Tag Archives: Uncategorized

How Astronomical Are Our Chances of Finding Extraterrestrial Life?

Posted on April 27, 2016 by harperastronomyblog

I’ve always thought that we weren’t alone in the world–and my Astronomy class has really helped to confirm my thoughts. After studying the Drake Equation, it seems almost certain that intelligent life and life that could eventually communicate with us must exist. After all, the Earth is only 4.6 billion years old–a baby compared to […] Continue reading →

Posted in Aliens, Universe | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on How Astronomical Are Our Chances of Finding Extraterrestrial Life?

SETI – The “Wow!” Signal Today

Posted on April 27, 2016 by solarsystemjoe

Although SETI institute was founded in 1984, the search for extraterrestrial life concerned scientists for many years prior.  In 1977, Ohio State’s Big Ear radio telescope heard exactly what it had been searching for: the “Wow!” signal.  The radio telescope was attempting to detect radio waves around the three-star system, Chi Sagittarii, when it detected radio […] Continue reading →

Posted in Aliens | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on SETI – The “Wow!” Signal Today

A Semester Reflection

Posted on April 26, 2016 by lindseynestor

Taking astronomy this semester has been awesome. I’ve always loved space but had never previously had the chance to learn about it in a formal setting. It’s unfeasible for us humans to have a real understanding of the size of the universe – numbers like “billions of light-years” are impossible fully grasp when the only […] Continue reading →

Posted in Class | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on A Semester Reflection

God the Engineer of Life?

Posted on April 23, 2016 by jacquessolar

In Lawrence M. Krauss’s piece in the New Yorker, No, Astrobiology Has Not Made the Case for God, he responds to an article entitled Science Increasingly Makes the Case for God published in the Wall Street Journal by Eric Metaxas. In Metaxas’ piece, he writes about how miraculous and statistically infinitesimal the likelihood that life […] Continue reading →

Posted in Aliens | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on God the Engineer of Life?

Living the fast life: Kepler-70b

Posted on April 12, 2016 by d51blog

The Kepler spacecraft (which was feared lost earlier this week) has discovered a veritable treasure trove of exoplanets over its seven year mission. Some of these planets may even be habitable. Kepler-70b is decidedly not one of them. Kepler-70b is the closer of two terrestrial planets to KOI-55, a subdwarf star which was once a red giant. […] Continue reading →

Posted in Exoplanets | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Living the fast life: Kepler-70b

Are We Overdue for a Mass Extinction?

Posted on April 10, 2016 by mattsastronomyblog

People have argued about if and when the human race will die out on earth.  We have essentially taken ourselves out of the food chain, meaning that we won’t be hunted to extinction.  We have also made great strides in medicine making it unlikely that we will die out from disease.  It may seem improbable […] Continue reading →

Posted in Class, SolarSystem, Space Travel | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Are We Overdue for a Mass Extinction?

North Korean Space Program’s Latest Breakthrough in Propulsion Technology!

Posted on April 10, 2016 by nickwtheastronomer

Look out NASA, there’s a new kid on the block, and he’s got a shiny new toy. In a highly unprecedented act of transparency and openess, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea allowed members of the Associated Press inside access to their closely guarded Kim Il Sung proving grounds for the debut of their latest […] Continue reading →

Posted in Historical, Space Travel | Tagged , , | Comments Off on North Korean Space Program’s Latest Breakthrough in Propulsion Technology!

Kepler Concerns

Posted on April 10, 2016 by nickwtheastronomer

One of NASA’s most prized space probes may be in need of some roadside assistance after a scheduled Thursday communication session revealed the craft has entered emergency mode. The Kepler spacecraft was launched in 2009 and is equipped with telescopes and instruments critical to the discovery and analysis of extrasolar planets. Little is known so […] Continue reading →

Posted in Class, Space Travel, Universe | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Kepler Concerns

Jupiter’s Galilean Moons

Posted on April 10, 2016 by harperastronomyblog

Discovered by Galileo in 1610, Jupiter’s four largest moons are some of the most interesting worlds in our Solar System. “Volcanic Io”: Jupiter’s inner-most moon, Io, is the fourth largest moon in the solar system. It is also the most volcanically-active object in the Solar System, with over 400 active volcanoes. Large mountains cover its […] Continue reading →

Posted in Moons | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Jupiter’s Galilean Moons

The Demise of Pluto

Posted on April 10, 2016 by samihahplanet

  Left: Pluto Demoted, Right: Size Comparison The discovery of Pluto had scientists ecstatic. Far out in the distance was this tiny, freezing,  icy planet with moons! Then it was official: Pluto must be added to the list of planets. It’s round, orbits the Sun and has a posse of moons, what more could we need? […] Continue reading →

Posted in Historical, Observables | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on The Demise of Pluto