Astronomers can measure the distance to about a billion stars using the same effect that lets you enjoy a 3D summer blockbuster.
Once In A Blue Moon
You might have heard that tonight’s full moon is a blue moon, since it is the second full moon in the same month. While this is the most common definition for “blue moon,” it is not the only definition, nor even the oldest.
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.
Place of Departure
Chajnantor means “place of departure,” or more poetically “place of ascension” in the Kunza language of the Atacama region. It is a plateau about 5000 meters (16,000 feet) above sea level. It’s elevation and arid climate makes for extremely difficult working conditions, but it also makes it perfect for the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array, or ALMA.
Under Your Skies
The Milky Way is visible from every point on Earth.
Open Skies
Observing time and data on major telescopes like ALMA are available to anyone, even you and me.
Moving Through a Dream
It’s 12:30 am as I write this. The day starting with meetings at AURA, and a tour of some of the facilities. After that long day we went to Cerro Mayu observatory to observe the southern sky. It was the first time I got to see Alpha Centauri and the Southern Cross with my own eyes. While I’m somewhat familiar …
The Road Goes Ever On
Thus begins a trip to observatories in Chile.