Monthly Archives: April 2018

Ceres: Smallest Dwarf Planet or Biggest Asteroid?

In 1801, Ceres was discovered by Father Giuseppe Piazzi, who believed it to be a planet or “new star.” Originally, Ceres was classified as a planet. However, after more objects were discovered in the asteroid belt, Ceres was demoted to an asteroid in the 1850s. Today, Ceres is classified as a dwarf planet. Ceres is … Continue reading Ceres: Smallest Dwarf Planet or Biggest Asteroid? Continue reading

Posted in Dwarf Planets | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Ceres: Smallest Dwarf Planet or Biggest Asteroid?

Ceres: Smallest Dwarf Planet or Biggest Asteroid?

In 1801, Ceres was discovered by Father Giuseppe Piazzi, who believed it to be a planet or “new star.” Originally, Ceres was classified as a planet. However, after more objects were discovered in the asteroid belt, Ceres was demoted to an asteroid in the 1850s. Today, Ceres is classified as a dwarf planet. Ceres is … Continue reading Ceres: Smallest Dwarf Planet or Biggest Asteroid? Continue reading

Posted in Dwarf Planets | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Ceres: Smallest Dwarf Planet or Biggest Asteroid?

What will black hole be eventually?

Among all the astro bodies, black hole is unique. We all know that black holes have strong gravitation effect that nothing, even including light, is able to escape from black hole. Then, a question arises and attracts me a lot – What will black hole be eventually after it absorbs a lot of matters? Will … Continue reading What will black hole be eventually? Continue reading

Posted in Outreach | Tagged , | Comments Off on What will black hole be eventually?

Halley’s Comet

Halley’s Comet is well-known to people and it might be the most famous comet in the world. However, people know it but most of people do not know what makes Comet Halley famous. In fact, Comet Halley is famous because it is the only short-period comet which regularly comes close to Earth and be visible … Continue reading Halley’s Comet Continue reading

Posted in SolarSystem | Tagged , | Comments Off on Halley’s Comet

The Giant Red Whale

In 2015, scientists discovered what they call the giant red whale on Pluto’s surface. This is simply a red part of Pluto that vaguely takes the shape of a whale. Their theory is that it was created by a giant impactor, most likely the same one that lead to Charon, Pluto’s large moon. We knew … Continue reading The Giant Red Whale Continue reading

Posted in Dwarf Planets, SolarSystem | Tagged , | Comments Off on The Giant Red Whale

Missing Dark Matter

There is an understanding that about 80 percent of the mass in the universe is made up of material that we cannot observe, and that matter is called dark matter. Although there is no direct evidence of dark matter, it must be present to hold the elements of the universe together. Recently, it was discovered … Continue reading Missing Dark Matter Continue reading

Posted in Galaxies | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Missing Dark Matter

On This Day in Astronomy History…

On this day, April 9th, 59 years ago in 1959, NASA introduced the world to their first ever astronauts, the Mercury 7.  A press conference was held in D.C. to announce the line up, and reveal America’s next move in the space race against the Soviet Union. This came a year after NASA had introduced […] Continue reading

Posted in Historical, Space Travel | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on On This Day in Astronomy History…

Life on Europa?

For thousands of years, humans have considered the possibility of life existing on other planets – specifically those in our own solar system. Perhaps one of the most prime candidates for harboring life in our Solar System (other than our own planet, of course) is Europa – one of Jupiter’s 4 largest moons. Europa, the […] Continue reading

Posted in Moons | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Life on Europa?

Orbital Decay and China’s Space Station

  All satellites in low Earth orbit will eventual fall victim to orbital decay.  Over time, a satellite will lose orbital energy through drag caused by friction with the atmosphere. Many large satellites, such as the ISS, employ small thrust to counter out the effects of orbital decay. However, as shown by China’s space station, … Continue reading Orbital Decay and China’s Space Station Continue reading

Posted in Physics | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Orbital Decay and China’s Space Station

Orbital Decay and China’s Space Station

  All satellites in low Earth orbit will eventual fall victim to orbital decay.  Over time, a satellite will lose orbital energy through drag caused by friction with the atmosphere. Many large satellites, such as the ISS, employ small thrust to counter out the effects of orbital decay. However, as shown by China’s space station, … Continue reading Orbital Decay and China’s Space Station Continue reading

Posted in Physics | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Orbital Decay and China’s Space Station