From WIRED · Ritsuko Kawai · · 1m 10s
Venus May Have Devoured Its Moon
Venus could have swallowed its moon through slow rotation, not a collision.
In brief
Venus could have swallowed its moon through slow rotation, not a collision. Venus likely consumed its moon via gravitational pull from its slow spin, not a collision. Originally reported by WIRED.
Quick answers
- Evidence of past moon?
- Venus’ young surface may hide traces of a moon swallowed by its gravity.
- What is the key takeaway from Venus May Have Devoured Its Moon?
- Venus likely consumed its moon via gravitational pull from its slow spin, not a collision.
Venus lacks a moon
Venus has nearly the same mass, size, and structure as Earth but lacks a moon.
New theory on moon loss
Scientists suggest Venus’ moon was slowly pulled in by gravity and fragmented, not destroyed by a collision.
Lead researcher explains
Steven Kane, the paper’s lead author, says Venus’ gravity and slow spin caused the moon to collapse on itself.
“Venus didn’t require a catastrophe to arrive at what we can see today”
Earth’s moon comparison
Earth’s moon drifts away due to fast rotation, but Venus spins slowly, pulling moons inward.
Venus’ slow spin
Venus takes 243 Earth days to rotate, making it the slowest spinner in the solar system.
Computer model confirms
Simulations show Venus’ slow spin and moon mass could cause the moon to fragment and be swallowed.
Moon survival unlikely
Venus’ current slow spin makes it unlikely for a moon to survive beyond 4.5 billion years.
Evidence of past moon?
Venus’ young surface may hide traces of a moon swallowed by its gravity.
The headline
Venus likely consumed its moon via gravitational pull from its slow spin, not a collision.
