Planets revolve not only around the nearest star to us, forming the solar system. As observations have shown, most of them are gas, such as the giants of the solar system, but there are others similar to the Earth. Almost 4 thousand planets have been discovered at the moment, space exploration continues.
What interesting can be said about celestial bodies orbiting the sun and other stars? It turns out that there are many interesting facts.
Interesting facts about the planets of the solar system
The solar system consists of 8 planets, 4 of which belong to the earth group, and 4 more to gas giants. Astronomers used to believe that there were 9 planets, but Pluto lost its status due to being too small. Jupiter is the largest planet, also characterized by accelerated circulation around its own axis. Day on Jupiter lasts 12 hours. The year is also different from the earth, is 12 years. The Great Red Spot, observed over 200 years, is a huge atmospheric formation, a storm. The atmosphere of the planet is very active. Other facts about Jupiter are worth mentioning:
- Jupiter has 63 satellites - the leader of the solar system in this regard;
- Weighs like 318 planets Earth;
- It has powerful gravity, which attracts and destroys comets, space debris.
The closest to the Sun Mercury is very small in comparison with Jupiter, and also it rotates slowly. Day on Mercury is almost half a year on Earthbut it passes around the Sun in 88 days.Despite being close to the star, the planet has ice reserves at the poles, and low negative temperatures appear here on the night side.
Neptune is famous for its winds reaching a speed of 1770 km per hour, and Saturn - for rings, whose system is the most developed in the solar system. Venus reflects up to 76 percent of sunlight, being the brightest planet. Reflection is provided due to its dense cover of clouds.
Mars is distinguished by the presence of the highest mountain in the entire system - Olympus is recognized as an old volcano, its height is 27 km. It is assumed that in the past Mars had an atmosphere like the Earth, and here old channels are also observed, which may be what remains of ancient rivers.
Uranus is a planet that actually lies on its side, the axis angle is 98 degrees. Previously, the celestial body was considered calm, but later numerous storms were recorded - the situation is still being studied.
Exoplanets - interesting facts
It is customary to call exoplanet any of the planets that were discovered outside our system. They were first discovered in the 1980s, when the development of equipment made it possible to observe such objects - small in comparison with stars, rather dim. Today, the number of open exoplanets reaches 4 thousand, scientists are actively continuing their observations, discovering new heavenly bodies. Studies have already uncovered a number of interesting facts:
- Some exoplanets are suitable for life. This is Kepler 186-F, which is only slightly larger than the Earth and has similar conditions;
- Gliese 832-C could also have life, but it is 5 times larger than Earth;
- Kepler 78-B is very similar to Earth, only located almost right next to its luminary, having a surface temperature of 1500-3000 degrees;
- Kepler 238-B could once have been suited to life - as long as the central star of the system had not ruled out this possibility;
- HD 10180 is a star around which there is a system of 9 planets at least;
- Alpha Centauri B b - the closest exoplanet to us;
- Kaptein-B is the oldest, with an age of about 11.5 billion years.
People are actively looking for new exoplanets, hoping to discover new sources of life in space. So far, it has not been possible to prove the habitability of other celestial bodies, and it remains only to pay even more attention to the nearest planets that are within the framework of the solar system. After all, their study is also just beginning, and it is difficult to even imagine what surprises they can bring in the future.
