Monthly Archives: February 2017

Blog 1: Special Theory of Relativity

Posted on February 13, 2017 by vandyastro

Before discussion the Special Theory of Relativity. Two observations must be understood; one that the speed of light is constant and two one cannot distinguish a state of rest from a state of constant velocity. The idea that the speed of light is constant has never been truly proven, but can be verified with experimentation. […] Continue reading →

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Ether and the Michelson-Morley Experiment

Posted on February 13, 2017 by brandonandthesolarsystem

Before Einstein’s revolutionary ideas changed the landscape of physics, very little was known about the speed of light. The fact is that, at the time, light was an anomaly; it had characteristics unique to anything else we experienced in the world. For example, was light a particle or a wave? And more importantly, if light […] Continue reading →

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Moon Phases

Posted on February 13, 2017 by xiangyunastr2110

Moon, the beautiful silver disc hanging in the night sky, always gives me a sense of mutability and mystery. Have you ever looked up the sky and have a careful observation of the Moon? Have you ever had this question: “Why does the Moon look different every night? Do these changes follow particular patterns?” With […] Continue reading →

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Phobos is Doomed and Should be Afraid

Posted on February 13, 2017 by Ashley Garcia

The red planet is orbited by two moons, Phobos and Deimos (Greek for Fear and Panic respectively), and given the predicted fate of Phobos, the small moon has good reason to be afraid. Both moons may have originally been asteroids that were captured by Mars’ orbit, however in time, Phobos may become a ring around… Continue reading Phobos is Doomed and Should be Afraid Continue reading →

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The Oort Cloud

Posted on February 12, 2017 by astr2110tmcm

The Oort Cloud is a theorized “shell” of comets and other objects that are on the edge of our Solar System. It is much harder to observe than other objects in and around our solar system like the Kuiper Belt, so it’s existence is only theorized, but it is the best way for us to […] Continue reading →

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Uranus’ Seasons

Posted on February 12, 2017 by astr2110tmcm

Typically when we think of seasons we think of those we experience on Earth, lasting around 3 months,  and having unique characteristics as far as temperature and weather go. Things are a bit different on Uranus, due to a huge impact that the planet experienced billions of years ago. This impact knocked the axis of […] Continue reading →

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Light Can Do the Twist Too

Posted on February 12, 2017 by Ashley Garcia

As many of my fellow classmates may know, the Earth orbits about the Sun, while also spinning on its axis. It is less known however, that light exhibits the same behavior. Normally, measurements regarding light record things such as direction and energy, and occasionally the spin polarization. Light also has an orbital angular momentum (OAM) however,… Continue reading Light Can Do the Twist Too Continue reading →

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Gravity vs. Light

Posted on February 12, 2017 by ksun1

The light from a distant galaxy gets warped and distorted thanks to the immense gravity of the closer reddish-orange galaxy We usually think light is pretty fast. Usain Bolt can set new records for how quickly man can run. There are motorcycles that can travel faster than our own nerve impulses. Aircraft has long since broken the sound barrier. […] Continue reading →

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Lunar Phases

Posted on February 12, 2017 by ksun1

A picture of the moon’s cyclical lunar phases As we sit comfortably on planet Earth, instinctively believing we are the center of the universe, it is sometimes easy to forget that reality may not always be how we humans see it.  The cyclic visual wonder of the lunar phases, for instance, gives the illusion that […] Continue reading →

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Death by Black Hole

Posted on February 12, 2017 by josiezd

Unfortunately, astronomers and physicists are pretty sure you can’t just go through a black hole and pop out the other side – you will, in fact, die. The real question is, how exactly will you die? Continue reading →

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