In my solar system series, I occasionally find it useful to explain space science concepts in detail that most people are not familiar with. But there are many, far more basic ideas that never seem to get traction in the public awareness, so I will now explore some of the concepts that are often woefully misunderstood by the average person.
Daily Kos: The Most Misunderstood Concepts in Space Science
1. Astronomy and astrology have nothing to do with each other.
2. Solar systems and galaxies are not the same thing.
3. Black holes look white.
4. A planet or moon with more mass or bigger size doesn't necessarily have higher surface gravity.
5. There is no such thing as "zero gravity."
6. Gravity at the International Space Station is only a little less than on Earth.
7. Your head will not explode in vacuum.
8. There are no sounds in space, nor other things caused by air, and sounds are muted in lower air pressure.
9. Space is not empty.
10. However, space looks pitch black.
11. Stars are not on fire.
12. Most of a "gas giant" is not gas.
13. Asteroid belts have practically nothing in them.
14. The Big Bang wasn't a bang, and it didn't start at the first instant of the universe.
15. Rockets don't need a surface to push against.
16. There is no "Earthrise" seen from the lunar surface.