Solar System | Observations in Astronomy

Predicting the Weather Gets Even Harder With Giant Rocks in the Way

The asteroid (4) Vesta and the dwarf planet (1...

Asteroids are just the latest element to make predicting the weather difficult. Specifically there are two asteroids, Ceres and Vesta, which are large enough to wreak havoc in earth’s atmosphere. These giant asteroids are large enough to interact with the other planets in Earth’s solar system and in turn this affects the weather. It also makes predicting the weather difficult as shifts in these asteroids flight path may cause weather patterns to change.

In addition to changing weather patterns, asteroids could have a huge effect on the planet if absorbed improperly into Earth’s orbit. A worst case scenario involving an asteroid would entail a direct impact with the Earth. A giant asteroid could cause mass extinction shortly after contact with the planet; a problem much more serious than weather forecasts. The impact from an asteroid would likely cause either a cooling of the globe or an extreme heating of the world. In either case, many lives would likely be lost and there would be impending fallout after the first death toll.

In addition, there would be ground shocks and dust kicked into the atmosphere could make air difficult to breathe. There would also likely be mass fires and tremendous atmospheric pressure. Luckily, there is little fear from astronomers of a direct asteroid hit that would harm the planet. We will likely only be inconvenienced by inaccurate weather forecasts caused by the shifting of these two major asteroids and don’t need to fear an asteroid destroying the planet and life as we know it.

Filed Under: Astronomy, Comets and Asteroids, Observatory Tagged With: Asteroid, Ceres, Solar System

Is Space Growing?

We are all interested in the idea of when the world is going to end. We assume that it has before simply by the fact that we had a beginning, and all things that have a beginning, usually have an end as well. So the likelihood of our solar system being the one and only beginning could be quite a stretch. There is a new theory on the market, however, that sums up the process. This also semi-answers the question of when the world is going to end. The theory is simple, that Space is expanding, or growing essentially. The basic premise is that Space can only expand to a certain point, and then POP, the existence as we know it, is not more. Others, have also called this POP a BANG, the cycle begins again.
Scientists have been working on this theory once they realized that certain planets were further away than they were before. This led to more research, using the Hubbell Satellite, which when directed at the Milky Way showed changes in the speed of movement. The difference in speed has led Scientists to believe that there is a force being produced that is allowing Space, and all the galaxies within, to expand further out. Then like a balloon at capacity, it ceases to expand and is destroyed. The controversial twist to this idea, however, is that the explosion of Space creates a force that somehow reconciles the formulas for life, and the cycle begins again. It is almost like how a forest fire can destroy the forest, but is necessary in order for there to be new life, and for the nuts to open and plant into the earth. So, while this does not give us an exact date of our end, it does give us the potential way we will end.

Filed Under: Astronomy Tagged With: Astronomy, Milky Way, Solar System, Space

I Named It Joe.

Have you ever wondered where the names of comets or stars come from? Well, it is simple enough, the first person who saw the star or comet, or at least confessed to seeing it, is allowed to name it. Most times, the name is after the “owner,” of the first sighting. So how would one go about naming a star or comet? It is simple. You can register online, or you can send in your paperwork via regular mail. There are some things that you would need to prove in order to claim as seeing the star or comet first, and you will have to find out if it has been claimed by anyone else. After you are able to fulfill all the requirements, and pay a small fee, you will have a star that is yours to name. That star or comet will also be noted in annuls and journals by the registered name that you have provided.
You can also have your named star be purchased as a gift. There are societies available that have located stars or comets, and have set them aside for purchase. Again, whatever you choose to name the star will be what is recorded in astronomy documents from that point forward. Many people tend to find that purchasing a star that is within their astrological chart to be appealing, while more individuals tend to lean to the more scientific for their purpose behind naming a piece of our vast galaxy.
Whatever the purpose behind discovering, or purchasing your own star may be you will always have the satisfaction of knowing that you will own a piece of space, that there is a place in the heavens with your fingerprint on it. You can even pass down to your future generations, your findings or your gift.

