Category Archives: Observables

things we can see from Earth using our eyeballs or telescopes

Apparent Retrograde Motion: what it is, and what it isn’t

Posted on February 10, 2019 by luanaisaac1125

One thing that must be said right away: retrograde motion is not the same thing as apparent retrograde motion. Retrograde motion generally denotes ‘backwards’ motion, and the specifics depend on how the term is being used. A retrograde orbit refers to an object orbiting in the opposite direction that the thing it orbits around is … Continue reading Apparent Retrograde Motion: what it is, and what it isn’t → Continue reading →

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Retrograde motion probably isn’t ruining your life

Posted on February 10, 2019 by victoriayaden

It seems that anytime Mercury enters its period of retrograde motion, the Internet starts freaking out because according to astrologers, Mercury retrograde is bad for communication. Although this is a nice scapegoat for any misfortune one might encounter, there is no scientific evidence that this phenomenon has an effect on your day-to-day life. So what […] Continue reading →

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Ancient Achievements

Posted on February 10, 2019 by reallyroyalqueen

In other religions, there was no need for astronomy except for the creation of the calendar. Ancient Pagans used Stonehenge to determine their calendar. In Early Judaism, they created their calendar. For Christianity, although it helped dictate holidays, it had pushback from philosophy and scientific observations. Astronomy played a major role in early Islam. Besides … Continue reading Ancient Achievements → Continue reading →

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“Current” Events on Tides

Posted on February 9, 2019 by josiahgray12

SaltstraumenVideo Blocks The strait at Saltstraumen is one of the most interesting straits on the planet, and it has to do with more than just its notable beauty. Saltstraumen is the location of one of the strongest tidal currents in the world. When the tides come in and out from the large bodies of water … Continue reading “Current” Events on Tides → Continue reading →

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Bright Lights (and not much else)

Posted on January 21, 2019 by jiayu

Matchbox Twenty’s Bright Lights. CeeLo Green’s Bright Lights Bigger City. My personal favorite is Sara Bareilles’s Bright Lights and Cityscapes. There is no shortage of songs about… Read more “Bright Lights (and not much else)” Continue reading →

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Blog #1: Solar Eclipse Calendar

Posted on January 21, 2019 by Katie

A solar eclipse is when the moon comes between the sun and the Earth and completely or partially blocks the light from the sun. This can only occur when the moon is at the nodes of its orbit and when its precession allows it to be in this position while being between the sun and … Continue reading Blog #1: Solar Eclipse Calendar → Continue reading →

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Stellarium: a Great Planetarium Program

Posted on January 19, 2019 by Jiayu Kang

Wanna know what the sky looks like today? Here’s an amazing computer program where you can know everything about the sky without walking out of the door! It is simple to download Stellarium at stellarium.org and follow the instructions. After you install the program and open it, you can input any time and location you want … Continue reading Stellarium: a Great Planetarium Program → Continue reading →

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Eclipses and Wildlife

Posted on January 18, 2019 by Jonathan Roberts

It’s an incredible experience to observe a solar eclipse, but not only for the eclipse itself. A large portion of the animal kingdom reacts to solar eclipses, some of them in surprisingly unique ways. A 2001 study of African wildlife showed that hippos feel like their daily routine has been disrupted, and act nervously after … Continue reading Eclipses and Wildlife → Continue reading →

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The Total Lunar Eclipse of January 2019!

Posted on January 15, 2019 by drgrundstrom

This total lunar eclipse will be the last non-partial one Earthlings can observe until 2021. There will be several partial lunar eclipses, but no totals :-/ Total lunar eclipses are the neat ones because the Moon turns yellow-y, then orange-y, then copper-y, then red! Note that this eclipse is going to be LONG – FIVE […] Continue reading →

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Where is “I Love Lucy” Now?

Posted on April 30, 2018 by Xave

She’s definitely past Proxima Centauri. On October 15, 1951, CBS first broadcasted a new show across the world.  I Love Lucy … More Continue reading →

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