Poll of the Week: Wonders of the Solar System

By INSPIRE Staff

The oceans of Earth are the greatest natural wonder of the Solar System, according to our latest Poll of the Week.  To tell the truth, I added this just to round out the choices on a poll I hoped would link last week's theme (Cassini and Saturn) with this week's (EPOXI and comets).  And the selection is not just a chauvinistic one, but based on some good, thought out reasoning evidenced by some of the comments in the Discussion Board:

The Earth's oceans. Even in the most extreme conditions they are teeming with life, and it still has much to be explored. 

I agree. We have not discovered all that Earth's oceans can provide. Who knows, could the cure for cancer be in a fish, extremophiles, etc. we have not yet discovered.  

The rings of Saturn.  The largest, brightest ring system, and one of the most beautiful things in the solar system. 

I'd have to go with Earth's oceans. On the Apollo flights to the moon the astronauts caught a glimpse of Earth, and what stood out the most were the clouds and the oceans. From space our oceans make the Earth look like a precious jewel, and if everybody could get a chance to see our home that way, I bet they would take more care in preserving it! 

I'd call it a close tie between Saturn's rings and Earth Oceans. Earth's oceans are beautiful, full of life, exciting, we really don't know much about them, they are definitely a Wonder of the Solar System. But Saturn's rings are also really beautiful, and it's interesting that Saturn got such thick, visible rings when all the other gas giants got only faint. so they are definitely another Wonder. I really can't make up my mind between the two. :) 

I'd have to say the Valles Marinaris on Mars is really interesting. I remember a presentation about how the solar system's "life supporting area" (or something along those lines) is shifting, and at one point, however millions of years ago that was, Mars must have been in that zone and had life supporting features such as water. Now, Earth occupies that zone. But still, the notion that life exists (or existed) somewhere else in the universe is further elevated, and that's just fascinating.

This week, we ask a more personal question:  Have you ever seen a comet?  Answer yes or no, then stop by the Discussion Board and tell us which one and your observations.  If you have not seen one yet, be patient.  You never know when a bright comet will come visit us!