Filed Under: Astronomy Tagged With: Astronomy, Comet, Name, Solar System

Pluto No More

One of the most exciting astronomical decisions made in our lifetime is the decision to reclassify Pluto from the status of a planet, to the status of a dwarf planet. This has been a highly contested decision, and many astronomers do not necessarily agree with the decision. This landmark event comes after the definition of a planet is fully explained, and therefore Pluto does not fit the bill.
A planet is defined as a large star that is round in shape due to its own spinning and force. It also must be in control of the area near the planet. This would mean that any moons would have to be under the force of the spin of the planet of the orbit it shares. The original definition was that a large being had to have a moon within its orbit. The moon must also be somewhat smaller than the plant it orbits. In the case of Pluto, its moon is only half its size, and not necessarily under Plutos control.
The problem lies in that in order to be a planet, it is a rare claim. In fact, without Pluto, there are only eight planets in our solar system. With Pluto being added to the list of dwarf planet status, it joins a club of over 40 planets that are close by, and hundreds more that are known in our galaxy. The reclassification will bring about major changes on how the solar system is taught, how textbooks are written, and how the solar system is appears for school children.
All in all, what this means, is that there is a change within out galaxy, and that there will probably be many more to come. This is merely one instance of things that could affect the world we know in the future.

Filed Under: Planets Tagged With: Dwarf planet, Planet, Pluto, Solar System

A Double Star With Two Planets

: Image via Wikipedia

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

Using Halloween for Astronomical Education

: Image via Wikipedia

Have you ever laid out in field and looked up at the stars and night, wanting to learn more about the solar system and the stars twinkling above? At some point in time, almost every person has done this or will do this. Many people take this fascination to the next level by purchasing a home telescope, which allows them to get a better view. The idea of appreciating the stars in such a way is the principal behind sidewalk astronomy, and Halloween is a great time of year for it.

In most places, kids will stay up past dark to go trick-or-treating, making it a perfect time to extend the nighttime hours long enough to look at some stars. To help make sure you can show your kids something cool, consult the seasonal night sky map, which will give you several things to look for while you’re enjoying your time as an astronomer. Possible things to look for through the telescope include Jupiter, the moon, and the Owl Cluster in Cassiopeia, which is perfect for Halloween.

Some people may even want to set up a telescope near the candy station and allow kids to take a peek as they come around to collect goodies. If you want to get a better view than the sidewalk affords, check with local astronomy clubs to see what local spots they recommend for stargazing. As a general rule, the further you are away from the lights of a city, the easier it will be to see the stars clearly through your telescope.

Also, keep an eye on the weather. Certain conditions, such as a cloudy sky, will affect your ability to see the stars. Of course, if the weather is good enough to go door to door with the kids, it should be good enough to watch some stars.

Filed Under: Astronomy Tagged With: Astronomy, Cassiopeia, Halloween, Jupiter, NGC 457, Solar System, Star, Telescope

Fun Facts About Comets

: Image by NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center via Flickr

If you’ve ever seen a shooting star, it’s most likely actually a comet or even an asteroid. Not many people understand what comets are, or even know much about them at all. There are some interesting facts about comets. Because of how a comet looks, the word comet actually comes originally from the word for hair in Greek. Comets are composed of rocky debris, ice, and dust. It’s believed that most comets come from some of the farthest areas of our solar system. In fact, they are so far out that even the orbit of Pluto doesn’t reach them. They are still in our solar system, though.

There is a chance that at some point in our futures a comet could hit earth and cause major destruction, but you are much more likely to win at your favorite sports betting sites than die from a comet crashing into the planet.

It was once believed that comets were a show of power from the gods. They were also seen by many as a curse, or a warning that something bad was about to happen. Others believe that a comet is the device which angels are carried through heaven.

You may see Halley’s comet again in your life, depending on your current age. It only comes around every 76 years. The next time it is estimated to come near our planet again is in the year 2061. There is at least a few meteor showers every year. In fact, the Perseid shower happens in August of each year.

Comets have been seen throughout recorded history. Some people have revered them, while others were terrified. We know today what comets are, and can track them through the skies. The orbits of comets are similar to earth’s orbit; an egg shape. Usually, these flying bits of rock and ice have a much, much larger orbit than earth.

Filed Under: Astronomy, Comets and Asteroids, General, Observatory Tagged With: Astronomy, Comet, Halley's Comet, Meteor shower, Meteoroid, NASA, Pluto, Solar System

Why we need astronomy

: Image via Wikipedia

Astronomy and astrology are often confused as being one and the same. They are related to each other at various levels. But still there is no real link between the two disciplines. Astronomy revolves more on physics. This means it can take aspects of mathematics as well into consideration. On an observational level, astronomy describes to us what we see in the heavens. The movements of the planets and other celestial bodies are what astronomy studies closely.

Astronomy provides answers to how the universe will evolve tomorrow. It explains the creation of the universe. The existence of Earth, and its existential calculation is calculated using astronomical calculations.

