Daily Archives: February 13, 2015

The James Webb Space Telescope

Posted on February 13, 2015 by bryancm1

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST or Webb) is set to be the official successor to the Hubble Space Telescope, due to launch is 2018. In order to understand how the JWST will be improving on the Hubble, I think it is first important to understand some of the light aspects of space observation. Model […] Continue reading →

Posted in Class, Light | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on The James Webb Space Telescope

Earth-Like Planets?

Posted on February 13, 2015 by abbeyrstephens

There was a journal article released last week from the Australian National University with the title, “Scientists Predict Earth-Like Planets around Most Stars”. To summarize, using the idea of the “Goldilocks zone” (the distance from a star where liquid water can exist) and applying it to the exoplanets discovered by the Kepler telescope, astronomers have […] Continue reading →

Posted in Aliens, Exoplanets | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Earth-Like Planets?

Archaeoastronomy

Posted on February 13, 2015 by abbeyrstephens

One of the topics I found most interesting to think about in these readings is the topic of archaeoastronomy. I had never even heard of this concept before reading chapter 3! It’s very interesting to think about how ancient civilizations viewed the sky. Some, like the Blackfoot tribes in the Americas, viewed the Sun, Moon, […] Continue reading →

Posted in Historical | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Archaeoastronomy

When in Polynesia…sail as the Polynesians do

Posted on February 13, 2015 by lindenmuthadam

Old traditions have come back to life in Polynesia, and you can take part. Tucked deep within the Cook Islands is an adventure-travel service that will teach you how to navigate the seas with nothing more than the celestial bodies above. The boat you will travel on is equipped with one of the coolest ancient […] Continue reading →

Posted in Class, Historical | Tagged , | Comments Off on When in Polynesia…sail as the Polynesians do

Hubble’s Law

Posted on February 13, 2015 by jamej00

Photo Source: Hubble’s Law Considering the topic of what light can tell us, Hubble’s Law is one topic I’ve always found greatly interesting.  As the picture suggests, the redshift of a distant galaxy is in direct linear proportion to its distance from Earth.  This is the essence of Hubble’s Law – which relates a galaxy’s… Continue reading →

Posted in Galaxies, Light, Physics, Universe | Tagged , | Comments Off on Hubble’s Law

What if Earth is the Center of Our Solar System? (Part 1)

Posted on February 13, 2015 by dungeonastronomy

From the time of ancient Greece, people were convinced that Earth was the center of the universe. The theory of geocentric was still believed by public and authorities until the time of Renaissance. However, what if Earth suddenly becomes the center of our solar system? We can consider what will happen if the geocentric really … Continue reading What if Earth is the Center of Our Solar System? (Part 1) → Continue reading →

Posted in Class | Tagged , , | Comments Off on What if Earth is the Center of Our Solar System? (Part 1)

Time to Understand the Tides

Posted on February 13, 2015 by oliviasn

Even though I am from Colorado, I have to admit that I am more of a beach person than a mountain person, and a fascination with the tides has always been inherent in my love for the beach. However, until reading Chapter 4 of the textbook, I had never understood exactly why or how the […] Continue reading →

Posted in Moons, Sun | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Time to Understand the Tides

Archaeoastronomy: A Connection between Ancient and Modern Cultures

Posted on February 13, 2015 by oliviasn

I have always been fascinated by different cultures and how cultures interact with each other. Thus, whenever I learn about a new subject, I always try to approach it from a cultural perspective. I had not found a way to do so with astronomy until I learned about the field of archaeoastronomy. I am especially […] Continue reading →

Posted in Class, Historical | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Archaeoastronomy: A Connection between Ancient and Modern Cultures

It’s About Time

Posted on February 13, 2015 by emilyksharp

Most of us have calendars hung in our kitchens or virtual apps constantly berating us with times, dates, and upcoming …

Continue reading →

Continue reading →

Posted in Historical, Sun | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on It’s About Time

Think Saturn’s rings are cool? Think Bigger.

Posted on February 13, 2015 by christophermfitzgerald

Saturn’s rings are large, 175,000 miles across large, but as the old adage goes-bigger is better. Scientists looking at exoplanets have discovered a planet with rings 200 times larger than that of Saturn’s. The planet itself, known as J1407b, is … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Exoplanets | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Think Saturn’s rings are cool? Think Bigger.