What you’re told isn’t always true. Here are some space myths that are heard and retold but are false.
Total Solar Eclipses are Rare
A total solar eclipse is when the moon passes in between the earth and the sun. It forms a ring of light around the moon. In a newspaper, when a total solar eclipse is going to happen, it says “Rare Solar eclipse happening tonight!” Total solar eclipses happen every 2.5 years. A presidential election happens every 4 years, more often than a total solar eclipse and the newspapers don’t say “Rare presidential election coming up!” or “Rare Olympics coming up!”
The Sun is a yellow star
Most people think that the sun is yellow, but it’s actually white. When the sun is high in the sky we can’t directly look at it because it would hurt our eyes, so the only time we can look at the sun is when it’s rising or setting, which means that all the stuff in the atmosphere is in the way of us and the sun, so the sun looks yellow when it’s actually white.
Astronauts Become Weightless When They Leave Earth’s Gravity
Astronauts become weightless when they go into space. If there’s no gravity in space, the ISS (International Space Station) would drift off into space. Same with the moon and satellites. Earth’s gravity is what keeps everything orbiting around the earth. There’s microgravity in space, not no gravity in space!
North Star is the Brightest Star in the Sky
The north star isn’t the brightest star in the sky! It’s not even in the top ten or the top 20 or the top 30 or the top 40! The north star is the 49th brightest star in the sky! So everytime you look at the sky and say “Look at the north star! It’s so bright! Let’s make a wish on it!” you’re not looking at the north star, you’re looking at a planet or some other star. That’s why your wishes don’t come true!
Days get Longer in the Summer and Shorter in the Winter
What’s the longest day of the year? June 21st, which is the first day of summer. So that means the days have to get shorter over the summer! And what’s the shortest day of the year? December 20th, which is the first day of winter! So days will get longer in the winter!
On a Dark Night, You Can See Millions of Stars
It’s not millions of stars, it’s only thousands of stars. Astronomers have counted, because it’s what they do, and it’s only thousands of stars.
The Sun Rises in the East and Sets in the West
This one is true on only two days, which are the autumnal equinox and vernal or spring equinox. Every other day, the sun rises and sets in a different part of the sky.
As you can see, not everything you hear is true. I hope you learned something from this article. Go and check out some of Daily kid’s other articles.