Earth | Observations in Astronomy

How can NASA Defend Itself?

NASA has done a lot for human civilization over the past 50 years or so. It has introduced us to a wide variety of materials, and taught our scientists some incredible things about the world we live, and the vast expanses beyond this world. However, they do face some difficulty in defending themselves, due to the anonymity and sometimes obscurity of the discoveries they make, along with their unpredictability. This is why they have recently found their funding reduced.

Needless to say, NASA conducts a lot of research in collaboration with scientists all over the world. We know more about our sky and the universe surrounding us than we ever have before. However, much of this knowledge is esoteric and known only to a few people. NASA has never been especially good at tooting its own horn over the discoveries it makes. Without much press coverage, it can be very challenging to launch an effective sales pitch, which in turn leads to lessened funding for their endeavors.

Simply put, NASA lacks a sales person who can put drama, heroism and immediacy into the work the organization does. If they had such an individual, it might be easier to keep their funding increasing and the public clamoring for more missions and more knowledge. Unfortunately, most people are so stuck on Earth, the notion of being able to learn anything of any use from space travel seems absurd. For a lot of people, teflon and its ilk just are not that important. However, the very nature of discovery means that through denying NASA, we could all be denying ourselves some really wonderful things.

Filed Under: General, Science Tagged With: Earth, NASA, Needless, Space

The International Space Station: Preparation for a Mission to Mars

International Space Station
Since its human-test introduction in 2000, the International Space Station has tested the limits of the human-space experience. In November 2000, the first set of astronauts to call the Space Station home arrived for six months of space living. Since then, the station has been continuously inhabited by astronauts from various countries, with each set of astronauts living in the Space Station for six month stays.
The Space Station Basics
The station is equipped with all of the benefits of a space home: the spacecraft docking station, the living quarters and the research areas. However, the Space Station does not equip visitors with Earth’s standby — gravity — often. Instead, astronauts are tested on the psychological and physical affects procured during a lengthy non-gravity stay. Gravity is available when necessary.
While the astronauts are being tested on their responses to gravity-free living, they complete repairs, upgrades and scientific tests. Each six-month mission is planned to include some spacewalks to repair and upgrade materials aboard the station. These spacewalks enable the astronauts to test their own human reactions to walking in space and to working on items during a spacewalk.
Scientific tests, on the other hand, may be completed in the laboratories or during spacewalks. Each of these tests can center around many laboratory experiments. For example, the astronauts may grow food, test materials or experiment with medical tests (to name a few).
The Future
As NASA and international space programs move forward in the experiments, the new technologies tested will be used in future explorations, farther from Earth. For now, scientists prefer to test the technologies in an environment closer to home. In the future, these tests will be used in missions to Mars and other missions farther from Earth.
Additionally, the Space Station tests completed on the astronauts will identify the problems that could be encountered in longer flights. Any psychological or physical problems encountered in lengthy space stays are better discovered now (240 miles above Earth) than later (34.6 million miles from Earth).

Filed Under: Astronomy, Observatory Tagged With: Earth, International Space Station, NASA

We Are Anceint At Heart

Have you ever wondered the role that Astronomy has played in the history of mankind? Think about how the Inca’s built their pyramids, or Machu Picchu, the Egyptians, or even Idol worship. While these sound like foreign histories today, these ancient people groups have helped us understand the cyclical motion of the cosmos. We have discovered that their construction was based on annual or semi-annual astronomical phenomena. The basic understanding of our galaxies, and the patterns that exist within, have allowed us to enjoy simplicities like the calendar, predictable wave patterns, and even animal migration. The ancient peoples only understood that there was a larger force beyond their control that could control the magnitude of day and night. The people even took it so far as to provide human sacrifices to the “gods” that could control the earth they knew, as means of ensuring good crops, or blessings of good weather.
Today we understand that the basics of Astronomy, and the role that planets, solar systems, and entire cosmos has on our tiny planet called Earth. We have a concept of light years, distance from other planets, and have even been so brave as to leave Earth for research endeavors. The link between our logic now and the ancient people is not that unlike. Both civilizations, their and ours, have tried to unlock the secrets behind Space, discover scientific meaning, and even try to forecast the end of time based on trends seen in our own galaxy. We have Hubbell in the air taking pictures, and allowing us to see the infinite vastness that Space is. Other than the providing the sun human sacrifices, it seems as though humans are just as fascinated with the Cosmos today, as they were thousands of years ago, before they knew what to call the great void in the sky.

