Venus may have swallowed its own moon through a process of celestial cannibalism driven by the planet’s exceptionally slow axial rotation, according to a study published on Monday in The Astrophysical Journal by researchers at the University of California, Riverside. The new theory breaks from past scientific explanations for why the second planet from the sun lacks a natural satellite.
Why Venus Has No Moon According to UC Riverside Astrophysicists
Planetary rotational speed serves as the key factor behind the disappearance of any potential Venusian satellite, according to UC Riverside astrophysicist Stephen Krane, lead author of the study. Krane told Reuters that while Venus likely acquired a moon at some point during its formation, the planet could not keep it. Computer models based on planetary physics and simulating gravitational mechanics showed that hypothetical moons of various sizes would all spiral inward and crash into the planet. Krane stated that this moon-gobbling event likely occurred within the first billion years of the history of Venus, which formed roughly 4.5 billion years ago alongside the rest of the solar system.
Comparing Venusian and Earth-Moon Dynamics
Earth spins on its axis every 24 hours, rotating more than 200 times faster than Venus, which takes 243 Earth days to complete a single rotation. According to Krane, this rapid Earth rotation transfers energy that gradually pushes the terrestrial moon farther away at a rate of 4 centimeters, or 1.6 inches, per year. Scientists have measured this recession precisely using mirrors left on the lunar surface in 1969 by Apollo 11 astronauts. In contrast, the sluggish spin of Venus produced the opposite gravitational effect, dooming any natural satellite to a decaying orbit and a cataclysmic smash-up.
Did you know? Venus ranks as the third brightest object in the night sky, trailing only the sun and the moon.
Prior Theories and Upcoming NASA Missions to Venus
Scientists previously theorized that Venus either never acquired a moon or lost one to a massive impact from another celestial object. While no direct proof of a Venusian moon exists, Krane noted that Venus almost certainly experienced world-shattering collisions in its infancy. The crowded inner solar system featured rocky objects hurtling through space, and Venus likely absorbed more impacts than Earth due to its closer proximity to the sun. Researchers hope forthcoming exploration will clarify these planetary mechanics, with NASA preparing two missions named DAVINCI+ and VERITAS for launch in the late 2020s or early 2030s to study the atmosphere and geologic features of Venus.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Venus ever have a moon?
According to research published in The Astrophysical Journal by UC Riverside scientists, Venus likely had a moon in its early history, but its slow rotation caused the satellite to spiral inward and crash into the planet.
Why doesn’t Venus have a moon today?
The extremely slow axial rotation of Venus—taking 243 Earth days for one rotation—failed to generate the outward orbital energy seen in Earth-moon dynamics, causing any orbiting satellite to be consumed in a cataclysmic smash-up within the planet’s first billion years, according to lead author Stephen Krane.
What are the next missions to study Venus?
NASA plans to launch two missions, named DAVINCI+ and VERITAS, in the late 2020s or early 2030s to examine the atmosphere and geologic features of Venus.
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