Tag Archives: astr201

The Culture of Solar Eclipses

Posted on January 24, 2015 by alyssasolarblog

While we discussed the science behind solar eclipses and totality in class on Wednesday, I wanted to explore the culture and lore behind solar eclipses. Total solar eclipses are very rare: at any particular location on earth, a total solar eclipse will only be visible once every 360 years! However, many “eclipse chasers” are undaunted by … Continue reading The Culture of Solar Eclipses → Continue reading →

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The Culture of Solar Eclipses

Posted on January 24, 2015 by alyssasolarblog

While we discussed the science behind solar eclipses and totality in class on Wednesday, I wanted to explore the culture and lore behind solar eclipses. Total solar eclipses are very rare: at any particular location on earth, a total solar eclipse will only be visible once every 360 years! However, many “eclipse chasers” are undaunted by … Continue reading The Culture of Solar Eclipses → Continue reading →

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Introducing Me

Posted on January 12, 2015 by alyssasolarblog

This statue (which is super climbable!) can be found in a Benedictine monastery on the mountain of Montserrat in Spain. It represents a stairway to the heavens. To me, this statue demonstrates humanity’s desire to transcend both earthly circumst… Continue reading →

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First Solar System Post

Posted on January 10, 2015 by dillonkoval

Hi all, This is an aerial photograph of a state park about 30 minutes from the small town I call home (about 3000 people). I specifically remember watching a meteor shower from this beach one night when I was younger. That was easily one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen. Continue reading →

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The Pleiades Myth

Posted on April 9, 2014 by haydenwalling

In Greek Mythology the pleiades are seven daughters of the Titan Atlas and the nymph Pleione. They were said to be extremely beautiful and served as companions to the goddess Artemis. When their father was forced to carry the weight of the world for all eternity the great hunter Orion began to pursue them. Orion […] Continue reading →

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The Largest body not to get the planetary nod

Posted on April 8, 2014 by haydenwalling

Ganymede is the largest body in the solar system not to receive the distinction of being a planet ranking at number 9 in size for the solar system. Larger than even mercury, Ganymede is approximately 41.3% the radius of Earth yet strangely is comprised out of only 2.5% its mass. The ultra light moon lacks […] Continue reading →

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Major discovery in astrophysics announced 3/17/14

Posted on March 17, 2014 by haydenwalling

http://www.space.com/25090-big-bang-gravity-waves-discovered-video.html Today an astrophysicist team based in antarctica claimed they have found the first tangible evidence for gravitational waves from the beginning of the universe. These waves provide a convincing argument for the inflating universe and the big bang theory in ways previously not thought possible. Gravitational waves are a phenomenon predicted by Einstein’s relativity […] Continue reading →

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Voyager 1 Spacecraft has Left the Solar System

Posted on March 17, 2014 by haydenwalling

http://www.space.com/22752-voyager-1-goes-interstellar-solar-system-boundary-passed-video.html As of August 25th 2012 the human race pushed one of its own creations beyond the range of the solar system. The 36 year long journey of the probe has brought it beyond anything else that has ever intentionally come from our planet. Scientists confirm this occurence using plasma data STILL being sent from […] Continue reading →

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Voyager 1 Spacecraft has Left the Solar System

Posted on March 17, 2014 by haydenwalling

http://www.space.com/22752-voyager-1-goes-interstellar-solar-system-boundary-passed-video.html As of August 25th 2012 the human race pushed one of its own creations beyond the range of the solar system. The 36 year long journey of the probe has brought it beyond anything else that has ever intentionally come from our planet. Scientists confirm this occurence using plasma data STILL being sent from […] Continue reading →

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Planetary Resources Asteroid Mining Mission

Posted on February 17, 2014 by haydenwalling

There are over 1500 near earth asteroids that are being considered by Planetary Resources and other companies like it and virtually all of them contain things of value. Whether it is the raw materials for fuel and construction, or precious metals that outsize the current stores on earth, asteroids have the greatest promise for making […] Continue reading →

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