The highest mountain in the solar system: in search of truth

One of the most beautiful, mysterious and attractive objects of natural origin are mountain systems in different parts of our planet. They are studied and conquered by scientists, mountaineers. By the way, every continent has its own highest mountain point. The world-famous Mount Everest is recognized as the highest mountain point of our planet (8848 m). Conquer her dreams every self-respecting climber, and to examine and visit at its foot - every traveler.

But is it true that Everest is the highest mountain in the solar system?

The Everest Competitor

Scientists have established such an interesting fact that even on Earth this is not the main education in terms of height. In the depths of the Pacific Ocean, in the Hawaiian Islands, there is a volcano that has long been silent, Mauna Kea. Its height together with the underwater part is more than 10 kilometers. Above sea level, it is only 4.5 kilometers, but if we consider in general, then, in principle, it turns out that the highest mountain in the solar system is not Everest, but rather Mauna Kea.

Outside the Earth

In addition to our planet in the universe are millions of stars, planets, satellites and other celestial bodies that have not yet been studied. Only Earth is suitable for life so far. The remaining planets are studied by scientists in conjunction with astronauts. There satellites are sent, samples of soil, water are taken.

Astrogeology

The movement of lithospheric plates gives the Earth the primacy by the formation of natural high mountain peaks. However, with the development of technologies and programs for the study of outer space and planets, scientists came to the conclusion that the highest mountain in the solar system can be outside the planet Earth. The study of this and many other cosmic questions about the mountains is the science of astrogeology. Its peculiarity is that the usual parameters when studying the mountains on our planet are not suitable for the solar system as a whole.

The reference point above sea level is absent in such studies. Therefore, it is difficult to classify mountain systems on the Earth and other planets in one group. However, in general, the scientific reality is that many different cosmic mountain formations are open. This fact can significantly affect how the highest mountain in the solar system is called. The peculiarity of the formation of such massifs is the impact of the planet on some body, volcanic eruption, tectonic movement.

Mars and Vesta

Scientists openly and substantiated enough theories. This became possible due to the development of technologies for studying the terrestrial planets with the help of special devices that were sent into space and received the necessary data and pictures. Basically, there are two record holders who can claim the title of the planet on which the highest mountain in the solar system is located.

Vesta - a huge asteroid - ranks first. On its surface, a peak of Rejasilvia was discovered. It is formed in a natural way. He is considered the result of a collision of the planet with some kind of body. The diameter of the planet is small enough compared to other applicants. However, the height of education is the largest - 22.5 kilometers. His discovery gives an answer to the question of which planet is the highest mountain in the solar system. It is located on Vesta, if you consider it a planet.

The second largest in the scale of the mountain volcano system is Olympus, which is located on Mars. Its name comes from the eponymous mythical mountain Olympus, on which lived all the gods and goddesses described in the myths of ancient Greece. This is symbolic, since the height and area of the extinct volcano amaze any imagination - 22 km in height and 54 km in width!

In various works of astrological scientists it is indicated that if there was an opportunity to be on top of the volcano itself, it is simply impossible to see its slopes, they go far beyond the horizon. Before the discovery of the peak in the crater on Vest, this formation was considered to be the highest and largest. This discovery has discouraged the world community that the highest mountain in the solar system is on Mars.

In addition to these objects on Venus, Mars, Saturn, and the Moon, many mountain ranges and volcanoes are open, which become in line with the terrestrial massifs and are not inferior to them, and often even exceed in various physical parameters.