We have completed maintenance on DiscoverMagazine.com and action may be required on your account. Learn More

What Flavor is Your Solar System?

Turns out there are a lot of objects in space that look deliciously like food.

Out There iconOut There
By Corey S Powell
Jun 1, 2019 1:14 AMFeb 23, 2020 9:33 PM
Pan moon via Cassini - NASA
Pan may be the most food-like of all moons. This image taken by Cassini near the end of its mission in 2017. (Credit: NASA/JPL/SSI/Kevin M. Gill)

Newsletter

Sign up for our email newsletter for the latest science news
 

I spend a lot of time on science Twitter. It's a great source of breaking research news (as long as you curate your Twitter feed carefully), but also a fascinating peek into the human psyche.

People who love astronomy naturally connect it to the other things that they are passionate about: politics, family, cats, science fiction ... and food. Lots and lots of food. It's strange that there aren't any constellations dedicated to food, considering how readily the human mind makes the connection. (I suppose you could argue that most of the animal constellations are potentially food-related, especially Lepus, the hare being pursued by Orion, but that isn't quite the same thing.)

Post a picture of on of Saturn's moons, and pretty soon there are arguments breaking out over whether it looks like a pierogi, an empanada, or a ravioli. In that spirit, I started keeping a small file of foods that resemble solar-system objects, or vice versa.

0 free articles left
Want More? Get unlimited access for as low as $1.99/month

Already a subscriber?

Register or Log In

0 free articlesSubscribe
Discover Magazine Logo
Want more?

Keep reading for as low as $1.99!

Subscribe

Already a subscriber?

Register or Log In

Stay Curious

Sign up for our weekly newsletter and unlock one more article for free.

 

View our Privacy Policy


Want more?
Keep reading for as low as $1.99!


Log In or Register

Already a subscriber?
Find my Subscription

More From Discover
Recommendations From Our Store
Shop Now
Stay Curious
Join
Our List

Sign up for our weekly science updates.

 
Subscribe
To The Magazine

Save up to 40% off the cover price when you subscribe to Discover magazine.

Copyright © 2024 Kalmbach Media Co.