Four Incredible Facts About Our Solar System

Dwarf Planets: Miniature in size, large in number

After the Pluto “planet or not” debacle a few years back, the celestial mass that had once claimed a spot as the ninth planet in our solar system was reclassified as a dwarf planet. Before planets were classified as dwarf planets, many astronomers attempted to classify every planet they discovered as a main planet. Had that system stuck, students would have well over twenty planets to remember today.

Jupiter’s Vast Ocean Of Hydrogen

While scientists cannot say with absolute certainly what lies beyond Jupiter’s stormy exterior, they have a pretty good idea of what is within it. Given the nature of the planet’s composition, many scientists speculate that a massive sea of liquid hydrogen covers the entire surface of Jupiter. This hydrogen sea would be nearly 25,000 miles deep and may contain elements so rare that they have not been seen in our solar system since its very formation.

The Earth, Resident Of The Sun’s Atmosphere

While Earth sits an astronomical distance from the sun, our planet still orbits that almighty star within its own atmosphere. Its heliosphere extends outward from the sun in a conical shape and encompasses the entire solar system and beyond. Evidence of our place within it can be seen when solar winds help create auroras, the shimmering celestial lights that Earth dwellers have enjoyed for centuries.

Venus’ Sulfuric Atmosphere

Along with having the reputation of being one of the hottest planets in our solar system, Venus is also one of the most dangerous. The entire planet would be extraordinarily hostile to Earth based life forms Thanks, in part, to the fact that it has an atmosphere filled with sulfuric acid, which is so corrosive that it can destroy proteins within A living human tissue, cause severe burns and formidable spinal cord Damage.