launched into orbit each year,
the amount of debris orbiting the Earth is rapidly increasing. This debris includes
everything from spent rocket stages to broken satellites and even loose screws. While it may
be easy to dismiss space debris as just another form of pollution, it poses a serious threat to
both our planet and future space exploration. One of the biggest dangers of space debris is
the possibility of collisions. When an object in space collides with another,
it can create a chain reaction of collisions and debris that can cause serious damage to
functioning spacecraft and satellites. This can lead to the loss of important scientific data and
communication systems, as well as increased risk for astronauts on the International Space Station.
To put this into perspective, let's look at the example of the 2009 collision between the
Russian military satellite Kosmos 2251 and the American communication satellite Iridium-33.
The collision generated over 2300 fragments,
which posed a serious threat to other functioning satellites in the area. While many of these
fragments eventually burned up in the Earth's atmosphere, some still remain in orbit today.
So, what can be done to prevent this buildup of debris and reduce the risk of collisions in the
future? One solution is to implement stricter regulations on spacecraft design and disposal.
This includes designing spacecraft with a plan for proper disposal once their mission is complete,
as well as developing technology to remove existing debris from orbit.
Another solution is simply raising awareness among adults and children about the dangers of
space debris. By understanding the impact that our space activities have on the environment, we can
work to reduce our impact and create a cleaner, safer environment for future space exploration.
Space debris is a serious issue that must be addressed in order to ensure the safety
of our planet and future space exploration. While it may seem like a distant problem,
it is one that affects us all and requires a collaborative effort to find solutions. By
working together and raising awareness, we can create a zero-debris environment in the future.
Let’s get to fact number 3. ---
8) The solar system has a zodiacal diffuse light.
Zodiacal light is a celestial phenomenon that paints the sky with
a faint triangular glow that appears to extend from the Sun's direction.
This beautiful sight is produced by sunlight reflecting off cosmic dust particles known as
the interplanetary dust cloud. The cloud is composed of tiny particles that are
continuously replenished by the infall from comets and collisions among the asteroids.
The zodiacal light is like a shy and elusive creature, difficult to spot amidst the brightness
of the Moon and light pollution. It's like a whisper in a crowded room, barely audible but
captivating when heard. To see it, you need to wait for the right moment, during twilight after
sunset in spring and before sunrise in autumn when the zodiac is at a steep angle to the horizon.
The glow is really faint, easily overpowered by the brightness of the Moon and light pollution,
rendering it invisible. However, when seen in a clear night sky, the zodiacal light
is a sight to behold. It literally paints the sky with a faint but mesmerizing glow,
and it is a reminder of the vastness of our universe and the beauty that lies within it.
Despite its ethereal beauty, the zodiacal light can be a noise source to astronomers.
Its proximity to the ecliptic plane, where most planets and asteroids reside,
can interfere with observations and make it difficult to spot faint objects in the night sky.
In recent years, observations by spacecraft have uncovered significant structures in the zodiacal
light, including dust bands associated with debris from particular asteroid families and several
cometary trails. This discovery adds to the mystery and beauty of this celestial phenomenon,
reminding us that there is always more to explore and discover in the vastness of space.
For instance, did you know that the Kuiper belt has a donut shape?
--- 7) The Kuiper Belt has a donut shape.
Now, you may be wondering why this region, filled with icy objects, resembles a donut.
Is it because it's Homer Simpson's favorite donut? Well, that could be a possibility,
but the real reason is much more scientific. The Kuiper Belt is shaped like a donut due
to the gravitational influence of Neptune. As Neptune orbits the sun,
it creates a gravitational field that attracts and repels the objects in the Kuiper Belt. These
gravitational forces create gaps or holes in the ring of icy objects, giving it a donut-like shape.
However, don't be fooled by its delicious appearance. The Kuiper Belt is home to some of
the most interesting objects in our solar system. One of its inhabitants, Pluto, was once considered
the ninth planet in our solar system until it was reclassified as a dwarf planet in 2006.
