The Coolest Discoveries Scientists Have Found In Our Solar System
How Many Mind-Blowing Facts Do You Know About Our Solar System?
You don't have to venture very far into space to be awestruck: scientists keep uncovering staggering truths about our very own solar system. From moons hiding secret oceans to planets where it literally rains diamonds, there's a lot yet to discover in our own backyard, let alone other galaxies. Here are five of the coolest discoveries scientists have made about the Milky Way.
1. There's a Hidden Ocean On Jupiter's Moon
One of Jupiter's moons, Europa, has a massive liquid ocean under its icy shell. The existence of water makes Europa one of the most likely places for extraterrestrial life in our solar system.
2. It Rains Diamonds on Neptune & Uranus
The atmospheres of Neptune and Uranus contain intense pressure that crushes carbon atoms into diamonds. This causes diamonds to fall from the sky, which sounds painful but lucrative.
3. Venus Has Active Volcanoes
In 2023, NASA’s Magellan mission found surface changes consistent with fresh lava flows. This suggests that Venus not only has active volcanoes, but they're erupting now.
4. Pluto Has Snow-Capped Mountains
When NASA sent its New Horizons spacecraft to fly over Pluto, it revealed that the surface is covered with rugged mountains covered with nitrogen snow. There are also stunning blue skies in the background.
5. Venus Rotates Clockwise
All the planets in the solar system rotate counterclockwise, but not Venus; it rotates clockwise. Scientists think this unique spin might be the result of a massive impact.
