Everyone loves a good mystery. For space scientists, one of the more perplexing ones is known as the flyby anomaly.
Super Duper Lunar Eclipse
This weekend there will be a lunar eclipse. Not just any lunar eclipse, but one of the legendary “super Moon.” So what does it all mean?
Why Does Autumn Begin On Different Days of the Year?
This year Autumn begins on September 23, but that date can vary from the 21st to the 24th. So why doesn’t Autumn begin on the same day every year?
Is the Earth Really Round?
Whaddya mean?! Of course the Earth is round. It’s so mind numbingly obvious that the Earth is round. It’s an idea we rarely question. But suppose a curious child asked you to prove it. Pointing at a globe or a photograph isn’t enough for this young scientist. She wants to discover that the Earth is round for herself.
Using Lasers to Un-twinkle the Stars
While twinkling makes stars pretty to look at, it also blurs astronomical images, making it difficult to observe things in fine detail. Fortunately we have a technique that can basically un-twinkle the stars, known as adaptive optics.
Neutrinos From Outer Space!
Neutrinos are being detected from outer space, and that’s kind of a big deal.
Game of the Name
What’s in a name? Take, for example, the star GSC 0129-01873. It’s also known as HIP 27989, BD +07 1055, HD 39801, SAO 113271, and Alpha Orionis. Most commonly it’s known as Betelgeuse.
Zodiacal Light
It can only be seen in dark skies, either before sunrise or after sunset. It is more commonly observed before sunrise as a dim glow, which is why it is sometimes called the false dawn.
Under Your Skies
The Milky Way is visible from every point on Earth.