Right from the big bang to the red shift of the universe, astronomy has made derived answers from years of close observations of movements in the solar system. Astronomy has made so many inroads in everyday life of human beings. The calculation of the sunrise and sunset time is done use observatory calculations of astronomy. Even the amount of time it will take for the sun’s rays to reach Earth is done using astronomy. Astronomy is used to detect possible entries of comets into the Earth’s atmosphere.

Astronomy is used extensively to track the orbital paths of Earth’s man made satellites. When a satellite is off-track, astronomical observatory telescopes either fixed on Earth or space, send alarms to the control station. So much can be done with astronomy. It is truly an indispensable part of our lives.

Without astronomy everything would have remained unknown. The Earth would have still remained a flat surfaced planet, and people would have been frightened to wander far and wide, lest they fell of Earth. Astronomy gave us the universal knowledge of the solar system and the billions of solar systems in the universe. Astronomy also told us that there are a billion more suns in this universe. But astronomy hasn’t yet told us if we are alone in the universe or not.

Filed Under: Astronomy Tagged With: Amateur, Astronomy, Earth, Education, Fort Tryon Park, Inwood Hill Park, Solar System, Telescope

Important Discoveries by Amateur Astronomers

The Comet Hale-Bopp is one of the most famous comets in recorded history. Some of the popularity was a result of the mass suicide of the Heaven’s Gate cult and claims that an alien spaceship was trailing the comet, as well as the comet’s occurrence corresponding with the accelerating relevance of the Internet.

Hale-Bopp is also notable in the astronomy community. Many believe it was the most viewed comet in history, with studies showing that up to 69 percent of United States citizens had seen it flying through the sky. Additionally, it holds the record for being visible to the naked eye for 18 months, twice as long as the previous high.

Amazingly, one of the co-discoverers of the comet, Thomas Bopp, was an amateur astronomer who didn’t even own a telescope. He discovered the comet at a party, using a friend’s telescope.

Prolific amateur David Levy co-discovered Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9, one of the most notorious comets in history, with astronomers Eugene and Carolyn Shoemaker. The Shoemaker-Levy 9 crashed into Jupiter, allowing the astronomers the rare opportunity to observe such a collision in outer space.

Levy has discovered or co-discovered over 20 comets and had written approximately 30 books about astronomy.

Will Hay was a comedian, actor an film director during the first half of the 20th century. He appeared in 20 films from 1933 to 1943. Hay was also an esteemed amateur astronomer, and his most lasting accomplishment is the white spot he discovered on Saturn in 1933. These Great White Spots are storms that occur on Saturn approximately every 30 years.

These amateur astronomers prove that there is much to discover in the vast skies above, and that it doesn’t necessarily take diplomas and high-power tools to do it.

Filed Under: Astronomy, Observatory Tagged With: Amateur astronomy, Jupiter, Solar System

The Mysteries of the Universe Continue to Unfold

: Image via Wikipedia

Since the beginning of time astronomy and space have intrigued mankind. The number of almanacs, books and guides published is an indication of the popularity of this field of study. There are even giant observatories all over the globe dedicated to star watching. Observatories can be equipped with a high powered telescope or smaller, less advanced equipment depending on location. One high tech observatory if NASA Kepler space telescope.

This vast reaches of space still continue to surprise us with their unfolding mysteries. Each year some new discovery is revealed as satellites find never before known bodies.

The discovery early in 2010 of five exoplanets was a major breakthrough in space exploration. These exoplanets are the first finds from NASA’s program to locate planets outside the Earth’s solar system. They were discovered using NASA’s Kepler space telescope which was designed for that very purpose.

In March 2009, the Kepler space telescope, a spacecraft was launched to identify other planets similar to earth that were orbiting around suns in other galaxies. The planets that have been discovered to date by the Kepler’s space telescope have been classified as giant planets. This means that they are bigger than or equal in size to Jupiter. Jupiter is 141700 km or 88,000 miles at its diameter. This makes its diameter 11 times bigger than that of the Earth. In fact, Jupiter’s mass is over 300 times more than the earth.

It is expected that over time smaller planets further away will be discovered. The major differences between the Kepler and Hubble space telescope are:

•Kepler focuses on one starfield for extended periods unlike the Hubble. In fact, 150,000 stars were selected to be the focus of Kepler. These stars are monitored continuously and simultaneously.
•Kepler’s space telescope field of view is much larger than the Hubble ever was.

It is expected that astronomy lovers will find much to amaze them in the coming years.

Filed Under: Astronomy, Planets, Satellites, Universe Beyond Tagged With: Astronomy, Jupiter, NASA, Solar System