1
Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology / Would your eyeballs really freeze up when exposed to space?
« on: 28/04/2018 14:42:52 »
Hi y'all!
Popular depictions of death by unprotected exposure to the vacuum of space are notoriously hit and miss, but my question is a tad more specific. I understand that due to the pressure differential between the inside of the human body and the vacuum of space, any bodily fluids near an orifice (yikes!) or the skin will evacuate or rather evaporate into the zero-pressure environment of space. For liquid to freeze, on the other hand, wouldn't it require *more* pressure rather than less?
I ask because the single most common trope of space death in sci-fi movies is the dramatic forming of ice crystals on the victim's eyeballs and lips. Would it not be more accurate to depict water vapour steaming from the eyes and any other soft membranes?
I suppose it also depends on whether you're directly exposed to sunlight or not?
Grateful for any answers! I'm not a scientist, so if I've gotten this completely wrong, please correct me. :-)
Popular depictions of death by unprotected exposure to the vacuum of space are notoriously hit and miss, but my question is a tad more specific. I understand that due to the pressure differential between the inside of the human body and the vacuum of space, any bodily fluids near an orifice (yikes!) or the skin will evacuate or rather evaporate into the zero-pressure environment of space. For liquid to freeze, on the other hand, wouldn't it require *more* pressure rather than less?
I ask because the single most common trope of space death in sci-fi movies is the dramatic forming of ice crystals on the victim's eyeballs and lips. Would it not be more accurate to depict water vapour steaming from the eyes and any other soft membranes?
I suppose it also depends on whether you're directly exposed to sunlight or not?
Grateful for any answers! I'm not a scientist, so if I've gotten this completely wrong, please correct me. :-)