Cosmic Exploration Hub: The Moons of our Solar System

July 12, 2020

By: Haris Ahmad[1]

Our Solar system consists of a single star with 8 planets, 5 dwarf planets and millions of asteroids. Just like the planets orbit around the Sun, there are objects which orbit planets and act as natural satellites, and these objects are well known to us by the name of Moons.

Moons come in various shapes and size most of them lacking an atmosphere; however, there are some which are home to an atmosphere and even hidden oceans. What can I say, they may also harbor life?

Most of us have a simple image of the Solar System in our minds with a clear view of all planets. It isn't just like how we think. If we look at a more elaborative image of the Solar system, it would look exactly like this.

Therefore, it can be understood that moons are a huge part of the family. In fact, there are more than 200 moons in our Solar system. A fact that will shock you about this number is that almost 80% of the moons of our Solar system, orbit 2 planets alone.

Taking into account the huge number of moons in this Solar System, I cannot explain them all in just one blog; however, I’ll explain some major ones with extraordinary characteristics.

Let’s start with the Moon we all know about; unless we are not from planet Earth. The Luna, which is our one and only Moon and is 384,400 km away from us was formed when a Mars-sized planet named Theia collided with the Earth 4 billion years ago. Thus, the debris of the collision formed our lovely moon. Luna stabilizes the force of planet Earth making a pleasant place for life to thrive.

https://unsplash.com/s/photos/luna-llena

Moreover, lets come to the largest Moon of the Solar System. The largest moon in the Solar System is known as Ganymede and it orbits the largest planet in the Solar System known as Jupiter. For comparison, this moon is larger than both Pluto and Mercury. It has its magnetic field. Ganymede is named for a boy who was made cupbearer for the ancient Greek gods by Zeus. Scientists have found evidence of oceans beneath the surface of this moon as well.

http://www.celestiamotherlode.net/catalog/jupiter.php

Furthermore, let's talk about the water waster of the Solar System (second to Earthlings). This moon is known as Europa and it orbits Jupiter. Europa is named for a woman who, in Greek mythology, was abducted by the god Zeus Scientists are almost sure about this moon having underground oceans consisting of salty water and the quantity may twice as the water as all of Earth's oceans combined. The surface of this moon is covered in thick ice. The most promising feature of this moon is that it sprays plumes of water into space.

https://www.space.com/31813-a-new-look-at-europa.html

For ending the first blog of this series, I’ll explain about the most volcanically active body in the whole Solar System. It is the moon IO. It is slightly larger than Luna and orbits Jupiter. It has an extremely high number of active volcanoes and even has lakes of molten silicate lava on its surface. These volcanoes are sometimes so powerful that they are seen with large telescopes on Earth.