From what I just read, Venus spins clockwise while the other planets spin counterclockwise. Why is this?
In: 447
I think the going theory is that Venus collided with another planet (proto) in the past.
If hit, then it either caused the rotation in the other direction, or it flipped Venus upside down.
Think about the power of an impact large enough to alter THE ROTATION OF SPIN OF AN ENTIRE PLANET.
Absolutely insane.
We don’t really know. It’s presumed that it was due to a very large impact event from the early days of the solar system, when things were much more crowded (this same era is why the Moon exists; a planet roughly the size of Mercury formed in the same orbit as Earth and eventually slammed into it).
Is there a possibility that Venus somehow tipped over/ flipped poles?
I read somewhere that the theory is that a large impact flipped Venus upside down – – which gives it the reverse spin effect
How is anything “clockwise” or “counterclockwise” in 3D space where it can be viewed from both sides?
We don’t know exactly. Other comments explain it in the most acceptable theory right now with an impact or multiple impacts explaining its rotation. But the rational speed of the planet being so slow (you could jog around the planet before it makes a full rotation), it could have easily just been pulled into the sun’s orbit from angle giving it it’s rotation long ago (billions of years ago).
Think of the plane moving in a “straight” line and something bigger pulling it from one side.
It’s orbit is still in the same direction but the spin is opposite. Uranus spins on its side and pretty much all planets have some degree of rotational tilt.
I think it’s something to do with the tennis racket theorem. Some geological event causing an extra axis.
[removed]
Latest Answers