29th April 2016
Mars is smaller than Earth. Its density and mass is also lower than earth. Since all these factors are lower, its gravity is also lower than Earth. In fact, the gravity on Mars is 62 per cent lower than Earth, meaning the Martian gravity is 38 per cent of the gravity on Earth. So a 50 kg person on Earth would weigh 19 kg on Mars.
9th February 2016
Venus is only 40 million kilometres closer to the sun than we are. Its size is very much like the earth. But this small distance of 40 million kilometres has made all the difference. Venus and Earth are often called twins because of their similar size, mass, density, composition and gravity. However, Venus is the hottest planet in the solar system with its surface temperature reaching about 465 degrees celsius.
8th February 2016
Asteroids are small rocky bodies that orbit the sun. Most asteroids orbit in a belt between Mars and Jupiter called the asteroid belt. They are sometimes called planetoids or minor planets. There are an estimated 400,000 asteroids. However, the large asteroids of about 100 km diameter are few. Some large asteroids have their own moon, such as the asteroid Ida, which has a tiny moon named Dactyl.
8th February 2016
Space scientists estimate that daily about 40 tons of cosmic or space dust falls on earth. They are studying this dust by collecting them using high-altitude aircraft and satellites. The origin of this dust is not clear. However, it is speculated that in space the asteroids, meteors and comets collide, thus producing dust.
