Space Series - Q & A

Vedhavalli · Jun 4, 2019

kkrish said: ↑

The second set is by @Vedhavalli (her child, to be precise)

Very informative. @kkrish few questions from my 5 yr old kid

I think you are asking about prograde and retrograde rotation.
When a planet spins on its axis from West to East, it is prograde rotation. If observed from above its North pole, the planet will be seen spinning in an anti-clockwise direction. For these planets, the Sun will "rise" in the East. Earth spins in prograde rotation.

When a planet spins on its axis from East to West, it is retrograde rotation. If observed from its North pole, the planet will be seen spinning in a clockwise direction. For these planets the Sun will rise in the West.

Scientists still are not sure why Venus an Uranus spin retrograde.
For Venus, different scientists have different theories.
One group of scientists thinks that Venus must have been hit by another huge object that sent it spinning in the opposite direction.
Another theory is that Venus was spinning prograde, slowed down, stopped, and then started spinning in the opposite direction.

For Uranus also the scientists think that it was struck by another huge object that toppled its axis and made it rotate retrograde.

Good question.
There are many reasons why we learn about planets.
One reason is to find out if any of the planets are like our Earth.
Another reason is to see if humans can travel to the planets, how far they are, if there is place to land, the temperatures, etc.
Another reason is to learn the conditions to see if there can be life existing in the planets.
The more we learn about planets the more we can understand our solar system and also know more about Earth.

Beyond our galaxy, are billions of, a hundred billion, galaxies. Galaxies keep moving away, therefore there is space between them.

Constellations are nothing but imaginary figures that our ancestors drew by connecting some brightly visible stars with lines.
All the these stars are in our Milky Way galaxy.

We cannot see other galaxies without the help of powerful telescopes. They are all so far away. Even our closest galaxy, the Andromeda, is visible as a blur only.

Sure. Please encourage her. Also let me know if I should simplify my answers more.
(Sorry, I asked if your child is a girl or boy in the other thread. I did not read this last sentence properly)
Click to expand...

Thank you so much @kkrish ma'm ❤️ for beautiful answers.
Thought provoking. My kid would love.

Log in or Sign up

Space Series - Q & A

Vedhavalli Platinum IL'ite

Share This Page