Filed Under: Astronomy Tagged With: Astronomy, Earth, Machu Picchu

Lunar Eclipse 2010

There is so much talk about the lunar eclipse that is taking place this year. In doing some research it is obvious why; this year, the eclipse it taking place on the same day that the winter solstice is occurring. For those that do not understand what this means, here is a little breakdown on what these two events mean. The winter solstice is when the earth is at is furthermost distance away from the sun. This usually is the day of the year that marks the first day of winter. If using a standard calendar, it will say on December 21st, that we will have our solstice.
The second important element is the lunar eclipse. A lunar eclipse is when the earth blocks the suns rays from reaching the moon, and therefore the moon is briefly blacked out. It is an interesting coincidence that these two events will be happening simultaneously. In fact, this type of phenomenon, both events happening on the same day, the marking of winter with the solstice, and a lunar eclipse,has not been recorded since the 1630′s, 1638 to be more exact.
Halley’s comet passing by the earth is a more common event than our 2010 eclipse and solstice combination. For Astronomy buffs, this is a once in a lifetime event that should be documented for future generations, as it will be many generations before this will be seen again. To be more precisely, we will have wait nearly 90 more years for this type of occurrence. There is no doubt that this years eclipse will go down in the text books, almanacs, and journals for future generations of science students, many of whom will have envy for those that were able to experience this event live, and in their lifetimes. The irony, many will stay in bed and miss the whole experience.

Filed Under: Universe Beyond Tagged With: Earth, Lunar eclipse, Moon

A Double Star With Two Planets

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In an article recently published in the journal of Astronomy & Astrophysics, a German research team of astronomers reported finding a double star with two planets. The formation may indicate that the group has survived major changes in the solar system.

Led by Klaus Euermann, a researcher with the Georg-August-Universitat in Germany, the team reported two planets, about the size of Jupiter, orbiting the double star. The group found the double star and its planets in the NN Serpentis solar system, which is an estimated 1,670 light years away from Earth. The discovery was the result of analyzing information collected between 1988 and 2010.

Part of the date for the analysis came from the University of Texas at Austin, which has a telescope equipped to capture images. Don Winget is the main astronomer who operated the telescope during the time it collected the data.

Earth’s location along the same plane in the binary star system allows astronomical equipment to capture an eclipse of the double star group every 3 hours and 7 minutes. The eclipse occurs when the large star blocks the light of the other star. The eclipses allowed the astronomers to detect changes in the double star group based on the timings of the eclipses.

Out of the two planets, one is almost 6 times as large as Jupiter. It circles the double star, also called a binary star, on schedule of one rotation every 15.5 years based on six Astronomical Units. The other planet is smaller, weighing in at only 1.6 times the size of Jupiter, and it completes its rotation in a little under eight years.

In the grand scheme of things, the new discovery won’t help astronomers in the search for hospitable plants; however, it will allow researchers to learn more about red dwarfs and white dwarfs.
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Filed Under: Astronomy, Universe Beyond Tagged With: Astronomy, Binary star, Earth, Jupiter, NN Serpentis, Solar System, Star, University of Göttingen

$500,000 Grant Helps Space Programs in Florida

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As scientists and other researchers continue to build bigger and better technological advances for space exploration, the current race among universities and other astronomical associations is to locate Earth-like planets. While these planets don’t need to have continents, mountains, or other things you may associate with Earth, they do need to have an atmosphere that can support life. The new research tools are continuing to expand the range of exploration, leading to the possibility that an Earth-like planet is just around the proverbial corner.

