Out of This World: The Truth About Four Space Myths
More than 50 years after Sputnik, space myths still dog the public's understanding of the Wild Black Yonder. We'll tackle four myths in this article.
Outer space is so magnificent and, yes, so otherworldly that it's easy to understand how space myths get started. Part of it's the fact that the environment of outer space is so far beyond the pale of our normal experience that it's easy to misinterpret. Some of it's just science fiction taken too far.
Interested in knowing which is which? Then climb aboard while we set out to dismantle four common myths about outer space.
Myth 1: There's no gravity in outer space.
This is a difficult space myth to overcome, especially when we see astronauts floating around inside and outside their spacecraft. The truth, however, is that gravity's everywhere; it holds the universe together. While it may get weak as you get farther away from massive objects, it's always there, acting on everything.
What there isn't in space is weight, which is a function of gravity on your inherent mass. The Earth's gravity is very weak hundreds of miles above the surface, so you weight much less. Add this to the fact that you're falling freely around the globe as you orbit, and it seems like gravity doesn't exist.
Myth 2: The only man-made object visible from space is the Great Wall of China.
This is probably the biggest space myth of them all, and no one is sure how it got started. The truth is, the Great Wall is actually very hard to see from as little as a hundred miles above the surface, because it's made of earth and stone. Some cities, highways, dams, airports and other features are much more readily visible.
And let's not forget that humanity's presence is very obvious at night, when all the continents (except Antarctica) glow with light from our cities. Most continents are at least outlined by lights, but North America and Europe are aglow from sea to darkened sea.
Myth 3: If you're exposed to vacuum, your body will explode.
This space myth is known as "explosive decompression." We've all seen movies in which someone's space suit ruptures and they die a nasty death as their interior and exterior pressures try to equalize immediately. But humans are made of sterner stuff than that.
Even if you're exposed to full vacuum, your eyeballs won't explode. You're liable to get the bends, and to put it delicately; you'll break wind a lot. You may be able to maintain consciousness as long as seven seconds. Ultimately, you'll suffocate; but there will be no significant tissue damage, at least not right away.
Myth 4: Space exploration is a waste of money.
There are those who would point out that even if space exploration rewarded us with nothing but pure knowledge, it wouldn't be a waste. But if you happened to disagree with that assessment, this space myth would still be wrong. All it takes is about five seconds to realize that, if you're willing to think about it.
It's been estimated that the American space program has paid for itself at least seven times over, and that figure is probably conservative. Think Teflon, Kevlar, microchips, medical scanners, new metal alloys, incredibly accurate maps, smoke detectors, and cordless power tools -- all spin-offs of space exploration.
Still think space isn't worth the effort? The next time you're cheering for your favorite team on TV, thank the space program. Ditto when you're using a GPS system to locate yourself, or checking your weather forecast. The satellites that make all these things possible prove just how bankrupt this space myth really is.
