Category Archives: Observables

things we can see from Earth using our eyeballs or telescopes

On This Day in Astronomy History…

Posted on April 29, 2018 by maxflorsheim

  On April 27th, 1961, fifty-seven years ago, NASA launched Explorer 11 into space. This satellite held the first gamma-ray telescope to go into space. Gamma rays are the wavelength of light with the highest energy levels. These wavelengths can originate from sources such as supernova explosions, supermassive blackholes, and solar flares. While scientists had […] Continue reading →

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Are Viruses the Missing Piece in Astrobiology?

Posted on April 27, 2018 by maxflorsheim

Despite being the most abundant form of life on Earth, viruses and their dormant state known as virions, are often left out the conversation in identifying life outside this place. However, a group of scientists are now calling for this to change. Noting that the term virus is only used six times within NASA’s 250-paged […] Continue reading →

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The Fermi Paradox

Posted on April 23, 2018 by Michael Natinsky

The basis of the Fermi Paradox is that the probability of another intelligent civilization existing in the universe is so high considering the number of stars and the fact that each star has on average one planet, but this means that the probability of us finding evidence for such is also so high. The Drake … Continue reading The Fermi Paradox → Continue reading →

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Jupiter As Never Seen Before

Posted on April 9, 2018 by maxflorsheim

Juno, NASA’s space probe orbiting Jupiter, has just completed it’s fourth flyby of the jovial planet. In doing so, it sent back surprising images which revealed new features of Jupiter. Specifically, the images changed scientist’s previous perception of the planet’s interior composition and structure, as well as its weather patterns. In studying massive cyclone’s captured […] Continue reading →

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Halley’s Comet

Posted on April 9, 2018 by Michael Natinsky

  Halley’s Comet is named after the English astronomer Edmond Halley who first believed that there were three separate comets during the years from 1531 to 1682. He then discovered that all three of these appearances were the same comet. Edmond was the first to prove that comets could orbit the sun. It travels around … Continue reading Halley’s Comet → Continue reading →

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The Dragon Storm

Posted on April 4, 2018 by Xave

In a world where the Sun is but a mere speck in the sky, where one day is 10 Earth … More Continue reading →

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European-Extremely Large Telescope

Posted on February 13, 2018 by terranojm

The European Southern Observatory began construction of the European-Extremely Large Telescope (E-ELT) back in 2014. This telescope is on track to be the world’s largest optical and infrared telescope by the time it is completed in 2024, thus living up to its name. The E-ELT will include a main mirror that is 128 feet in … Continue reading “European-Extremely Large Telescope” Continue reading →

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The Bighorn Medicine Wheel

Posted on February 12, 2018 by alcottastr2110

Bighorn Medicine Wheel (View from above)   It is very interesting to think about ancient cultures that studied astronomy hundreds or even thousands of years ago. Among these cultures were the Native American tribes. Native Americans built structures, now known as medicine wheels, in places across what is now the US. One of the most … Continue reading The Bighorn Medicine Wheel → Continue reading →

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Tides and their effect on human life

Posted on February 11, 2018 by Michael Natinsky

People around the world aim to predict the highest and lowest tides using tide tables. Spring tides happen due to the gravitational pull from both the moon and sun. When the moon and sun are pulling from the same direction, the tide is more intense and this is called a spring tide. This usually occurs … Continue reading Tides and their effect on human life → Continue reading →

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Blog 2: Mont Saint Michel Abbey Tides

Posted on February 9, 2018 by battismm

The Mont Saint Michel Abbey was built in the 11th century on an island in Normandy, on the north coast of France. The island formed when the landscaped was eroded and granite outcrops remained. Medieval pilgrims nicknamed it, “St. Michael in peril of the sea” because of the extreme changes between high and low tides. … Continue reading Blog 2: Mont Saint Michel Abbey Tides Continue reading →

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