How Bizarre Is Our Solar System? Here's One Crazy Fact About Every Planet

Our solar system is a magical place, much like rest of the ever-expanding universe. While we may not know a lot about the deeper regions of space and what secrets lie in the darker cosmos, we know for sure that the universe is filled with bright, stunning, celestial objects that are ferocious and teeming with energy.

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While far-off black holes and merging galaxies make great stories, our solar system is no dud either. From the elusive terrain of Mercury to the blue tint of Neptune, the Sun's reach is immense. The solar system is also home millions of asteroids, comets, and dozens of moons.

Have you ever wondered what makes each planet in our solar system special? Worry not! In the list below, we assess each planet's one special characteristic, as observed in the solar system.

Mercury's tails

NASA

The smallest planet in our solar system has a diameter of about 4,876 kilometres (3,030 miles), making it just slightly bigger than Earth's moon. But did you know that Mercury has tails? Yep, you read that right. Streams of particles form Mercury's tails, Space.com reported. While it's unclear what creates the shape of these tails, it may be influenced by Mercury's magnetosphere and the Sun's wind.

Upside down Venus

NASA

Besides being hotter than Mercury even though it is farther off from the Sun, the second planet in our solar system has a peculiar characteristic - it is upside down!

All planets spin anti-clockwise on their axis and also orbit the Sun in an anti-clockwise direction. But that's not true for Venus, a planet that spins clockwise because it was hit by a celestial body that moved its entire position sometime in the past.

Earth is radioactive

NASA

Ah, our beautiful home planet! While Earth may now be doomed due to human-induced climate change, it's still the only planet in our solar system to host intelligent life.

In fact, no signs of such intelligence have been noted anywhere in the universe. Don't be narcissistic though - the universe is huge and there are probably thousands of civilisations in far-off planets that are out of our reach.

Did you know that Earth is radioactive? In total, Earth generates about 40 terawatts of heat. According to Popular Mechanics, half of this heat comes from radioactive decay in Earth's core.

Mars' doomed moon

NASA

The Red Planet is increasingly being touted as the next home planet of humans - of course, if things go as expected - which is never the case in space.

Mars has two asteroid-like moons called Phobos and Deimos. But one of these is doomed to die. Universe Today reports that in 30 million to 50 million years, Phobos will end up crashing into Mars' surface or simply be ripped into pieces because Mars' tidal force would become irresistible.

Jupiter's cannibal history

NASA

The largest planet in our solar system is a historic cannibal! Yes, Jupiter may have reached its gigantic size by absorbing baby planets in its way. Proof of heavy elements was recently found in Jupiter's core, suggesting that it may have eaten smaller planets in the process.

Saturn's not-so-solid rings

NASA

The infamous planet with those gorgeous rings, "the jewel of our solar system" might look majestic, but it is extremely unforgiving.

Like Jupiter, Saturn has no surface. Humans would never be able to stand on either of these planets. The pressure from hot gases would crush humans in a short time if we were ever to venture inside.

But did you know that even Saturn's rings are not solid? The mesmerising rings surrounding Saturn are made up completely from ice, dust, and rock particles.

Uranus' extremely long seasons

NASA

Like Venus, Uranus is also tilted at a staggering 99 degrees. It was probably hit by a space object to have become titled, that's why the planet orbits the Sun on its side.

With 27 moons and invisible rings, Uranus is a complete mystery package. Did you know that a season on Uranus lasts for 42 Earth years? Yep, the Sun would appear during a 42-year-long summer and then leave the planet in darkness for the next 42 years of winter on this strange planet.

Neptune is blue

NASA

Like Uranus and Jupiter, Neptune has short days. One day lasts for 16 hours on Neptune. On Mercury, one day lasts for an elongated 1,408 hours!

Did you know that Neptune, along with Uranus has a natural blue colour? It's all in the elements. Neptune's atmosphere is made up of hydrogen, helium, and a bit of methane. It is this unique mix that lends the gaseous planet its beautiful blue colour.

Did you know our solar system's planets were so mysterious? Let us know in the comments below. For more in the world of technology and science, keep reading Indiatimes.com.

References

Kramer, M. (2015, January 28). 10 Strange Facts About Mercury (A Photo Tour). Space.Com.

Interesting facts about Venus. (n.d.). Royal Museums Greenwich.

Flores, E. R. (2021, September 16). 20 Weird Facts About Earth To Remind You Why It¡¯s The Best. Popular Mechanics.

Howell, E. (2016, April 4). 10 Interesting Facts About Mars. Universe Today.

NASA - Saturn Fun Facts. (n.d.). NASA.

Williams, M. (2016, January 12). Ten Interesting Facts About Uranus. Universe Today.

Villegas, P. (2019, November 14). 10 Interesting Facts About Neptune. Texas State University.