Interesting facts of astronomy attract a large number of readers. Riddles of space excite the imagination of people for a very long time. Is there life on other planets, how to get to neighboring galactic systems and what is still located there - high in the sky? These and many other questions still remain unanswered. In this article we will consider only reliably known facts about space.
The moon is always turned to the Earth on one side
This fact has long found a scientific explanation. It consists in the fact that the period of rotation of the moon around the earth is 27.3 days. The period of rotation of the Moon around the axis is equal to the period of its revolution around the Earth - 27.3 days. Due to this, we see only one hemisphere of the moon, which is called visible. The hemisphere that we do not see is called the far side of the moon.
The moon is moving away from the earth
Another interesting fact of astronomy. Over the past 25 years, scientists have taken measurements that indicate that the moon’s orbit is growing and it is moving away from the Earth. Studies indicate that the separation occurs at 4 centimeters per year.
At the same time, scientists suggest that in a few billion years the sun will enter a special phase called the “red giant”. During this period, under the influence of the increased atmosphere of the Sun, the Moon and the Earth will come closer again. But during this rapprochement, the Moon can be torn into pieces, from which a ring similar to the ring of Saturn is formed around the Earth.
Dust
Studies have shown that the Earth's surface annually reach tons of interplanetary dust. A large number of asteroids flying around the Sun are between Mars and Jupiter. In a collision, they scatter into fragments that are drawn into the solar system. Flying at great speed past the Earth, dust and stones crash into the atmosphere and burn out. This is what we see when it seems to us that a star is falling from the sky. Those fragments that move slowly have the opportunity to survive due to the gravitational force of our planet.
Olympus on Mars
The highest mountain in the solar system is considered an extinct volcano of Mars called Olympus. Its height reaches 27 kilometers, which is 3 times higher than Everest. Olympus is 540 kilometers in diameter; almost all of France can fit in such a territory.
The mountain on Mars is so great that, no matter where you are, you will not see its end. Olympus has been forming for many millions of years, during which time at its place of formation there was low tectonic activity. And it is possible that the volcano is still in action.
Near Olympus there are several more huge volcanoes: Arsia, Pavonis and Askerus. Each of them may have the title of "giant."
Venus
Our nearest space neighbor has a serious cloud cover. Previously, scientists believed that there were many moist places and vegetation on the planet. But after research it turned out that there are no plants, because unbearable heat reigns on the planet, reaching 480 ° Celsius. And the basis of the relief of the planet is rocks. And most interestingly, there are real acid rain.
On Venus, the cloud cover consists of sulfuric acid, not water. But the acid does not have time to reach the surface, at the temperature that prevails on the planet, it evaporates almost immediately.
Gravity is distributed unevenly on the Earth’s surface.
Scientists learned about this interesting fact of astronomy when they noticed that a person in certain places can feel heavier than in others. A lesser effect of gravitational force can be observed off the coast of India, and an increased effect - on the south side of the Pacific Ocean. Why this happens is still unknown. In March 2002, scientists launched the GRACE satellite, which continuously measures the Earth’s gravitational field. Perhaps soon there will be new discoveries in this area.
The earth is slowing down
Another interesting fact of astronomy. The impact of other planets, the moon and the sun, is constantly happening on our planet. This affects the speed of the Earth's rotation around its axis. At different time periods, it varies. For example, at present, Earth day has decreased by hundredths of a second. This suggests that the angular velocity of the Earth has increased. The causes of this phenomenon have not yet been established. The planet slows down in January and February.
Earth's electric charge
It has long been proven that the Earth has a negative charge. During good weather, electricity flows between our planet and the air in such a way that the charge should dissipate. It turns out that the electricity leaving the Earth must somehow be restored, because otherwise it would end.
Scientists got the idea that lightning charges restore current. A study was conducted several years ago: with the help of air force planes, electricity in the air was measured above lightning fronts. The devices recorded a current that moved in a different direction from the direction of the current in clear weather. After calculations, scientists came to the conclusion that all thunderstorms occurring simultaneously produce a current of 1500 A. This is enough to save the Earth’s charge.
Interesting facts about space for children
1. Where did the universe come from? Scientists suggest that about 14 billion years ago, the Big Bang occurred. It was at this moment that stars and planets appeared. Scientists today cannot answer the question of why this happened.
2. The solar system. It contains 8 planets that revolve around the Sun, and the force of gravity allows them to stay in place. The first four planets are composed of rocks, you can move along them, the four distant planets have a gas structure, that is, stepping on them, you can fail. Gas giants are much larger than the Earth and are very far apart.
3. The first landing on the moon. It is believed that on July 21, 1969, American astronauts were the first of the people to walk along the moon. They had special spacesuits and equipment, which allowed them to do this. On Earth, all this is very difficult to wear, but on the moon, almost no gravity was felt.
4. The Milky Way. All the stars that are visible from our planet are part of large groups, they are also called galaxies. The Milky Way is our galaxy, in shape resembling a firework-turntable. There are a lot of stars in it. It, like the planets, constantly rotates, although very slowly. To see her in the night sky, you need to go into the open space and look into the sky, there a milky streak of light will be visible.
5. Another interesting fact for children about space: the Sun and the Earth. Every day, you can watch the sun go through the sky. But this is not so. The sun actually stands still, and the earth revolves around it and around its axis at the same time. In one day, our planet makes a complete revolution around itself and shows the Sun all its sides. That is why the Sun rises and sets.