Space has been called many things, much of which is accurate; expansive, puzzling, endless, and much more. Unfortunately, there have been many misconceptions and myths surrounding our universe seemingly since the dawn of time, or at least human existence. So many of these misconceptions have become so popular, that many people them to be true. As a man who takes a deep personal interest in space and everything about it, I thought I would take a moment to set the record straight. Here are some of the most common misconceptions about space.
Space Is Freezing
You would assume that being in the dark and empty void of space would be freezing, right? Well, wrong, sort of. It is true that if you were to go out into space and travel to some of its darkest locations, the temperatures would drop well below freezing. However, if you were to travel near Earth and get caught in the direct rays of the sun, you’d be boiling. In fact, the temperature would reach around 250 degrees Fahrenheit.
Our Sun Is Yellow
Quick, look up at the sky right now and glance at the sun. What color is it? You’d probably say yellow, but you’d be wrong. The color of light that the sun gives off is actually white; however, due to Rayleigh scattering, the gases of our atmosphere bend the sun’s natural yellow light and make it appear yellow. It’s really quite fascinating.
The Asteroid Belt Is Incredibly Dangerous
If you’ve ever seen a science fiction movie that takes place in space, you’ve probably seen the dangers of an asteroid belt. More specifically The Asteroid Belt, which is an area roughly 200-300 million miles from the sun, is a densely packed zone full of asteroids and space debris that are sure to destroy any object in their path. This is another myth that is just not true. In reality, The Asteroid Belt is really quite “empty.” Sure, there are asteroids, but they are so far apart that scientists get genuinely excited when they collide.
Space is, for the most part, still a mystery to us. While we may know a great deal about it, there are still so many questions left unanswered. However, these common myths and misconceptions, have all been fully answered and debunked. Perhaps I will return to dispel any other rumors or myths.
