Tag Archives: astro201

Why do we associate stars with being white?

Posted on March 14, 2013 by zoodrey

If you asked your neighbor what colors the stars in the sky are, 9/10 (with the 10th probably being an astronomer) would answer white. Why do we associate stars with being white? They actually emit all colors of the rainbow; the color emitted is based on the temperature of the star. So, you may think … Continue reading » Continue reading →

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Mars Suitable for Life

Posted on March 13, 2013 by Megan C

NASA scientists have just finished analyzing a sample of rock Curiosity drilled last month, and the results are certainly promising for the theory that Mars once was home to life. In the sample, they found elements like carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur, all of which are essential for life as we know it.  This sample […] Continue reading →

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The World Will End in Ice

Posted on February 28, 2013 by theskyisbeautifultonight

I’m fascinated by the end of the universe.  It’s a pretty interesting mental exercise, theorizing about how everything might end (and us with it), especially since I definitely won’t be around to see any of those theories come to fruition.  Of course, I have a favorite theory, that being the “Heat death of the universe”. […] Continue reading →

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500 Days of…Solitude

Posted on February 21, 2013 by theskyisbeautifultonight

European Space Agency So this piece of news is a bit old, but I think its worth talking about: we’re one step closer to intersolar travel!  I’m not talking about a probe or rover, however.  In this case I’m talking about things of a human nature.  From 2007 – 2011, in a cooperative effort between […] Continue reading →

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The Power of the Telescope

Posted on February 20, 2013 by jhughes216

History The first known telescopes came into invention sometime in 1608 by Dutch glass makers who had become quite skilled in making lens. In 1609 an Italian physicist and astronomer named Galileo decided to use this invention to look into the heavens. While it was rudimentary compared to the telescopes of today, this new tool […] Continue reading →

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Why are polarized sunglasses helpful?

Posted on February 20, 2013 by zoodrey

What do polarized sunglasses do differently than regular sunglasses? Polarized sunglasses affect the direction of light reflection. We know that light travels in waves in a random assortment of direction. Polarization is all of the horizontal reflection of light off of reflective surfaces. When light hits an object, it will reflect parallel to the surface. … Continue reading » Continue reading →

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Happy Valentine’s Day! I bought you a Star!! <3

Posted on February 20, 2013 by zoodrey

Your very own Star! Websites exist that allow you to buy a loved one a star.. often for as low as $14.95, such as this one. You even get to choose from different gift packages to satisfy all your star naming cravings. That must really be a good way to win a girl over… buy … Continue reading » Continue reading →

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Pink Light

Posted on February 20, 2013 by Elizabeth Merriman

There are many interesting things about light, particularly those wavelengths we cannot see.  Looking at the light coming off of the Earth, we see what looks like a black body curve, but with chunks missing where greenhouse gasses absorb light.   … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Gravity around the Solar System

Posted on February 20, 2013 by Elizabeth Merriman

In class, we looked at why an astronaut experiences weightlessness in the space station, even though the force of gravity is not significantly less than on the surface of the Earth.  This is because the space station is falling at the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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The Webb Space Telescope: the Future of Viewing the Past

Posted on February 20, 2013 by zvgio

Every time you look at the stars , you are looking back in time. The universe is a big place and light takes time to move through it, so if you’re currently admiring Polaris, the photons hitting your eyes have been traveling for about 434 years to reach you. That may seem like a long […] Continue reading →

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