Facts about the Universe

Amnorix · 03-21-2008, 08:43 AM

I'm currently reading a primer about the Universe. It's chock full of interesting nuggets and, of course, I've decided to share. I intend to update this thread from time to time as I go through the book.

1. The sun has about 99.8% of all of the mass of our solar system.

2. A day is longer than a year on Venus. It takes Venus 225 Earth days to revolve around the sun, but 243 Earth days to rotate once on its axis. (this is the only planet that takes longer to rotate than revolve).

3. Neptune was discovered in 1846. Since it's discovery, it still hasn't even revolved around the sun once, since one Neptune year is equal to about 165 Earth years.

Stewie · 03-21-2008, 09:26 AM

What book is this? I love reading about this kind of stuff.

DenverChief · 03-21-2008, 09:26 AM

more more MORE!!

Hog's Gone Fishin · 03-21-2008, 10:03 AM

Neptune=Carls plan to get us to the Superbowl

BigChiefFan · 03-21-2008, 10:05 AM

The universe is all made of the same properties.

BigChiefFan · 03-21-2008, 10:06 AM

http://www.didyouknow.cd/fastfacts/earth.htm

tiptap · 03-21-2008, 10:22 AM

Venus' has a retrograde rotation of its day. In other words the sun rises in the west and sets in the east. Most of the atmosphere is CO 2. Large amounts of Sulfuric Acid exists high, high in the atmoshphere. That H2SO4 acts as a true mirror as opposed to the Greenhouse Effect which absorbs and re emits electromagnetic waves. As such there is a net cooling effect from that Sulfuric Acid. That doesn't change that it is extremely hot and would be like the bottom of the ocean in terms of air pressure at the surface of Venus.

**Bowser** · 03-21-2008, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tiptap

Venus' has a retrograde rotation of its day. In other words the sun rises in the west and sets in the east. Most of the atmosphere is CO 2. Large amounts of Sulfuric Acid exists high, high in the atmoshphere. That H2SO4 acts as a true mirror as opposed to the Greenhouse Effect which absorbs and re emits electromagnetic waves. As such there is a net cooling effect from that Sulfuric Acid. That doesn't change that it is extremely hot and would be like the bottom of the ocean in terms of air pressure at the surface of Venus.

Sounds like someone forgot to flush.

tiptap · 03-21-2008, 10:27 AM

I am really excited that the recent European probe for Venus got a chance to take readings of Earth looking back at us. The results are promising that we will be able to detect lots of the constituents of the highly unusual reduced state (highly reactive molecular Oxygen and Nitrogen) atmosphere unlike the oxidized state found on Venus or Mars. These findings for other extra solar planets would be suggestive of life.

**Bowser** · 03-21-2008, 10:28 AM

Anybody watch the series "The Universe"? It has had some interesting tidbits, especially concerning possible life on other planets.

beach tribe · 03-21-2008, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bowser

Anybody watch the series "The Universe"? It has had some interesting tidbits, especially concerning possible life on other planets.

HD every time it's on. Love it.

Amnorix · 03-21-2008, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tiptap

Venus' has a retrograde rotation of its day. In other words the sun rises in the west and sets in the east.

Right. Speculation abounds as to why this is. The best theory (and nobody is too excited about it) is that Venus may have had a large impact long ago which got it spinning the other way.

Seems like a weak one to me.

Amnorix · 03-21-2008, 10:42 AM

Uranus is the only planet that spins on a horizontal axis (like a giant ferris wheel). The other planets have a vertical axis (although with some tilt, and often with some wobble).

Amnorix · 03-21-2008, 10:43 AM

One of Jupiter's moons, Ganymede, is larger than Mercury. There are several moons that are larger than Pluto, but since Pluto no longer counts as a planet....

Hog's Gone Fishin · 03-21-2008, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amnorix

Uranus is the only planet that spins on a horizontal axis (like a giant ferris wheel). The other planets have a vertical axis (although with some tilt, and often with some wobble).

