Fire, Acid, and Ice: The Solar System, Part 1

Fire, Acid, and Ice: The Solar System, Part 1

From Midnight Facts for Insomniacs by Shane Rogers

January 15, 2026 · 53 min · Episode 353

About this episode

Shane and Duncan explore the bizarre and extreme characteristics of the inner planets of the solar system.

The Sun is an unrelenting nuclear inferno. Mercury is a dense little rock with zero atmosphere and the worst sunburn in the system. Venus is a cautionary tale wrapped in sulfuric acid clouds, spinning in the wrong direction just to be difficult. And Mars is a frozen desert haunted by the ghost of ancient oceans. In this episode, Shane and Duncan dig into the bizarre and extreme nature of the inner planets, unpacking strange rotations, impossible temperatures, missing magnetic fields, and Martian cliffs that make the Grand Canyon look like a pothole. Nothing in the inner solar system is normal, and it only gets weirder from here. ~Become an Insomniac! Support the show on PATREON and unlock exclusive bonus content.~Join the community, chat with fellow insomniacs, and vote on episode topics via DISCORD~Send Shane and Duncan a message at midnightfactsforinsomniacs@gmail.com~Rep the show! Grab a tee or mug at the MIDNIGHT MERCH store and spread the word.~Follow us on INSTAGRAM

People in this episode

Host: Shane

Guest: Duncan

Topics covered

  • inner solar system
  • planetary science
  • extreme environments
  • astronomy
  • space exploration

Keywords

  • solar system
  • Mercury
  • Venus
  • Mars
  • extreme temperatures
  • planetary rotation
  • magnetic fields

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Fire, Acid, and Ice: The Solar System, Part 1

Places: Mercury, Venus, Mars, Grand Canyon

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