Author Archives: charlesbcochran

Earth-like planet discovered

Posted on April 27, 2013 by charlesbcochran

Very recently, on April 23 of this year, astronomer Eric Agol has discovered a very Earth-like planet 1,200 light years away. Through a very complex algorithm Agol had created, he had found this planet orbiting a star in a habitable … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Class, Science | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Earth-like planet discovered

Where are the aliens?!

Posted on April 27, 2013 by charlesbcochran

Many years ago, the possibility that aliens exist always seemed fictional. Although this possibility seemed negligible, there always seemed to be the hope for their existence. Humans have sworn through time to have seen UFOs, or extraterrestrial life, trying to … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Aliens, Class | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Where are the aliens?!

Creating Life

Posted on April 9, 2013 by charlesbcochran

You might think this is Earth, but this is something much more intriguing……… Many years from now, humanity will be threatened by a plethora of factors that will cause the inevitable. Humans will have to seek refuge somewhere other than … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Class | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Creating Life

Finding Exoplanets – Gravitational Microlensing

Posted on April 8, 2013 by charlesbcochran

The search for exoplanets is difficult. Even more so when the method of gravitational microlensing is used. Back in the day, Einstein proved the existence of gravitational lensing. Basically what happens is when a distant and close star are aligned … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Class | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Finding Exoplanets – Gravitational Microlensing

Pluto’s Atmosphere

Posted on March 19, 2013 by charlesbcochran

Recent studies show that Pluto’s Atmosphere may be much different than originally thought. Updated and modern models now show that Pluto’s atmosphere extends so far that molecules can be deflected onto it’s moon, Charos. This atmosphere would extend 6,500 miles … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Class | Tagged , | Comments Off on Pluto’s Atmosphere

Space Travel: Warp Speed?

Posted on March 19, 2013 by charlesbcochran

In the popular space flicks Star Wars and Star Trek often it is seen when ships enter “warp” speed: Travelling faster than the speed of the light to zip around the universe. While the sound barrier alone used to seem … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Class | Tagged , | Comments Off on Space Travel: Warp Speed?

White Holes?

Posted on February 20, 2013 by charlesbcochran

The idea of a black hole has been along for a long time, as a region in space having a gravitational field so intense that no matter can escape from it. These regions have not been directly discovered so to … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Class | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on White Holes?

The European Extremely Large Telescope

Posted on February 17, 2013 by charlesbcochran

Telescopes are essential for astronomy to progress, as the only information available for this science is the light that the universe provides us. Naturally, it makes sense that being able to see the light from objects as clearly as possible … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Class | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on The European Extremely Large Telescope

Historical Astronomers in Context

Posted on February 4, 2013 by charlesbcochran

Johannes Kepler (1571 – 1630) Johannes Kepler Bio Figured out how to explain the motions of the planets. Figured this out with three laws: 1) Planets move in elliptical orbits around the sun with the sun positioned at one of … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Class, Historical | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Historical Astronomers in Context

Know your constellations, impress your friends!

Posted on January 27, 2013 by charlesbcochran

When observing the night sky, most usually it is when going home from a late practice or study session around 10-midnight. One can always look up and be able to spot Orion and the belt, and look further up to … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Class | Tagged , | Comments Off on Know your constellations, impress your friends!