Other than Pluto, the Kuiper Belt is filled with other dwarf planets, such as Haumea,
Makemake, and Eris. Scientists believe that there could be hundreds of thousands of other small icy
objects in the Kuiper Belt, yet to be discovered. The formation of the Kuiper Belt is still a
mystery to scientists. Some theories suggest that it formed in the same way as the rest
of the solar system, with icy debris coming together to form larger and larger bodies.
Others suggest that it could be remnants from a collision between Neptune and
another planet-sized object. Regardless of how it formed,
the Kuiper Belt remains a fascinating and mysterious region of our solar system.
Who knows what other secrets and discoveries it holds? But for now, let's just appreciate
its donut-like appearance and take comfort in the fact that even our solar system has a sweet tooth.
Hey, you! If you are still watching the video,
why don’t you subscribe to the channel? If you don't, you’re gonna end up like Mercury: alone.
Ah, Mercury. The planet of nothing. It's got nothing going on. No atmosphere to speak of,
no rings to show off, no moons to keep it company, and definitely no life.
--- 6) Mercury has no rings,
no moons, no atmosphere, and no life. If Mercury was a character in Friends,
it would be that weird guy who keeps popping up but no one really knows anything about
him. He's just there, doing his own thing, not really contributing much to the plot.
And without any life to speak of, Mercury is like the Game of Thrones series finale. It's over and
done with and we can all move on with our lives. But hey, let's not be too harsh on Mercury.
Don’t forget that it does have some interesting characteristics. It's the closest planet to the
sun, which means it's really hot. And its surface is full of craters and valleys,
kind of like that one friend who has a face full of acne scars but still manages to look cool.
So, let's raise a glass to Mercury. The planet of nothing may not have much going for it,
but at least it's not as annoying as Arturito in “la casa de Papel”. And who knows,
maybe one day we'll find some little green men living there. But until then,
let's just enjoy Mercury for what it is. A planet with nothing but a whole lot of nothing.
Let’s talk now about something more interesting: have you ever noticed how meteoroids, meteors,
and meteorites are three different words? That’s because they are three different things.
--- 5) Meteoroids, meteors,
and meteorites are three different things. Now, I’m sure you’re thinking, “Wow,
astronomers really love to complicate things!” And you know what? You’re
absolutely right. They just can’t help themselves. But let’s break it down a bit. Meteoroids are just
space rocks. Think of them as the little siblings of asteroids. They come in all shapes and sizes,
from tiny specks of dust to boulder-sized chunks. And when they enter Earth’s atmosphere,
they heat up and create that beautiful streak of light we call a meteor.
Now, here’s where it gets interesting. If a meteoroid manages to survive the fiery
descent through our atmosphere and makes it all the way to the ground, it officially becomes a
meteorite. And let me tell you, meteorites are a big deal for astronomers. They give us a glimpse
into the mysteries of the universe and can tell us a lot about the history of the solar system.
So, where’s the best place to find meteorites? Well,
anywhere where there’s a lot of open space for them to land.
Antarctica is actually a prime spot for meteorite hunters because the icy landscape makes it easier
to spot the dark rocks that have fallen from the sky. Plus, with so few people living there,
there’s less chance of the meteorites getting lost or damaged before they can be collected.
So there you have it – meteoroids, meteors, and meteorites. They may seem complicated,
but they’re really just different stages in the life of a space rock. And while astronomers may
love to make things more complex than they need to be, sometimes it’s just because they
are so excited about the mysteries of the universe. And who can blame them for that?
Anyway, talking about meteors, we have showers of them, visible from the Earth.
They’re an awesome spectacle you don’t want to miss: they are best known as shooting stars.
--- 4) Meteor showers happen all over the year
But what exactly are these shooting stars? Well, meteor showers occur when Earth passes
through the debris trail left by comets or asteroids. As the particles in the trail collide
with our atmosphere, they create a lot of meteors in a short amount of time. This is why meteor
showers are often named after the constellation that they appear to be originating from.
So, how can you spot a meteor shower? Firstly, you'll need to find a dark location away from
city lights. Give your eyes some time to adjust to the darkness, and then look up
towards the radiant - the point in the sky where the meteors appear to be coming from.
You don't need any special equipment, just your eyes!
