Why astronauts float isn't because gravity disappears in orbit
In short: Space is often depicted through the lens of science fiction, leading to common misconceptions about physics and celestial bodies. This video deconstructs these myths, from the behavior of firearms in a vacuum to the true nature of black holes.
The video clarifies that astronauts on the International Space Station do not experience zero gravity; they actually encounter about 90% of Earth's gravity. Instead, they are in a state of constant freefall around the planet due to orbital mechanics.
Other myths addressed include the idea that Jupiter acts as a perfect shield (it can actually redirect asteroids toward Earth), and the misconception that black holes act like vacuum cleaners—if our Sun were replaced by an equal-mass black hole, Earth's orbit would remain unchanged. It also explains that gunpowder works in a vacuum because it carries its own oxygen, and that comet tails point away from the Sun due to solar wind rather than following the comet's path.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: 7 Other Biggest Solar System Lies You've Been Told
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