The Sun’s gravity holds together our Solar System, keeping planets, asteroids, meteoroids, as well as microscopic debris in orbit around it. At its core lies nuclear fusion processes which turn hydrogen into helium; all this heat makes up our star. This video from BBC Planet Earth series, hosted by David Attenborough. Volume Comparing planet sizes…
The Earth resembles a sphere, though not perfectly round. It bulges at its equator while flattening at the poles, creating variations in gravitational pull that give us the impression it appears round to us. The Earth’s magnetic field is created by its core, where liquid iron and nickel exist in liquid form that undergo convection…
Since 1957 when the first artificial satellite was launched, thousands of spacecraft have orbited Earth. While some are placed into polar orbits for communications or weather purposes, others such as communications satellites orbit in geostationary orbits for longer-term performance. Like throwing a ball into the air creates an unpredictable path towards its landing point, spacecraft…
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…
Saturn will come close to Earth only once every year during what is called opposition, with closeness between 14 August and 26 August being its closest point. Saturn boasts 52 natural satellites or moons; Titan is its most notable. Titan boasts a thick atmosphere similar to Earth. Saturn stands out in our solar system as…
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…
Saturn boasts several large and small moons, the largest being Titan, which is slightly bigger than Mercury and offers researchers insights into Earth’s early formation. Astronomers have known since the 1980s that Saturn’s iconic rings are gradually dissolving, though no exact timeline or rate were available to them. The Rings Astronomers have long noted the…
