Author Archives: Mackenna Guadagnoli

Blog 2: Ancient Mayan Astronomy

Posted on February 13, 2024 by Mackenna Guadagnoli

Thousands of years before telescopes and computers, the ancient Mayans had the ability to predict eclipses and track retrograde motion. They are some of the most advanced astronomers of the ancient world. Astronomy was a central part of Mayan culture. Calendars were based on the movements of the Sun, moon, and planets and festivals, rituals, and […] Continue reading →

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Blog 1: Asymmetry of the Moon

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Mackenna Guadagnoli

By looking at the image above, it’s clear to see that the dark splotches we’ve come to associate with our closest cosmic neighbor, the Moon, are only seen on one side! The farside of the moon is much more uniform with a lot more craters than the side we see. This stark difference has puzzled […] Continue reading →

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Blog 0: Introduction

Posted on January 17, 2024 by Mackenna Guadagnoli

Hello! I’m Mackenna, a sophomore Earth and Environmental Sciences major with plans to minor in Astronomy and Anthropology! The picture above is of one of my favorite places: Goblin Valley State Park! It’s a really cool place in Utah filled with mushroom-shaped rock formations. It’s also designated as an International Dark Sky Park, so the […] Continue reading →

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