Category Archives: Physics

MAGNETAR

As you know, neutron stars are the result massive stars (many times more massive the the sun) collapsing inward on themselves, leaving behind an extremely dense and energetic core. As you might expect these stars are extremely energetic — what you might not know is that sometimes as a result of the in-falling star materials … Continue reading MAGNETAR Continue reading

Posted in Physics | Tagged , , | Comments Off on MAGNETAR

Yep, Physics Works. – Blog2

Physics is all around us in our daily lives, it’s the reason things…are the way they are. The reason we get from point A to point B and exist on this Earth the way we do. And yet some people don’t buy it, and it drives certain professors to use this demonstration: While entertaining, it … Continue reading Yep, Physics Works. – Blog2 Continue reading

Posted in Physics | Tagged , | Comments Off on Yep, Physics Works. – Blog2

Blog #2: Special Relativity

Albert Einstein was one of the most influential thinkers regarding the fabric of the universe. Einstein’s major contribution to modern physics was his theory of relativity. The first part of this revolutionary idea was his special theory of relativity. Published in 1905, it established two major points: the laws of physics are the same in … Continue reading Blog #2: Special Relativity Continue reading

Posted in Class, Physics | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Blog #2: Special Relativity

Tidal Forces and Black Holes

Tidal forces on Earth are caused by the uneven gravitational pull from the moon (and less from the sun) on opposite sides of the planet. But what are tidal forces like for objects near a black hole, a celestial object we are unable to see or explore? The information scientists have collected on black holes … Continue reading Tidal Forces and Black Holes Continue reading

Posted in Class, Light, Physics | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Tidal Forces and Black Holes

Gravity’s Effect On Everything

Gravity has an affect on nearly everything in the entire universe. From galaxies, to solar systems, to planets and their moons, and even on the planets themselves (like the tides), if there are objects with mass then gravity is present. Newton’s Universal Law of Gravitation explains the effect of gravity between objects. Newton’s Law says … Continue reading Gravity’s Effect On Everything Continue reading

Posted in Class, Physics | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Gravity’s Effect On Everything

The Universal Law of Gravitation

  Newton’s universal law of gravitation is a fundamental aspect of modern science. The law states that every mass is attracted to every other mass through a force known as gravity. The strength of the gravitational force between any two objects is directly proportional to the product of their masses, which means that increasing the … Continue reading The Universal Law of Gravitation Continue reading

Posted in Class, Physics | Tagged , , | Comments Off on The Universal Law of Gravitation

Tides and the Limits of Human Understanding

This story begins where so many great ones do (including the unnecessarily long URL of my blog) – by making fun of Bill O’Reilly: Like many people. Bill can’t grasp how the tides operate. And, in his defense, the explanation isn’t exactly obvious to the layperson. As the moon orbits Earth, its gravitational influence produces … Continue reading Tides and the Limits of Human Understanding Continue reading

Posted in Moons, Outreach, Physics | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Tides and the Limits of Human Understanding

Can we travel at the speed of light?

How fast is light? Nothing on earth is known to move faster, and in my opinion, we are actually very fortunate to be able to measure it. Aside the fact that light enables us to see, I am appreciative of it even more because if it were to get any faster by any stretch, astronomers … Continue reading Can we travel at the speed of light? Continue reading

Posted in Light, Physics, Space Travel | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Can we travel at the speed of light?

The OORT CLOUD and You

You might find yourself looking at a (to-scale) diagram of the planets of the solar system (and Pluto), such as the following: and think to yourself “Wow, Pluto is so much farther out from the sun than the Earth is. The solar system is so massive!”. And while you would be correct in your statement, … Continue reading The OORT CLOUD and You Continue reading

Posted in Class, Physics, Small SS Objects | Tagged , , | Comments Off on The OORT CLOUD and You

Expanding Our Minds: The Science Behind the Expansion of the Universe

You’ve probably heard of the name Hubble before. “Hey, isn’t that that big telescope that’s out in space taking pictures of the universe?” And, you would be right if you did ask such a question. But, like many things that are named and sent to space, these names have a meaning. The history of the… Continue Reading → Continue reading

Posted in Physics, Space Travel | Tagged | Comments Off on Expanding Our Minds: The Science Behind the Expansion of the Universe