The best time to spot meteor showers is usually between midnight and dawn, as that's when Earth
is facing the direction of the debris trail. However, some showers can also be seen in the
evening or early morning hours, depending on the specific shower and your location.
If you're looking for a particular meteor shower, it's always a good idea to check
online to see when it's expected to peak. Keep in mind that the number of meteors you see can
vary from year to year, depending on factors like the moon's phase and weather conditions.
The Quadrantids are visible in December or January, the Lyrids in April, the so-called
Perseids in august, the Orionids in October, the Leonids in November,
and finally the Geminids in December again. So, mark your calendars for the next meteor shower
and get ready for a magical night. Who knows, you might just make a wish on a shooting star!
Now you might ask, is there an estimate of how many meteoroids collide with Earth? The answer
is yes! Actually, the Earth is constantly hit by meteoroids, just like the Moon.
--- 3)The Earth is
constantly hit by meteoroids, just like the Moon. There are millions of tiny space rocks hurtling
toward Earth and the Moon every single hour. These sporadic meteoroids are smaller than 5 cm and
weigh less than 100 g, but they enter the Earth's mesosphere at a rate of about 108 per hour!
The impact frequency of meteoroids is crucial for understanding the potential dangers that
these tiny space rocks pose to our planet and its inhabitants. While most small meteoroids burn up
harmlessly in the Earth's atmosphere, larger ones can cause significant damage upon impact.
And the Moon is also vulnerable to impacts from meteoroids. In fact, the lunar surface is covered
in scars from countless impacts over the course of its history. By studying the impact frequency
of meteoroids on the Moon, scientists can gain insights into the evolution of our solar system
and the processes that shaped the Moon's surface. By studying the impact frequency of meteoroids,
we can unlock the secrets of our universe and better understand the potential
dangers that lurk in the darkness beyond. Speaking of impacts, have you ever wondered
how hard it is for a probe to go through the asteroid belt? Well, here’s the answer:
it’s really easy. This is because the collision probe-asteroid probability is very low, unlike
what sci-fi movies suggest. ---
2) Collision probe-asteroid probability in the asteroid belt is very low
The asteroid belt may contain millions of asteroids, but a space probe navigating
through it will still miss them unless it intentionally aims toward one.
Even if a probe is flying blindly at speeds comparable to those of an asteroid,
it would not hit an asteroid in the main asteroid belt for ten million years.
This rarity can be compared to finding a needle in a haystack. The asteroid belt
is like a vast space filled with countless hay bales, but only a few needles. The probability
of a probe hitting an asteroid is so low that it is practically impossible. It is like playing a
game of darts in a massive stadium with only a few targets. The chances of hitting one are minimal.
The idea that a space probe will have to navigate its way through an asteroid field,
dodging incoming asteroids left and right, is a myth created by Hollywood to add drama to
movies. In reality, the chances of a probe hitting an asteroid in the asteroid belt
are incredibly low, and it does not pose a significant threat to space missions.
This is a testament to the vastness and emptiness of space, and we should appreciate how rare
and unique the asteroid belt truly is. There’s only one fact left. Check it out:
Saturn would float, sort of. ---
1) Saturn would float, sort of Yeah, you got it right! Saturn's overall
density is only 70% that of water, the outer layers of the planet are actually even less dense
than water. So, if you could find a giant ocean with a uniform gravitational field, only the outer
layers of Saturn would "float" like a buoyant log. But wait, there's more! As you move toward the
center of Saturn, the density increases rapidly, and at about halfway toward the center, it becomes
equal to that of water. And at the very center of the planet, the density can be as much as 13
times that of water! So, while the outer layers of Saturn would float on water, the inner half
of the planet would sink down like a heavy stone. It's kind of like a boat. The outer part of the
boat, like the hull, is designed to be buoyant and float on top of the water. But the inside of
the boat, like the engine and the anchor, is much denser and would sink straight to the bottom. So,
while Saturn may seem like a big floating ball, it's actually a bit more complicated than that.
But let's be honest, it's still pretty cool to imagine Saturn floating in a giant ocean, right?
Maybe we'll find one in the vastness of space someday.
--- Hey! This video ends here, thanks
for watching. What do you think about it? Let us know in the comments below! Bye!