Tag Archives: astro201

My favorite tides

Posted on February 9, 2015 by drgrundstrom

DIFFERENTIALS!! :) During class today, I talked about tides and how there is a great deal of misinformation out there. My favorite websites for the astronomical explanation of tides are: A rigorously correct but a tiny bit snarky treatment – it’s my favorite: Tidal Misconceptions by Dr. Donald E. Simanek One of the links from […] Continue reading →

Posted in Physics, Terrestrials | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on My favorite tides

Earth or Mars?

Posted on February 9, 2015 by jclyncmp

This picture looks like something that could be taken on Earth, however it is not! This picture was taken by the Curiosity rover near the base of Mount Sharp. Mount Sharp, also know as Aeolis Mons, reaches a height of…

Continue reading →

Continue reading →

Posted in Science, Terrestrials | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Earth or Mars?

The World’s Largest Vaccuum

Posted on February 9, 2015 by jclyncmp

The world’s largest vacuum is located at NASA’s Space Power Facility in Ohio. In this video, a bowling ball and a feather are dropped together under the conditions of outer space to demonstrate the concept that objects will fall at…

Continue reading →

Continue reading →

Posted in Class, Historical, Physics | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on The World’s Largest Vaccuum

Project Blue Book

Posted on February 6, 2015 by Marissa LePore

Conspiracists, rejoice. After two decades of filing Freedom of Information Act requests for any information the US government has on UFOs and other weird sightings, the efforts of proclaimed UFO enthusiast John Greenwald have been fruitful. Last month the files were released and Greenwald posted the 130,000 pages of declassified material on his website, The Black […] Continue reading →

Posted in Aliens, Historical, Observables | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Project Blue Book

“Eppur si muove” … Maybe not

Posted on February 5, 2015 by Marissa LePore

“And yet it moves.” Legend has it that these were the words whispered by Galileo after he recanted his claim that the Earth orbits the Sun before the Catholic Church at his trial in 1633. The Church had threatened his life if he did not, so this story shows a 70 year old man not willing to […] Continue reading →

Posted in Historical, Public Policy | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on “Eppur si muove” … Maybe not

The Astronomical Origins of Stonehenge

Posted on February 5, 2015 by robbyks

Above is a photo of Stonehenge I took when I visited England the summer after freshman year of high school. I was so amazed by this structure. I wondered why it was built and what was its purpose. I did not know at the time, but many believe Stonehenge has connections to ancient astronomy. Archaeoastronomers are […] Continue reading →

Posted in Class, Historical, Science | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on The Astronomical Origins of Stonehenge

Galileo Galilei in a Historical Context

Posted on February 4, 2015 by davidhuang2015

Galileo Galilei (February 15, 1564 – January 8, 1642) Galileo was important for quite a few discoveries. His career in science began when he began to study as a mathematician. One of his largest contributions to astronomy was the discovery of the telescope. The telescope became a huge sensation. His refinement of the telescope allowed […] Continue reading →

Posted in Historical | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Galileo Galilei in a Historical Context

A Historical Time Frame of Galileo Galilei

Posted on February 4, 2015 by christophermfitzgerald

Galileo was instrumental to the development of astronomy because he was the first to use a telescope and publish his findings. His findings proved the heliocentric over the geocentric model which was a pivotal change in astronomy. He was considered … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Historical | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on A Historical Time Frame of Galileo Galilei

Historical Astronomers in Context

Posted on February 4, 2015 by serenakumar

Hello! For my homework assignment, I researched some basic information about Nicholas Copernicus, the Polish astronomer. Copernicus was born on February 19, 1473, and died on May 24, 1543. You can find more information on Copernicus’ life here! There were many fascinating events and people that lived during Copernicus’ lifetime. In 1492, when Copernicus was 19,… Continue reading →

Posted in Historical | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Historical Astronomers in Context

Historical Astronomers In Context

Posted on February 4, 2015 by farhannshabab

The astronomer I chose is  Johannes Kepler who lived from December 27, 1571 to November 15, 1630. Two historical events of the 16th century that I want to highlight are the St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre and the introduction of the Gregorian Calendar. In 1572, Saint Bartholomew’s Day Massacre took place in Paris. On 23-24 August, Catholics assassinated an […] Continue reading →

Posted in Historical | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Historical Astronomers In Context