# Venus May Have Devoured Its Moon

> Venus could have swallowed its moon through slow rotation, not a collision.
- Title: Venus May Have Devoured Its Moon · WIRED | Shortify
- Summary: 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…
- Keywords: venus, moon, rotation, gravity, planetary science, astrophysics, university of california, riverside, May, Devoured, WIRED
- Source: WIRED — https://wired.com/story/venus-may-have-devoured-its-moon
- Author: Ritsuko Kawai
- Published: 2026-09-24T09:15:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: venus, moon, rotation, gravity, planetary science, astrophysics, university of california, riverside
## 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.
## Key takeaway

Venus likely consumed its moon via gravitational pull from its slow spin, not a collision.