Space | 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

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

Kepler Spacecraft Proves its Use as a Discovery Machine

: Image via Wikipedia

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

What Alternate Methods Are There for Getting to Space?

Giant telescopes scan the sky from many different places, both on Earth and even from orbit. Astronauts have traveled into space for years, but the energy and fuel required to get there is still enormous. Launching a spacecraft is still the most dangerous part of any mission. Alternative methods available, including nuclear, have been proposed, but this poses an even greater safety concern.

Many ideas have been thought up about ways to launch things into space without using rockets. One of these is the space elevator, a theoretical structure that would be anchored to the Earth near the equator, to a distance where it could achieve geostationary orbit. The concept has been around since the late 1800’s and if built, it would be a feasible method of elevating cargo into space. For such a system to be possible, the materials would have to be extremely light and strong. Carbon nanotubes are theoretically strong enough to support this kind of structure.

Using a space gun is another way to possibly launch things into space. This has actually been done, as the Navy once used a 100 caliber gun to shoot an object to a suborbital distance. The velocity and angle an object reaches from a gun, however, are too great to achieve orbit just from the gun, and the speed too high for humans to be safely launched. Similarly, an electromagnetic catapult, with motors and a sequential firing of electromagnets, could achieve the same thing, but the distance would have to be hundreds of miles long.

Other ideas include a space fountain. This is a tower so tall it could not support its own weight, but would be held aloft by a stream of particles. Satellite payloads could be lifted and lowered by the streams of particles. It would not require the superstrong materials a space elevator would, but would need a lot of power to stay in place.

Proposals also include building a ring around the Earth with elevators on each side, using a 1,200 mile long maglev system, or powering rockets using beams from the ground.

Filed Under: Observatory, Science Tagged With: Austronauts, Space

Decent Telescopes for Amateur Space Enthusiasts

You don’t have to be a professional astronomer to have the equipment available to get a closer peek at the stars. Of course, gigantic mountaintop observatories and space telescopes like Hubble can see billions of light years into space and the past, but there are consumer telescopes you can buy that will give you a pretty good view nonetheless.

For amateur astronomers and hobbyists, there are many telescopes available. For under $1,000, you can find a 6 inch scope that will enable you to see such things as globular clusters and some details of Mars. If you’re just starting out, you can even find starter telescopes for under $250. The main things to consider when making the purchase are the quality of the optics, and how smoothly the device’s mount operates so you can move it around easily.

One starter telescope has a 4.5 inch mirror. It is great for beginners but even the experts find it useful, because when you look through the lens on a clear night, you can see the moon’s craters and even cloud bands on Jupiter. A steady base and easy maneuverability also make it a good choice. For just about $100, one reflector telescope includes a tripod, altazimuth mount, focuser, finder scope and two eyepieces; a nice choice for backyard observation for the whole family.

While many amateur telescopes are great for use around the home, portable models are also available, including one that can feature a 16x or 30x eyepiece. Its streamlined, red design allows it to be carried around and it can even be placed in an overhead compartment of an airplane. With this, you can view the universe from anywhere; the only limit is where you are able to travel to enjoy the scope’s benefits.

There are so many kinds available to beginners, all you have to do is look online or visit a scientific retailer to get an idea of what is best for you. Even a simple scope may spark your interest in pursuing a life-long career or hobby.

Filed Under: Science, Telescopes Tagged With: Space, Telescopes

Space Food on Modern Space Flights

: Image via Wikipedia

A trip into space can be the most memorable moment of a lifetime. For astronauts, it is hard work, but the view can never be underappreciated, as well as the fun of being in zero gravity. As for food, that is another story.

Astronauts now have more of a choice in the foods they can choose, unlike early space missions like Mercury and Apollo. Because there is limited room to store things, foods must be stored in compact containers that are flexible. This aids in storage as well as in compressing the material for the trash.

The most interesting thing about space food is the food itself, which has to be rehydrated to be eaten. This is easy for things like chicken soup, but meals like chicken and rice, scrambled eggs, shrimp and cereals can also be prepared just by adding water to them. Many drinks, similarly, are stored as a powder, like tea, orange juice and lemonade, in a package that connects to a water dispenser to obtain the proper mixture.

Not all food that goes aboard the space shuttle is prepared this way. Some things such as nuts and cookies are put into pouches that just have to be cut open to use. Fresh foods like fruits and vegetables can be stored in their natural state, but can spoil on long missions. The shuttle has a module where astronauts can use its water dispenser and oven to prepare all the food they eat.

The most popular food items for astronauts are flour tortillas! Regular bread can crumble and takes up much more space, so these issues were eliminated when they started using tortillas in the 1980’s. Not only are they easier to eat, but they provide something to do during break time – tortillas also make for great Frisbees in microgravity.

The many foods that are eaten in space can be precooked and do not require refrigeration. They are prepared by adding water and by heating if necessary. Astronauts select their own food from a menu several months before the flight.

Filed Under: Astronomy, Science Tagged With: Space, Space exploration, Space Shuttle