The moon, along with its cosmic friends, had always managed to capture people’s attention. From all the cool scientific discoveries to the outlandish theories, all that stuff going down around our closest space pal keeps blowing our minds. In this article, we’re going to look at six awesome facts that reveal all the cool connections between moons, planets, and everything linked to them.
1. The Hypothetical “Moonmoon”
Did you know that moons can theoretically have their own moons? These secondary satellites are charmingly called “moonmoons.” While no moonmoon has been observed in our solar system, scientists have identified four potential candidates that could host such a body: Earth’s Moon, Jupiter’s moon Callisto, and Saturn’s moons Titan and Iapetus. While the concept remains hypothetical, future advancements in space exploration might one day confirm the existence of these elusive companions orbiting moons.
2. Titan’s Incredible Hydrocarbon Reserves
Saturn’s largest moon, Titan, is a treasure trove of organic materials. According to data from the Cassini spacecraft, Titan’s surface contains hundreds of times more liquid hydrocarbons than all of Earth’s known oil and natural gas reserves combined. These hydrocarbons exist as lakes and seas of methane and ethane, making Titan not only an object of fascination but also a potential resource-rich body for future exploration.
3. Underground Lunar Caves: Potential Homes for Humanity
The Moon’s harsh surface might not be an ideal environment for humans, but beneath it lies a promising refuge. Researchers have discovered a cave 150 meters below the surface in the Sea of Tranquility, reachable from the Moon’s deepest known pit. This cave is approximately 45 meters wide and 80 meters long, equivalent to 14 tennis courts. Even more intriguing is the steady temperature within some lunar pits, measured at a comfortable 63 degrees Fahrenheit. These stable conditions make underground lunar caves prime candidates for future human habitation.
4. The Moon’s Fiery Origin: A Buried Planet Within Earth
Earth’s moon owes its existence to a cosmic collision with a planetary body named Theia approximately 4.5 billion years ago. While much of Theia merged with Earth or formed the Moon, remnants of this ancient “buried planet” remain deep within Earth’s mantle. These findings provide insight into the chaotic and violent processes that shaped our solar system during its infancy.
5. Miranda: A Moon That Might Harbor Life
Miranda, one of Uranus’ moons, is turning heads in the scientific community. Researchers from Johns Hopkins University and the University of North Dakota have uncovered evidence suggesting the presence of subsurface oceans on this icy moon. If true, these hidden reservoirs of liquid water could potentially support extraterrestrial life, making Miranda a compelling target for future space missions.
6. “Once in a Blue Moon” and the Quirks of Lunar Cycles
The phrase “once in a blue moon” refers to a rare occurrence, typically happening every 2.7172 years. Intriguingly, this number is close to the mathematical constant “e.” While most blue moons follow this pattern, there are rare exceptions. For example, if a full moon occurs at both the beginning and end of January (as in 1998), a second blue moon can occur in March. This quirky phenomenon is due to February’s shorter length, as the cycle between full moons averages 29.5 days.