Most people believe Venus to be our nearest planet; after all, its brightness makes it easy for it to be noticed against our skies, especially as a glowing crescent Moon in the evening twilight or just before sunrise appears close by. However, Mercury actually comes closer. But that is only part of the picture; engineers…
As you explore our Solar System, it is essential to determine which planets are the closest to Earth in terms of atmospheric proximity and why their atmospheres vary so drastically from each other. Venus, considered Earth’s “sister planet,” can often be confused for being too hot; this is because of its thick carbon dioxide atmosphere…
Many people ask which planet is nearest the earth, yet finding an accurate answer can be challenging due to how all planets orbit elliptically rather than circularly and can come close at different times. Mercury tends to be closer than Venus on average, even though it often goes unnoticed in comparison with larger and more…
Due to its closeness to the Sun, Mercury experiences extreme temperatures during daylight. At nighttime without an atmosphere to retain warmth, however, its warmth quickly dissipates into space. Earth is second only in density and features an immense iron core, while Venus boasts greyish-brown skin with bright streaks known as crater rays. Temperature Mercury, being…
Many people will tell you that Venus is the closest planet to our home planet Earth; this can sometimes be true; however, other times this may not always be accurate. Since all the planets in our solar system orbit around Earth in elliptical paths, their distance can change over time – on average Mercury is…
When it comes to finding an Earth-like planet, we may have just made the closest discovery yet – this world lies less than 16 light-years away and is within its star’s habitable zone. Wolf 1069 b is likely tidally locked to its host star, meaning the same side always faces toward it. Yet its closeness…
Astronomers believe there may be an Earth-like planet 31 light-years away that could support life – Proxima Centauri b – which orbits within its star’s habitable zone and contains water bodies. Tidally locked planets like our own moon may provide an even temperature by being locked to their respective stars on one side only, creating…
Mars is often thought of as the nearest planet that could support life, as its soil contains nutrients, there’s water locked up in ice caps, and its atmosphere offers protection from solar and cosmic radiation. But living conditions there can be harsh. Toxic soil can suffocate you and temperatures are too cold to support comfortable…
If you have been keeping an eye on the night sky recently, you may have seen Jupiter rise earlier and earlier each evening and become brighter than all of its stars. This is because Jupiter has reached its closest approach to Earth – known as its perigee – for 2023. People tend to misperceive Venus…
