The universe is a vast and incredibly constant space, containing mysteries that humanity has yet to explore. Specifically, within our Solar System, a multitude of unanswered questions continues to perplex scientists.
Unanswered Mysteries of the Solar System
- 1. What force “killed” Venus?
- 2. What is the true origin of the Moon?
- 3. Could life exist in human waste on the Moon?
- 4. Were there other advanced civilizations on Earth?
- 5. Is it possible to “steer” an asteroid away from Earth?
- 6. Did Mars ever support life?
- 7. Is there a ninth planet in the Solar System?
This illustration published on Vox shows several dust rings surrounding the Sun. These dust rings form as the gravitational pull of planets drags dust particles into orbit around the Sun. The image includes Earth, Venus, Mercury, and the Sun. (Photo: VOX/NASA).
These perplexing questions about the Solar System may one day help us understand why humanity exists and how long we will continue to exist… According to Vox, here are seven mysteries of the Solar System that science has yet to explain.
1. What force “killed” Venus?
The surface of Venus is covered by a thick layer of clouds. (Photo: NASA).
Venus is dubbed “Hell” for being the hottest planet in the Solar System, with surface temperatures reaching nearly 500 degrees Celsius and surface pressure 92 times that of Earth (at sea level).
Scientists suspect that Venus may have once resembled Earth: enveloped by oceans that nurtured life. This raises significant questions about the emergence of life on Earth, given that both planets formed at the same time and from similar materials.
What caused Venus to become a “hellish” planet? There are two main hypotheses: either the Sun “scorched” Venus, or volcanic activity was responsible.
2. What is the true origin of the Moon?
Image of the Clavius crater on the Moon. (Illustration: NASA/USGS).
The formation of the Moon was once thought to be similar to that of other planets: debris from the formation of the Sun coalesced to form the Moon. However, when Apollo astronauts returned with lunar surface samples for analysis, the narrative changed entirely.
Geologists discovered that the Moon is covered by a unique type of rock called anorthosite. These rocks are bright and reflective, allowing the Moon to shine in the night sky.
This type of rock is believed to have formed only from magma (or molten rock). This suggests that the Moon may have experienced such intense heat that it nearly melted.
Scientists remain uncertain, but the hypotheses presented all envision a scenario filled with red-hot fire.
3. Could life exist in human waste on the Moon?
A bag of astronaut waste left on the Moon in 1969. (Photo: NASA).
When astronauts completed their missions during Apollo, they had to discard waste to reduce the weight of their return flight from the Moon. Throughout the Apollo missions, astronauts left 96 bags of human waste on the Moon, prompting an intriguing question in the field of astrobiology.
Human waste, specifically feces, is teeming with living microorganisms. Could they survive on the Moon, where environmental conditions are harsh? And if they can survive on the Moon, could they endure interstellar space travel?
If the answer is yes, could life spread from one planet to another, hiding within asteroids or other celestial bodies?
4. Were there other advanced civilizations on Earth?
Simulation of the supercontinent Gondwana, which formed about 550 million years ago and began to break apart about 180 million years ago. (Illustration: Science Photo Library/Getty Images).
While scientists continuously search for advanced civilizations in the depths of the universe, climatologist Gavin Schmidt and astrophysicist Adam Frank pose a different question: Were there other advanced civilizations in Earth’s history that are now buried deep within the Earth’s crust?
This question may not be strictly a mystery of the Solar System, but it could provide answers to other queries in the exploration of space: How might intelligent life on any planet leave traces of its existence?
5. Is it possible to “steer” an asteroid away from Earth?
Simulation of the DART spacecraft approaching Dimorphos. (Illustration: NASA).
Natural disasters (volcanoes, earthquakes, storms, floods…) are an inevitable part of life on Earth. However, there is a type of disaster that we might be able to avoid: the collision of an asteroid or meteorite with Earth.
The challenge lies in the fact that we have never attempted to deflect any asteroid, and it remains unclear whether this is feasible.
Last year, NASA conducted the DART mission (Double Asteroid Redirection Test). They launched a spacecraft the size of a car. The mission of DART was to crash into the 60-meter-wide asteroid Dimorphos at a speed of 24,000 km/h to help us answer the question: Can we alter an asteroid’s original trajectory?
6. Did Mars ever support life?
There is substantial evidence that liquid water once existed on the surface of Mars. (Illustration: ESA/DLR/FU Berlin)
Today, Mars is viewed as a barren desert with no signs of life. However, over the years, scientists have discovered evidence that suggests a Mars that may have previously resembled Earth.
“Mars now is a very different place than it was 4 billion years ago, but you can still see evidence of how it once was,” says astrophysicist Lindsay Hays. “You can see things like the remnants of a large river delta. This indicates that not only was there water, but there was a significant amount of water flowing for a long time, leading to sediment deposition.”
Where there is water, there is life. In 2021, a rover was successfully launched to Mars, providing us with the best opportunity to answer the question: “Did life ever exist on Mars?” If the answer is yes, it could fundamentally change our understanding of the existence of life in the universe.
7. Is there a ninth planet in the Solar System?
Pluto is no longer considered the ninth planet in the Solar System. (Photo: NASA-JHUAPL-SWRI).
In 2006, the International Astronomical Union voted to change the definition of a planet, resulting in Pluto no longer fitting the criteria to be classified as a planet in the Solar System. Since then, the Solar System has been officially reduced to eight planets.
However, there have been numerous clues suggesting that a massive planet may be lurking beyond Neptune, awaiting discovery. Astronomers are still searching for this planet and continue to question its existence: Are celestial bodies far beyond the Solar System being influenced by its gravity?
Will these clues lead us to a real ninth planet? It might be possible, but the search will certainly not be easy.
