Scientists nickname it “the evil twin”.
Venus is an amazing planet. Although it has a size and a structure close to those of the earth, scientists sometimes call it its “evil twin”. For what ? Because it turns in the opposite direction to the earth and to most other planets. By looking at it from the North Pole, we would see that Venus turns in the direction of the needles of a watch, while the earth turns in the opposite direction. On Venus, the sun rises to the west and sets to the east. How to explain this particularity?
Scientists advance three hypotheses to explain this unusual rotation. The most common suggests that a massive collision with another celestial body, during the formation of the solar system, would have reversed the direction of rotation of Venus. A second theory, described in a historical study by NASA, explains that the very thick atmosphere of Venus, heated unevenly by the sun, creates a “thermal tidal effect” which would have slowed down the rotation to reverse it.
Finally, a third hypothesis, less often cited but interesting suggests that it is the direct attraction of the sun which, by drawing strongly on Venus, would gradually slow down its rotation and reversed its meaning, without it being necessary to imagine a collision. An admissible explanation since Venus is very close to the sun. However, these three theories remain speculative and still require research to be confirmed.
Venus’ unique rotation remains a fascinating mystery. Whether it is because of a giant collision, its dense atmosphere or the direct influence of the sun: each theory shows us how much neighbor is different and complex. This enigma also recalls that the solar system still conceals many secrets and that each discovery brings us a little more closer to the understanding of our universe.
