Tag Archives: technology

The Telescope of the “Future”

Posted on March 15, 2020 by 2xchampions

Living up to its futuristic shape, James Webb Space Telescope is indeed a telescope of “future”: NASA has delayed its launch so many times that this telescope seems to only exist in the future. Jokes aside, the JWST carries with itself enormous scientific potential: it is supposed to be 100 times stronger than the HubbleContinue reading “The Telescope of the “Future”” Continue reading →

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Fusion on Earth

Posted on March 9, 2020 by gabezharovtothemoon

In conversations surrounding the transition from fossil fuels to green energy, solar, wind, and biofuels are the most common alternatives that are brought up. Solar energy, as the name implies, comes from the sun, but wind energy and biofuels made from energy crops are ultimately also derived from converted solar power. But what if weContinue reading “Fusion on Earth” Continue reading →

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Spectroscopy and Space

Posted on February 9, 2020 by gabezharovtothemoon

Although Isaac Newton’s most famous contributions to astronomy are his laws of motion and gravitation, which he published in Principia, Newton also founded modern spectroscopy by publishing his second work, Opticks. Spectroscopy is an essential tool for astronomers because it allows them to not only analyze the presence of certain chemical elements, but also physicalContinue reading “Spectroscopy and Space” Continue reading →

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WFIRST: The Newest Vanguard of the Mission to Understand Dark Energy

Posted on February 8, 2020 by Dan Pitagora

At some point this decade, a new space observatory will be launched into orbit; one unlike any that we have seen before with extraordinary equipment and capabilities. WFIRST, the Wide-Field InfraRed Survey Telescope, could potentially revolutionize what astronomers know about our universe and how it behaves by focusing on three major categories: dark energy, exoplanetContinue reading “WFIRST: The Newest Vanguard of the Mission to Understand Dark Energy” Continue reading →

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Introduction to various spacecraft propulsion methods

Posted on April 27, 2019 by Yihao Yan

Space propulsion is different from regular propulsion methods that deal with situations on the ground or in the air. It’s also different from launch propulsion which space propulsion methods exclusively deal with propulsion systems used in vacuum of space. Before introducing different propulsion methods, there are couple of concepts that are really important related to … Continue reading Introduction to various spacecraft propulsion methods → Continue reading →

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The Quest to Inhabit Mars

Posted on April 20, 2019 by kylebward

As a species, we need multiple paths to survival. One of which is living in space. With this in mind, companies like SpaceX have plans to colonize Mars. But why Mars? It is the next most habitable planet after Earth. It contains water, temperatures that are not too hot nor too cold, enough sunlight, ability … Continue reading The Quest to Inhabit Mars → Continue reading →

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Electric Propulsion

Posted on April 20, 2019 by kylebward

A propulsion method I was unaware of is electric propulsion (EP). An EP system consists of thruster components, propellant components, power components, and an optional pointing mechanism. Essentially, electric and magnetic fields react to charged particles in the rocket’s exhaust which accelerates charged particles that make up propellant. This requires less energy than chemical rockets … Continue reading Electric Propulsion → Continue reading →

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Hello Powehi

Posted on April 20, 2019 by Jiayu Kang

In the center of the galaxy M87, stars seem to orbit an invisible object. By observing the path of the stars, scientists concluded that there is a supermassive black hole that is dense enough to cause these motions. Although the black hole itself is invisible, we can still observe the ring of light bended by … Continue reading Hello Powehi → Continue reading →

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Future Exoplanet Research

Posted on April 10, 2019 by kylebward

The future of exoplanet research means not just the discovery of more exoplanets, but characterizing them. To do so, the European Space Agency (ESA) is launching the Characterizing Exoplanet Satellite (CHEOPS), the PLAnetary Transits and Oscillations of stars mission (PLATO), and the Atmospheric Remote-Sensing Infrared Exoplanet Large-survey mission (ARIEL). CHEOPS will observe bright stars with … Continue reading Future Exoplanet Research → Continue reading →

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Understanding Our Sun

Posted on March 12, 2019 by dayvon

On August 12, 2018 the Parker Solar Probe was launched. The mission of this probe is to investigate activity in the Sun’s corona in order to provide us with information that can help us understand more about the star and Earth’s connection to it. Analyzing the data being sent back will allow scientists to potentially … Continue reading Understanding Our Sun → Continue reading →

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