It’s not just our own beautiful planet Earth that’s blessed with mountains, but, that being said, I think it will be a long time before explorers will be aiming to climb the highest mountains on other planets that share our sun.
We must remember that just we looked on in awe at Everest in the early 20th Century. So next we can now look into the skies and dream.
Let us take a look at some of the highest points around our Solar System. Please note that we base our mountains on Earth as the distance above sea level when judging height. In space we have no sea level to measure it from so most approximate measurements for measuring altitude on other planets and moons are calculated using the average height of land on the planet/moon as a whole.
Olympus Mons – Mars
Height. Over 21 km (13.6 miles) or 72,000 feet.
Yes that is huge isn’t it? Standing at approximately 2 and a half times the height of Everest here on Earth. Olympus Mons is the highest known mountain and naturally also the highest known volcano in the Solar System.
Some people say technically that other volcanoes are larger. It all depends how you measure. If you forget height and measure by surface area then you could look at volcanoes like Alba Mons, also on Mars, only a third of the height but has a gigantic 19 times the surface area.
However is there a bigger mountain?
In the Asteroid Belt there is an asteroid by the name of Vesta. On the surface of this asteroid is what is thought to be a huge impact crater that has created a colossal mountain. From its base it rises 22.5 km (14 miles). Once measurements of this far distant asteroid are more easily worked out we will know if it competes with Olympus Mons as it is higher from its mean base. However so far it is the tallest from top to bottom.
Boosaule Montes – IO (One of Jupiter’s Moons)
Height. 16 km (10 miles)
Unlike our moon, IO is extremely active and volcanic. Eruptions have been seen sending plumes over 500 km into space. The highest of all the volcanos here is Boosaule Montes. A place no man will be setting foot on I fear. It is situated in the bottom of this picture.
On one side of it they have measured 15 km cliffs! But as you shall read below. These are not the highest cliffs in the Solar System as we know.
Maxwell Montes – Venus
Height. 11 km m (6.8 miles) 36,000 feet
Standing as the highest point on Venus, Maxwell Montes is hard to see as mountain in itself. To put in perspective it is 850 km (530 miles) long and 700 km (435 miles) wide.
The radar picture below shows its Western side. The crater you can see (Cleopatra) is 100km in diameter.
Beta – Earth’s Moon (Leibnitz Range)
Height – Estimates up to 11 km (6.8 miles)
Near the South Pole of our very own moon lies Beta. It is higher than Everest is above Sea level according to most estimates. Now there is a challenge for an astronaut with a trekking mind? 🙂
Verona Rupes – Miranda (A Moon of Uranus)
The highest known cliffs in the Solar System
It is not exactly known how they were formed but one can only ‘try’ and imagine standing at the top of them or looking up at them. They range from 5 km (3 miles) to a staggering 20 km (12 miles) in height.
Now that is one abseil yes? Hope you have a head for heights.
These are just a few of the many heights to be explored out there. I am sure there are many more to be found and explored in more detail. Even the sights of them will become clearer. I for one am more than happy travelling up hills and mountains on our own beautiful planet. But we can sit back in awe at what we know and what we can discover.
Fascinating subject; those are some intense mountains & ranges! You really thought outside the “box” (ahem, atmosphere) when creating this post. Nicely done!
🙂 Thx Gina
Super photos. I would like to see Olympus Mons. I suppose if I was born in 22nd century I could visit Mars and go on a tour or holiday around the solar system. Oh well for now I can visit mountains on earth.
Makes me feel even smaller than I am :)…
The photo of the mountain on Mars is really stunning.
Thx for sharing.
Amazing photos! Absolutely beautiful, and completely shocking at the size.
what a worderfull site!!! congratulations!!
Apparently Olympus Mons is so high and massive that you wouldn't be able to see it's peak from the base due to the curve of the planet. Or something! Aren't we lucky to be able to imagine things we will never actually do or see? Thanks for the cool post.