#10 Reality Check!

On the topic of conspiracy theories this week, one my favorites has been the Hollow Earth Theory. I'm not 100% sure why this idea is so fascinating to me but it is. However like most good things there is another side. In this case reality has come to wreak havoc on my hopes of ever petting a woolly mammoth. Lets start with the outer crust. According to most of the diagrams I've run across, they leave the outer crust completely unsupported with a giant void in the center. This is undoubtedly a major problem. The gravitational force would make this outer shell of the Earth to collapse on itself. But what about the second sun? The fact that a secondary sun within our planet means nothing more than a brightly burning star is lurking beneath the surface.

Problem number one with having a star in the center of the planet would be the outward and inward thrusts. As the fuel on the surface of the star burns there would be releases of large amounts of energy. This energy is likely to be light and heat energy both of which would cause problems to the small oasis. First off the light would be too strong and condensed to allow for any life(let alone plants and animals). The distance from the star (no matter how small) would be too short to be habitable. Next the amount of heat as output is most likely to cause temperatures close to that on the surface of Mercury or Mars. And if you passed 5th grade science you would know that these are not habitable places. At least not in term of lush greenery and flowing bodies of water. And as if this wasn't bad enough the outward thrust exerted by the star would be great. Such a force could cause a number of outcomes such as: the outer crust being ripped apart, the Earth's rotation and gravitational axis being altered or entirely thrown off or even causing the eventual slipping of the outer layer falling into the pull caused by the star's own gravity.

With these reasons and countless others I say with a heavy heart that a hollow Earth is not physically possible. Physics has a twisted way of making things dull some times huh? But don't throw out all of the hollow earth memorabilia you've bought just yet. You can make a cool indie band and use the diagram of the supposed hollow Earth as your logo or even use it as album art! Or on the flip side you can continue to follow the threads and envelop yourself in the idea of such a cool hidden place. Whatever you choose stay curious my friends.