Category Archives: Class

The Fermi Paradox and Great Filters

Posted on May 4, 2021 by weatherbysofferings

We briefly discussed the Fermi Paradox in class. However, one major potential “explanation” of the paradox went undiscussed: the idea of various “great filters.” These great filters are supposedly things that naturally arise in the course of life’s and/or civilization’s development that prevent them from becoming long-lasting intelligent life forms. These could be a wideContinue reading “The Fermi Paradox and Great Filters” Continue reading →

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Space Exploration: History, Ethics, and Potentially-Conflicting Interests

Posted on May 4, 2021 by rightascensionanddeclinolan

But why, some say the Moon? Why choose this as our goal? And they may well ask, why climb the highest mountian [sic]? Why – 35 years ago – why fly the Atlantic? Why does Rice play Texas? We choose to go to the Moon, we choose to go to the Moon in this decadeContinue reading “Space Exploration: History, Ethics, and Potentially-Conflicting Interests” Continue reading →

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Protein and the Tardigrade

Posted on May 4, 2021 by wslopes

The poster child of extremophiles, the tardigrade, is well known for its abilities to survive the heights of the Himalayas and the vacuum of space. Also, it has the fitting nickname of the “water bear”, and the similarities to a bear might extend further past just looks. Tardigrades have been completely reanimated after being driedContinue reading “Protein and the Tardigrade” Continue reading →

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Culmination Reflection Post

Posted on May 4, 2021 by zhengjs1

After taking Astronomy 2110, not only has my perspective of our Solar System changed and widened, but also did my view on the universe as a whole. Perhaps one of the biggest eye-openers for me came near the beginning of the semester when we learned just how vast our Universe is as a whole. BeforeContinue reading “Culmination Reflection Post” Continue reading →

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Blog 7: Extremophiles

Posted on May 4, 2021 by mattj3

Extremophiles are organisms that thrive within severe abiotic environments while maintaining the ability to grow and reproduce. These organisms inhabit areas of extreme temperature, pressure, salinity, acidity, and radiation, surviving through environmentally defined adaptations. Extremophilic organisms are based within both prokaryotic and eukaryotic life, meaning their existence ranges throughout all domains of life. Through theContinue reading “Blog 7: Extremophiles” Continue reading →

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A New Hope (For Alien Life)

Posted on May 4, 2021 by connorrobbwilcox

Astronomy 2110 has been a real pleasure of a class to attend. Not only have I learned so much about Earth, but also about the rest of the solar system. I have discovered the secrets of our planet, the planets that are our neighbors, and our incredible star that I would have never known ifContinue reading “A New Hope (For Alien Life)” Continue reading →

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Monster from the Deep

Posted on May 4, 2021 by zhengjs1

Extremophiles are definitely some of the most persistent living beings. These microorganisms are able to survive in conditions regarding temperature, acidity, and/or chemical concentration beyond extreme that would prove fatal to almost all carbon-based life on Earth. While many extremophiles prove to look nightmarish, one type of extremophiles might give the others a run forContinue reading “Monster from the Deep” Continue reading →

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The Fermi Paradox

Posted on May 4, 2021 by hunterspiveyastr

If you were to ask different people what one of their biggest questions about our universe is, it’s pretty believable to think that one of the most common questions would be “Do aliens exist?”. This question is especially important in that it’s a question that no one really knows the answer to; whether or notContinue reading “The Fermi Paradox” Continue reading →

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Life on Europa?

Posted on May 4, 2021 by connorrobbwilcox

There is life in all forms throughout the world. Even in the most remote places with the most extreme conditions we have seen life not only survive but thrive. This makes us wonder, could there be life on possible habitable worlds? NASA put this to the test by conducting an infrared (IR) signature of oneContinue reading “Life on Europa?” Continue reading →

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Life on Earth

Posted on May 4, 2021 by lauryn28

In my last blog post I would like to discuss some of the things I’ve found most interesting in the course of the semester. As this class has come to an end, I’ve found myself more and more astounded by how our Solar System formed than ever before, specifically the ability of Earth to sustainContinue reading “Life on Earth” Continue reading →

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