03-21-2008, 08:43 AM
Amnorix In BB I trust Join Date: May 2003 Location: Boston, Mass. Casino cash: $10029808	Facts about the Universe I'm currently reading a primer about the Universe. It's chock full of interesting nuggets and, of course, I've decided to share. I intend to update this thread from time to time as I go through the book. 1. The sun has about 99.8% of all of the mass of our solar system. 2. A day is longer than a year on Venus. It takes Venus 225 Earth days to revolve around the sun, but 243 Earth days to rotate once on its axis. (this is the only planet that takes longer to rotate than revolve). 3. Neptune was discovered in 1846. Since it's discovery, it still hasn't even revolved around the sun once, since one Neptune year is equal to about 165 Earth years.
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03-21-2008, 09:26 AM	#2
Stewie MVP Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: West of the Equator Casino cash: $1809901	What book is this? I love reading about this kind of stuff.
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03-21-2008, 09:26 AM	#3
DenverChief MVP Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Rocky Ford Casino cash: $5849867	more more MORE!!
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03-21-2008, 10:03 AM	#4
Hog's Gone Fishin Fish are scared of me Join Date: Nov 2001 Casino cash: $1600477	Neptune=Carls plan to get us to the Superbowl
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03-21-2008, 10:05 AM	#5
BigChiefFan MVP Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: In the Top 10 Casino cash: $9924205	The universe is all made of the same properties. __________________ A 35 year drought can make you thirsty.
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03-21-2008, 10:06 AM	#6
BigChiefFan MVP Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: In the Top 10 Casino cash: $9924205	http://www.didyouknow.cd/fastfacts/earth.htm __________________ A 35 year drought can make you thirsty.
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03-21-2008, 10:22 AM	#7
tiptap Is this it? Join Date: Jan 2004 Casino cash: $10007847	Venus' has a retrograde rotation of its day. In other words the sun rises in the west and sets in the east. Most of the atmosphere is CO 2. Large amounts of Sulfuric Acid exists high, high in the atmoshphere. That H2SO4 acts as a true mirror as opposed to the Greenhouse Effect which absorbs and re emits electromagnetic waves. As such there is a net cooling effect from that Sulfuric Acid. That doesn't change that it is extremely hot and would be like the bottom of the ocean in terms of air pressure at the surface of Venus. __________________ Even a superstitious man has certain inalienable rights. He has a right to harbor and indulge his imbecilities as long as he pleases. . . He has a right to argue for them as eloquently as he can, in season and out of season. He has a right to teach them to his children. But certainly he has no right to be protected against the free criticism of those who do not hold them. He has no right to demand that they be treated as sacred. He has no right to preach them without challenge." -H.L. Mencken
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03-21-2008, 10:27 AM	#9
tiptap Is this it? Join Date: Jan 2004 Casino cash: $10007847	I am really excited that the recent European probe for Venus got a chance to take readings of Earth looking back at us. The results are promising that we will be able to detect lots of the constituents of the highly unusual reduced state (highly reactive molecular Oxygen and Nitrogen) atmosphere unlike the oxidized state found on Venus or Mars. These findings for other extra solar planets would be suggestive of life. __________________ Even a superstitious man has certain inalienable rights. He has a right to harbor and indulge his imbecilities as long as he pleases. . . He has a right to argue for them as eloquently as he can, in season and out of season. He has a right to teach them to his children. But certainly he has no right to be protected against the free criticism of those who do not hold them. He has no right to demand that they be treated as sacred. He has no right to preach them without challenge." -H.L. Mencken
Posts: 5,134

03-21-2008, 10:28 AM	#10
Bowser sorta mod-ish Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: KC North Casino cash: $3341616	Anybody watch the series "The Universe"? It has had some interesting tidbits, especially concerning possible life on other planets.
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03-21-2008, 10:42 AM	#13
Amnorix In BB I trust Join Date: May 2003 Location: Boston, Mass. Casino cash: $10029808	Uranus is the only planet that spins on a horizontal axis (like a giant ferris wheel). The other planets have a vertical axis (although with some tilt, and often with some wobble). __________________ "I love signature blocks on the Internet. I get to put whatever the hell I want in quotes, pick a pretend author, and bang, it's like he really said it." George Washington
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03-21-2008, 10:43 AM	#14
Amnorix In BB I trust Join Date: May 2003 Location: Boston, Mass. Casino cash: $10029808	One of Jupiter's moons, Ganymede, is larger than Mercury. There are several moons that are larger than Pluto, but since Pluto no longer counts as a planet.... __________________ "I love signature blocks on the Internet. I get to put whatever the hell I want in quotes, pick a pretend author, and bang, it's like he really said it." George Washington
Posts: 43,125