An astronaut who spent 286 days in space returned to Earth with graying hair and a frail appearance. It made people wonder if you age faster in space. Surprisingly, the answer is the opposite! Astronauts age slightly slower in space because of something called time dilation. That means time moves a little slower for them compared to people on Earth.
However, even though time moves more slowly, the harsh conditions of space can make astronauts look older. In space, they can lose muscle, their bones and immune systems may weaken, and other physical changes can happen more quickly. NASA even said, “You’d be able to grow a beard overnight, or your hair might begin graying in a matter of days.” After long missions, astronauts need time to rest and get used to Earth’s gravity again.
Lucy Kim Staff Reporter kids/1744680940/1613368258
1. Do astronauts age faster or slower in space?
2. What is one thing that happens to astronauts’ bodies in space?
3. What do astronauts need to do after coming back to Earth?
1. Would you like to go to space? Why or why not?
2. What do you think would be hard about living in space?
3. What is one thing you would miss from Earth if you lived in space?
An astronaut who spent 286 days in space returned to Earth with graying hair and a frail appearance. It made people wonder if you age faster in space. Surprisingly, the answer is the opposite! Astronauts age slightly slower in space because of something called time dilation. That means time moves a little slower for them compared to people on Earth.
