Think you know everything about space? You might be surprised. Discover the 22 most popular misconceptions about space. Count how many times you were wrong.
The Color of Mars is Bright Red
Mars is known as the Red Planet, but its actual colour up close is more of a butterscotch or dusty brown.
Venus and Earth Twins
Venus is often called Earth’s sister due to its size and structure. But living there would be impossible due to its sulfuric acid clouds, high carbon dioxide levels, extreme pressure, and high temperatures.
The Sun is Burning
The Sun isn’t burning. It glows due to nuclear reactions, not combustion.
The Sun is Yellow
The Sun appears yellow from Earth because of our atmosphere, but its true color is white.
Earth Closer to the Sun in Summer
We have different seasons not because of Earth’s distance from the Sun. In fact, the distance varies slightly throughout the year but doesn’t cause seasons. Seasons change due to the tilt of the Earth’s axis.
The Other Side of the Moon is Always Dark
The Moon’s other side isn’t always dark. The misconception comes from the fact that the same side of the Moon always faces Earth. The far side of the Moon receives just as much sunlight as the side facing us.
There are many Sound in Space
Space movies often include sound effects in space battles, but in reality, space is a vacuum where sound can’t travel. Only some sounds can be “heard” in space by instruments that capture electromagnetic vibrations and convert them to sounds that humans can hear.
Shooting Stars are Stars
“Shooting stars” are not stars at all, but meteors burning up as they enter Earth’s atmosphere.
It’s Impossible to Travel in the Asteroid Belt
Contrary to “Star Wars,” flying through the asteroid belt isn’t as dangerous as depicted because the objects are far apart. Space probes have passed through it without damage.
The Great Wall of China is Visible from Space
The idea that the Great Wall can be seen from space is a myth. Even from a low Earth orbit, spotting it is challenging.
US Has Enormous Space Budget
The belief that a quarter of the US budget is spent on space technology is false. NASA’s budget is a small fraction of the federal budget, peaking at 4.41% during the space race in 1966.
Black Holes are Cosmic Vacuums
People often think of black holes as cosmic vacuums that suck in everything around them. In reality, black holes exert gravitational pull like other objects. Their gravity doesn’t reach out to pull things in from a distance unless those objects come very close.
Asteroids and Meteoroids are the Same
Asteroids are rocky bodies that orbit the Sun, mostly found in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. Meteoroids are smaller rocks or particles in space. When meteoroids enter Earth’s atmosphere and burn up, they’re called meteors. If they hit the ground, they’re meteorites.
The Sun is a Unique Star
The Sun is often thought of as an exceptional star, but it’s actually quite average in size, temperature, and colour compared to other stars in the universe.
Space is Close to Earth
The idea that space is just a short journey above Earth is misleading. The Kármán line, the boundary considered the start of space, is about 100 kilometres (62 miles) above sea level, but reaching and staying in orbit requires much more distance and speed.
Mercury is the Hottest Planet
Because it’s closest to the Sun, people assume Mercury is the hottest planet. However, Venus, with its thick atmosphere trapping heat, holds this title.
The Moon Has No Atmosphere
The Moon’s atmosphere exists but it is extremely thin compared to Earth’s.
Humans Explode in Space Without a Suit
Humans wouldn’t explode in space; the lack of atmospheric pressure could cause harm, but the body wouldn’t explode. Immediate dangers include suffocation and decompression.
All of Space is Extremely Cold
Space is often associated with extreme cold, but temperatures in space can vary widely. Objects in direct sunlight get very hot, while those in shadow become extremely cold.
The North Star is the Brightest in the Sky
Polaris (the North Star) is far from the brightest star in the night sky. That title goes to Sirius, also known as the Dog Star.
Neptune Appears Blue Because of the Water
Neptune’s bright blue colour is not due to water but to methane in its atmosphere, which absorbs red light and reflects blue light.
Zero Gravity Means No Gravity
The term “zero gravity” is misleading. Astronauts in orbit are not experiencing zero gravity but are in free fall. They are continuously falling towards Earth but missing it because of their horizontal velocity.