While it certainly sounds fun to be at the forefront of space exploration, devoting time and resources to finding Earth-like planets takes funding. For one university, a new grant will take care of that need, allowing researchers to focus on finding proof of another habitable planet. The Dharma Endowment Foundation of Alachua recently donated $500,000 to the University of Florida in order to help the university further the knowledge of the universe. The grant also supports the search for extra solar planets that could harbor life.

Jian Ge is the lead astronomer with the university and the main recipient of the grant. He hopes to find an Earth-like planet near bright stars. Ge will be able to use the grant to build the third high precision Exoplanet Tracker and form a network for research. The university hopes to have seven instruments to use in its exploration. The instruments will scan the sky on a 24-hour basis rather than waiting until nightfall.

The Exoplanet Tracker will use technology developed over several years and will incorporate the Doppler technique. Researchers have used the Doppler technique to find over 80 percent of the discovered planets. The technology may make it easier to detect exoplanets with less mass.

Using the funds from the grant, the university expects to have the network completed by 2014. The university will continue to raise funds to try to complete the network sooner.

Filed Under: Astronomy, Universe Beyond Tagged With: Andrew Howard, Astronomy, Earth, Extrasolar planet, Kepler Mission, NASA, Planet, University of Florida

Earth-Like Planet Lectures Come to UC Santa Cruz

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From the moment man took an interest in the stars, people have wondered what else space might hold. Is there another planet capable of sustaining human life? With new developments in astronomical tools, NASA and other space researchers are learning more now than they ever had.

That’s why Greg Laughlin, an astrophysics and astronomy professor with UC Santa Cruz, will be hosting a free public lecture on November 17. The lecture will take place at 7 p.m. at Santa Cruz’s Rio Theater, and the topic will be “The Search for Other Earths.”

The lecture is free to the public as part of the Halliday Lecture Series, which uses donor gifts to the UCSC astronomy and astrophysics department to fund public awareness events, such as Laughlin’s lecture. The professor is a recognized expert in detecting extrasolar planets. He has degrees in physics and astronomy.

In his lecture, Laughlin will present information regarding UCSC’s research to find planet with conditions like Earth’s. Many believe these habitable planets may be as close as the nearest neighbors to the sun. Researchers are using new tools, such as NASA’s Kepler space telescope and the Automated Planet Finder Telescope to learn more about these Earth-like planets. These tools are producing more data than researchers have been able to collect in a decade-long period.

Laughlin’s own research projects include studying orbital dynamics, modeling hydrodynamics and atmospheres, observing the search for plants using the newer tools, and using the latest photometric transit techniques.

In addition to teaching, Laughlin maintains a Systemic blog, where he updates the public on the latest developments in astronomy and astrophysics. Laughlin co-authored “Five Ages of the Universe: Inside the Physics of Eternity,” which is a book investigating the long-term fate of the universe, the galaxy, the Earth, and the solar system.

Those who can’t attend this lecture can check the Halliday schedule for the next free lecture.

Filed Under: Astronomy, Observatory, Telescopes Tagged With: Astronomy, Astrophysics, Earth, Greg Laughlin, Kepler Mission, NASA, University of California Santa Cruz, W. M. Keck Observatory

Kepler Spacecraft Proves its Use as a Discovery Machine

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According to Steve Kawaler, who works as a physics and astronomy professor at Iowa State University, NASA’s Kepler spacecraft is changing the study of stars. The main reason for this is the quality and the quantity of information the discovery machine is reporting.

The Kepler is part of the Kepler Space Mission that launched in March 2009. The spacecraft orbits the sun and reports the data back to researchers. The data comes from a variety of observation instruments, including a telescope and a photometer. The photometer measures the change in brightness for a star. The telescope connects to a 95 megapixel camera.

As the Kepler orbits, it keeps the tools trained on a specific part of the Milky Way, the Cygnus-Lyra region. Researchers working with the Kepler Asteroseismic Investigation hope to use the information sent from the spacecraft to discover new planets with a similar atmosphere to earth. These planets, if discovered, may be able to sustain life.

