Would Earth be Affected if Venus Exploded?

-- Abbey | February 16, 2020

Question:

IF a planet like Venus could explode from the inside out, would Earth be effected/affected? AND if so, how?

-- Abbey

Answer:

Other than seeing that one of our nearest neighbors in the solar system had disappeared (which would take a little over eight minutes after it happened for us to notice due to the light travel time from the Sun to Venus to Earth), it is unlikely that the Earth would experience any significant affects from Venus’ disappearance. This is mainly due to the fact that Venus exerts only a very small gravitational influence on the Earth. There may be an increase in the number of meteoric impacts on Earth due to the debris left from the explosion, but I suspect that this would result only in an increase in harmless meteors hitting Earth’s atmosphere.

-- Jeff Mangum

Facebook

Twitter

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory is a facility of the National Science Foundation operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc.
	Founded in 1956, the NRAO provides state-of-the-art radio telescope facilities for use by the international scientific community. NRAO telescopes are open to all astronomers regardless of institutional or national affiliation. Observing time on NRAO telescopes is available on a competitive basis to qualified scientists after evaluation of research proposals on the basis of scientific merit, the capability of the instruments to do the work, and the availability of the telescope during the requested time. NRAO also provides both formal and informal programs in education and public outreach for teachers, students, the general public, and the media.
	The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency created by Congress in 1950 "to promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; to secure the national defense..."
	AUI collaborates with the scientific community and research sponsors to plan, build, and operate cutting-edge facilities. We cultivate excellence, deliver value, enhance education, and engage the public.