Author Archives: brynnabhall

Space Piglets

Posted on April 23, 2017 by brynnabhall

I almost fell out of my seat when I flipped the page in Cosmic Perspective and saw the crunched, grumpy looking face of the tardigrade. It had to be an artist representation, I thought, for nothing (on this planet) could really look like that. I was, obviously, completely wrong. Not only are these tiny animals … More Space Piglets Continue reading →

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The Social Implications of Interstellar Travel

Posted on April 23, 2017 by brynnabhall

It is likely that all of us have grown up with at least one media account of the final frontier, be that Star Wars, Star Trek, Martian, or even Men in Black. Because of the inherent human fascination with the notion of interstellar travel, with arguably the greatest (presently) unanswerable question known to our species, … More The Social Implications of Interstellar Travel Continue reading →

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Life: A Love Story

Posted on March 28, 2017 by brynnabhall

Sitting in my late-night astronomy lab last night, we watched a computer simulation (based completely on real, observed data) take us out as far into the universe as our understanding has gone. Starting in the Himalayas, Tibet, then Planet Earth, and rapidly, sooner than I thought possible, we were so far out of my realm … More Life: A Love Story Continue reading →

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Naming the Moons

Posted on March 27, 2017 by brynnabhall

For my mother’s 50th birthday, we bought her a star. Though arbitrary, I remember the immense amount of pressure that I felt when I was trying to give the star a name, knowing that (at least in our household) I was participating in the excavation of the final frontier, putting a little mark in my … More Naming the Moons Continue reading →

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The Solar Wind: Seeing with Eyes Shut

Posted on March 27, 2017 by brynnabhall

When thinking about outer space at a much more basic level, I remember being taught to think of the word “vacuum.” And as the narrator says in the video I watched, the space between planets is far from empty. A unique aspect of the sun’s weather known as the solar wind fills up some of … More The Solar Wind: Seeing with Eyes Shut Continue reading →

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Zero Gravity

Posted on February 7, 2017 by brynnabhall

For most children, at some point in time, the only logical career path in the entire world is astronaut. They usually say it with reverence, for the word is akin to something half way in between magician and alien, full of all the magic and surprises that only someone who hurdles through the final frontier … More Zero Gravity Continue reading →

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Archaeoastronomy: The Anthropology of Astronomy

Posted on February 5, 2017 by brynnabhall

On the Center for Archaeoastrony’s website, they differentiate their science as “the anthropology of astronomy” rather than “the history of astronomy.” By studying the influences that astronomy has had (frequently, it seems, through the study of archaeological sites) on the humans and cultures who were studying the stars and attempting to reason with that which … More Archaeoastronomy: The Anthropology of Astronomy Continue reading →

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Our Miniature History, the Cosmic Calendar, and Understanding One’s Place

Posted on February 2, 2017 by brynnabhall

When considering the greater span of history, starting with my first Astronomy class taught by Professor Weintraub “How Old Is the Universe?” the concept of the nature of time in space has fascinated me. I think part of this relates to the fact that I am a history major and a history buff, and therefore … More Our Miniature History, the Cosmic Calendar, and Understanding One’s Place Continue reading →

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The Beginning

Posted on January 17, 2017 by brynnabhall

Hello friends (and Dr. G!), I am so happy to be here and have figured out the start of the mysteries of WordPress. I am a history student currently working on research with a Vanderbilt professor, and am thrilled to be diving deeper into history. I am even more thrilled to be able to dive … More The Beginning Continue reading →

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