The Impact of Every Planet in the Solar System on the Human Body
Johan63/Getty Images
Earth possesses an optimal balance of a breathable atmosphere and a protective magnetic field, shielding us from the harmful radiation of the Sun and its radioactive winds, making our survival on this planet feasible. It’s quite uncommon for a planet to have such favorable conditions for habitation, even though we are aware that most forms of life on Earth could cease to exist in a billion years. The remaining seven planets in our Solar System aren’t as fortunate. Although they may not all support life, each one is unique with remarkable characteristics. Given their differences, you might be curious about what would transpire if a human were to set foot on these other worlds.
We will examine the effects on your body if you were to stand on the surface of any other planet in our Solar System. In some cases, you may never even touch the ground due to the hazardous atmosphere, while in others, the gaseous or liquid surface might be incapable of supporting you. Many of these environments are uninhabitable, and specialized gear (much of which has yet to be developed) would be essential for movement and survival. We will detail what occurs to your body on various planets and the challenges you would face on each one.
Mercury
The Sun’s nearest planet is Mercury, and as anticipated, it would be extremely scorching to visit. Should you land on the planet safely during daylight, the intense surface heat would cause your skin to melt away. Earth’s safety is attributed to the envelope of gases known as the atmosphere, held in place by the planet’s gravity. Mercury lacks a true atmosphere; instead, it has a delicate exosphere. Due to its thinness, the extreme heat and radiation from the Sun can freely reach the planet, resulting in soaring temperatures. During the day, expect temperatures to reach about 800 degrees Fahrenheit, and at night, drop to -290 degrees Fahrenheit. If the extreme heat doesn’t claim you, the cold surely will. At Mercury’s surface, the gravitational pull resembles that of Mars, meaning you’d weigh only a third of your Earth weight.
Additionally, Mercury’s magnetic field is considerably weaker than that of Earth, merely 1% as strong. Consequently, there are frozen water pools at both the north and south poles of Mercury, which remain shrouded in darkness. Should you land in those areas, you would be shielded from the extreme heat. However, you would be confronted with the perpetual frigid temperatures.