The project’s research team has four committee members: Ron Gilliland, Hans Kjeldsen, and Jorgen Christensen-Dalsgaard who join Kawaler. To put the scope of the project into perspective, Kawaler reports the Kepler has returned as much information in one year as other projects would take 300 years to deliver. So far, the studies have resulted in eight papers.

NASA expects the Kepler to orbit earth until at least 2013. During that time, it should record over 17,000 stars. The current data already indicates a variety of stars in the galaxy from white dwarfs to binary star systems to subdwarf B stars. The light variance detected by the Kepler helps demonstrate Einstein’s Special Theory of Relativity, which is another analytical tools the research team is using.

With all the information provided by the Kepler, the research teams hope to learn more about our galaxy, specifically the sun.

Filed Under: Astronomy, Telescopes, Universe Beyond Tagged With: Binary star, Earth, Iowa State University, Kepler Mission, Milky Way, NASA, Space, Star

Binoculars for astronomy

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Astronomy is something that people like to do once in a while or all the while. When you see stars, not when you bump into something, but when you look up, you need a pair of good binoculars to support your view.

Binoculars that are only dedicated to be used for astronomical purposes are used. Whether you are serious about star-gazing or planet gazing as a career, or want to do it only for recreation, then good binoculars will help.
There are plenty of binoculars to choose. So it becomes kind of hard to choose between the best and latest. You should understand how binoculars work, and which ones are best suited for astronomy. It helps to initially understand the workings of a binocular before even venturing out to buy one.

Binoculars have a simple concept: A pair of telescopic lens that have the power to see far-away places. At the far end, there is a large lens which is called the objective lens. The main seeing lens are called ocular lens. A prism is attached to the binocular. The prism reflects light, and is triangular in structure. By getting the light path to bend, it makes sure that the binocular does not have to be as long as the telescope. Apart from that it gives the images a steady appearance, with the right dimensions. Different prisms have different light bending mechanisms. It all depends on the type of astronomical observation being done.

The ratio of the lens size is also important. The objective lens size will have a magnifying ratio. The size of the objective lens is proportional to the magnifying power of the binocular. In astronomy, different sizes of lens are used. And different binoculars are used. It all boils down to what is needed for your interests in astronomy. Like any other field, even astronomy is a learning process. Gradually you will also learn to understand things that are required for astronomy.

Filed Under: Astronomy, Telescopes Tagged With: Amateur, Amateur astronomy, Andromeda Galaxy, Astronomy, Binoculars, Business, Earth, Learning

Too Much Light Affects More Than Just Astronomy

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It is a well-known fact that it is harder to practice astronomy in a big city. The millions of lights make the it almost impossible to view and study the night sky. Increased technology has been both a boon and a bane to astronomers. Technological advances have increased the ability of equipment, but it has likewise increased the size and brightness of non-rural areas. Usually, an astronomer can’t just go out on his porch and study the celestial objects above him.

The effect created by the lights of populated areas is called skyglow. To prevent this glow from hindering astronomy, the surroundings of most observatories are controlled in an attempt to prevent light pollution from eliminating the crucial contrast in the night sky.

Light pollution harms more than just the observational astronomy prospects of both amateurs and professionals. It can also be a danger to the health of humans and detrimental to the environment.

Too much light, called over-illumination, can cause headaches, fatigue, high blood pressure and increased stress in humans, as well as effect their mood and attention to detail. Being over-exposed to light in the night time can hold back melatonin production, thereby increasing the risk of breast cancer in women.

Excessive lighting creates a clutter that makes driving a car less safe. It has a tendency to blind drives for a moment. It usually lasts only a small amount of time, but it is enough time to cause an accident with another vehicle or put the lives of cyclists and pedestrians in danger.

Light pollution wastes massive amounts of energy. It is believed that over-illumination uses up over 2 million barrels of oil per day. It also affects the natural instincts of animals and plants.

Filed Under: Astronomy, Observatory Tagged With: Astronomer, Astronomy, Earth, Environment, Light pollution, Night sky, Regulation, Skyglow