12 Lies You Were Told About Space

Contrary to popular belief, our sun isn't a raging bonfire in the center of the solar system. Instead, it operates as a colossal nuclear reactor. Within the heart of stars, hydrogen atoms undergo fusion to form helium atoms, and this process of nuclear fusion releases an immense amount of energy.Unlike a conventional fire, the sun's energy is not a result of combustion but rather the outcome of nuclear reactions. As these reactions occur, an astonishing amount of energy is unleashed, propelling it in all directions. Eventually, this energy makes its way across the vastness of space, reaching even us on Earth.

Let's turn up the heat and explore other luminous objects in our night sky. Meteors often appear as if they're ablaze as they streak through our atmosphere, but the fiery appearance can be deceiving.Contrary to the impression of being engulfed in flames, the fiery display of meteors isn't a result of actual combustion. Instead, it's the friction between the meteor and the Earth's atmosphere that causes the intense heat and glowing streaks we witness.

If you're fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of a shooting star, what you're witnessing is not actually a celestial flame, but rather the glow generated by the intense air pressure in front of the meteor as it rapidly traverses our atmosphere. The swift compression of air ahead of the meteor heats things up to the point where it emits a bright glow. Interestingly, due to the substantial heat generated during this atmospheric entry, meteors often burn up before reaching the Earth's surface, even though they aren't technically engulfed in flames. So, the captivating spectacle of a shooting star is a result of extreme heat and pressure rather than a traditional combustion process.

Did you know that 2023 is projected to be the hottest year on record? However, the implications go beyond mere heatwaves and wildfires. In the near future, enjoying raw oysters might become a challenge as warming waters create an environment conducive to the flourishing of bacteria, rendering raw oysters unsafe for consumption.

Moreover, the effects of rising temperatures extend to our beverage choices. Beer aficionados may find their favorite drink tasting less appealing and costing more due to a decline in hops production in Europe, a consequence of the increasingly hotter summers.

Did you know that although we're not quite on track to reach our desired goals in addressing climate change, there is still hope for progress? The Inflation Reduction Act is making a significant investment of nearly $370 billion toward climate and clean energy initiatives. Despite the recent acceleration of global warming, it's essential to remember that humans are in the driver's seat, holding the power to shape the future of climate change.

Moving on from Earthly concerns, some space rocks are too large for the atmosphere to consume before crashing into Earth. While the idea of nuking a giant asteroid might sound like a solution, it's not foolproof. Nuking could break the asteroid into smaller pieces, each posing a potential hazard to life on Earth.

On a lighter note, did you know that you can't cry in space? The microgravity in space prevents tears from falling down your cheeks; instead, they form floating or sticking watery blobs. And speaking of gravity, the concept of zero gravity is misleading; astronauts on the International Space Station are in a constant state of freefall due to their orbit around Earth.

In space, no one can hear you scream, but there are some areas with enough particles for sound to travel, like the hot gas clouds around black holes. Planets also have their own 'songs,' created by interactions between their magnetic fields and charged particles, although these eerie sounds may not be music to our ears.

Addressing the misconception about sound in space, it's mostly silent due to the vacuum, but not a perfect one. Space isn't entirely empty, with a few stray atoms lingering between galaxies. Contrary to cinematic portrayals, astronauts wouldn't spontaneously explode if exposed directly to space without a spacesuit. However, space is harsh, and without prompt response, survival would be unlikely.

Finally, debunking another myth, there isn't a permanently dark side of the moon. The moon is tidally locked to Earth, meaning it takes the same amount of time to rotate on its axis as it does to orbit the Earth. While one side remains unseen from Earth, sunlight illuminates every side of the moon each day.