Space Rocks Bounced Early Earth Towards Venus
Image: Pixabay

Space Rocks Bounced Early Earth Towards Venus

A new study may shed more light on the similarities between Earth and Venus.
A new study may shed more light on the similarities between Earth and Venus.

Venus is slightly smaller than our planet but very similar in mass, density, composition, and gravity. However, compared to Earth, Venus doesn’t have the right environment to sustain life. At least not for now. While our planet provides the right environment for life, the slightly smaller planet has 475 degrees Celsius. It is the second brightest object we can see from Earth besides the Moon. 

“The pronounced differences between Earth and Venus, in spite of their similar orbits and masses, has been one of the biggest puzzles in our solar system,” says planetary scientist Shigeru Ida of the Tokyo Institute of Technology. He was not involved in the new work. 

According to science, the early solar system was different from today’s collisions between space rocks. The collisions used to be very violent, and some grew so much in size that they became planets. Venus and our planet are evidence of the early solar system. 

A new study explains that some space rocks bounced from Earth directly into Venus. Although they just grazed our planet, they became part of Venus through a powerful collision. Scientists believe this happened in the early solar system. 

Method

In order to test this theory, experts conducted 4000 computer simulations. After analyzing the results, they found that enormous protoplanets collided with early Earth and Venus. Venus took the colossal impact, while these Mars-sized space rocks only grazed our planet. However, Earth took some hits as well. 

According to their theory, their short visit to Earth slowed their speed, and therefore, they could stick to Venus. This study may provide some insight as to why both planets are so similar. However, at the moment, there is not enough evidence to come to a definitive conclusion. Nevertheless, it is a starting point to understanding the obvious similarities. 

The study has been published in Planetary Journal Science.