Category Archives: Class

Blog 8: Solar Systems

Posted on December 9, 2024 by Catherine Sack

From this course, the endless amount of planets, comets, stars, etc. shocked me the most. Our solar system is so much more than just the 8 planets. I learned about numerous objects and history that is still in our solar system to this day. Also, learning about geological activity introduced me to the fact that […] Continue reading →

Posted in Class | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Blog 8: Solar Systems

Astrobiology

Posted on December 8, 2024 by Catherine Sack

Astrobiology is defined as the study of life in the universe. This includes the universe’s origin, future, and evolution. It includes techniques ranged from astronomy, geology, chemistry, and biology. Studies include not just within Earth, but outside on other planets as well. One of its main focuses is life outside of Earth. This field of […] Continue reading →

Posted in Class | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Astrobiology

Astro2110 Reflection

Posted on December 8, 2024 by Justinc

I learned many things about the solar system this semester. The topic I learned that was the most surprising to me was the composition of the Jovian planets. Despite being known as gas giants, Jupiter and Saturn are mostly composed of liquid and metallic hydrogen. Furthermore, although Uranus and Neptune is largely made from gaseous […] Continue reading →

Posted in Class | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Astro2110 Reflection

Is There Life Outside Earth?

Posted on December 8, 2024 by Justinc

A common question many people have asked is if there is life outside Earth and in the Milky Way Galaxy. Current observations and technology have not progressed enough to give a conclusive answer to this exciting and concerning question however people are still searching. One astrophysicist/astrobiologist named Frank Drake came up with an equation to […] Continue reading →

Posted in Class | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Is There Life Outside Earth?

Beyond The Solar System (ASTR 2110)

Posted on December 8, 2024 by Matthew Marcus

One thing that surprised me from this course was learning how gravity rounds out and differentiates the interior layers of planets. I suppose I had never really considered how the planets in our solar system formed, and I must have assumed that denser material simply gathered first and less dense material collected on top of […] Continue reading →

Posted in Aliens, Class, Science, SolarSystem | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Beyond The Solar System (ASTR 2110)

Blog 8 Culmination Post

Posted on December 5, 2024 by Elias Ibrahim

dwarf planets One of the most interesting things I learned in this class was the sheer amount of dwarf planets are solar system is home to. For the longest time I have only considered Pluto and Ceres. When I found there was many dwarf planets as well as 5 main ones I just found it […] Continue reading →

Posted in Class | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Blog 8 Culmination Post

The Fermi Paradox

Posted on December 5, 2024 by Elias Ibrahim

outer space The physicist Enrico Fermi once asked the question “Where is everyone?” on the topic of extra terrestial life. The Fermi Paradox comes from the idea that if the universe is so old and vast why haven’t we found clear evidence of life elsewhere in the universe. When this thought is taken further it […] Continue reading →

Posted in Aliens, Class, Science | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on The Fermi Paradox

Astronomy Reflection

Posted on December 5, 2024 by Alekzander Waller

Picture Source What have you learned from this course that surprised you the most?Why did it surprise you? The part of this course that surprised me the most was everything relating to spectroscopy. I was very intrigued that astronomers could figure out all of this information about a planet just from what is emitted (or […] Continue reading →

Posted in Class, Science, Stars | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Astronomy Reflection

Final Post

Posted on December 5, 2024 by Michael

I think the most surprising thing this course has taught me is just how different the different planets in our solar system are. Prior to this, I would have guessed that the planets and objects in our solar system are pretty similar in both current characteristics and formation. But I was surprised to find out […] Continue reading →

Posted in Class, General, Instruments | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Final Post

Tardigrades and extraterrestrial life

Posted on December 5, 2024 by Michael

I first saw a picture of a tardigrade when I was a child, and even then, I was fascinated. I prefer the more affectionate term “water bear”, and these cute little “micro-animals” are a classic example of just how resilient life can be. As we briefly discussed in class, tardigrades have survived exposure to outer […] Continue reading →

Posted in Class, Moons, Science | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Tardigrades and extraterrestrial life