Tag Archives: astro2110

Throwing Rockets Into Space Using A Skyhook

Posted on May 1, 2022 by josephmaquino9

One of the biggest issues with rocket launches today is the inefficiency of converting fuel into thrust. Because of this, rocket payloads have to be small compared to the amount of space required for fuel. For instance, the SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket carries a total weight of fuel of ~411 tonnes (the equivalent weight of […] Continue reading →

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Bracewell “Messanger” Probes

Posted on May 1, 2022 by josephmaquino9

In 1960, Ronald Bracewell made public his idea of a “Bracewell probe” that was capable of both identifying and exchanging information with intelligent alien civilizations. These probes would be sent toward different star systems and place themselves within a near-circular orbit in a star’s habitable zone. Using solar energy from the star, the probe would […] Continue reading →

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KB’s Astronomical Review

Posted on April 30, 2022 by Karan Bhardwaj

Over the course of the semester, I have significantly improved my understanding of space, the stars within, and the 8 planets of our solar system. It was particularly interesting to me discussing the formation of the solar system, as I had no idea there were so many unique events that shaped our solar system to […] Continue reading →

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The Fermi Paradox & Possible Implications

Posted on April 30, 2022 by Karan Bhardwaj

Are we alone? This sentence, likely thought by many humans around the world and throughout history in hundreds of languages, brings forth a profound question. Also known as the Fermi Paradox, the search for intelligent extraterrestrial life has captured many minds. If life is so plentiful here on Earth, and there are so many habitable […] Continue reading →

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Barophiles

Posted on April 30, 2022 by solarelizabeth

The barophiles we have found are tiny organisms, usually bacteria, living in areas with intense pressure. They are found on ocean floors where pressure can reach about 400 atm. For reference, the atmospheric pressure at sea level is 1 atm. Some barophiles known as obligate barophiles cannot survive in low pressures. The barophile Halomonas salaria […] Continue reading →

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The Hubble Space Telescope turns 32!

Posted on April 30, 2022 by gcomartin

On April 24, 2022, the Hubble Space Telescope celebrated its 32nd birthday. To commemorate the celebration of the most famed telescope man has ever seen, the team behind the telescope released an image of Hickson Compact Group 40, the shot containing 5 whole galaxies, taken by Hubble late last year. Nearly all of the galaxies […] Continue reading →

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Bracewellvon Neumann Probes

Posted on April 30, 2022 by solarelizabeth

Human space travel is slow and each mission must be meticulously planned. What if there were a way we could learn more about the universe more efficiently? John Von Neumann, in charge of computing the design of a bomb, wondered how else he could use his computing skills. He developed the idea of self-reproducing automation. […] Continue reading →

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Blog#8 Final Thoughts regarding Drake equation 

Posted on April 29, 2022 by Irene

Throughout this semester of study, I have been convinced that life on Earth is unique. Although we have only studied the solar system in-depth, the volcanic IO, the freezing Pluto, and the variety of planets and moons with different extremes of weather have furthered my awareness of how unique Earth’s conditions are. Even though planets […] Continue reading →

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How the Creators of “Interstellar” Came up with what a Black Hole Should Look Like

Posted on April 29, 2022 by timmyshaheen

As Christopher Nolan was creating “Interstellar,” he wanted to make sure that the film was as scientifically accurate as possible, so he hired a theoretical physicist named Kip Thorne to help. The largest contribution that he had to the creation of the film was his help rendering the stunning black hole. It was Thorne that […] Continue reading →

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Blog#7 The Fermi Paradox

Posted on April 29, 2022 by Irene

The famous Fermi paradox is the conflict between the lack of clear, obvious evidence for alien life and various high estimates for their existence (Wikipedia). Since the Universe has an almost infinite amount of stars and planets, given that the chance of having intelligent life is not zero (there is Earth and human beings), it is almost […] Continue reading →

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