AstronomyTeacher
News articles and posts about astronomy and astronomy educationSaturday, January 27, 2007
Flight Patterns
Flight Patterns: "The Flight Patterns visualizations are the result of experiments leading to the project Celestial Mechanics by Scott Hessels and Gabriel Dunne. FAA data was parsed and plotted using the Processing programming environment. The frames were composited with Adobe After Effects and/or Maya."
I think this a more important video than you might think at first glance. It shows how the visual interpretation of data sets can be influenced by artistic sensibilities. I would argue it shows a glaring lack of artistic training in our scientists and engineers because we don't see more of this. There is tremendous potential here to interpret all sorts of data.
I think this a more important video than you might think at first glance. It shows how the visual interpretation of data sets can be influenced by artistic sensibilities. I would argue it shows a glaring lack of artistic training in our scientists and engineers because we don't see more of this. There is tremendous potential here to interpret all sorts of data.
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
NASA - Lunar Transient Phenomena
NASA - Lunar Transient Phenomena
An airplane passes right in front of the moon as the camera is recording. Startling.
An airplane passes right in front of the moon as the camera is recording. Startling.
Photos: Best photos of Saturn--and the winners are | CNET News.com
Photos: Best photos of Saturn--and the winners are | CNET News.com: "NASA announced the winners of its contest to choose the best photograph taken by the Cassini spacecraft as it nears its second anniversary at the planet Saturn. NASA also announced winners of its Mars rovers' photo contest."
Monday, January 22, 2007
New Theory of the Universe Marries Two of its Biggest Mysteries
New Theory of the Universe Marries Two of its Biggest Mysteries: "%u201CWe propose that at some point in the very early universe, dark matter interacted with regular matter in a particular way so as to shift the balance between matter and anti-matter ever so slightly towards matter, a process known as baryogenesis,%u201D said Jeff Jones, a University of California-Santa Cruz physicist involved in the work, to PhysOrg.com. %u201CWe have proposed a new mechanism for baryogenesis that ties together these two mysteries, which are usually assumed to be unrelated.%u201D
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Saturday, January 20, 2007
Lewis Center for Educational Research
Lewis Center for Educational Research
This is a you-pay-for-it opportunity to get access to a giant radio telescope in California. You and your students run the telescope by remote control. The price is around $500.
This is a you-pay-for-it opportunity to get access to a giant radio telescope in California. You and your students run the telescope by remote control. The price is around $500.
Lewis Center for Educational Research
Lewis Center for Educational Research
This is a you-pay-for-it opportunity to get access to a giant radio telescope in California. You and your students run the telescope by remote control. The price is around $500.
This is a you-pay-for-it opportunity to get access to a giant radio telescope in California. You and your students run the telescope by remote control. The price is around $500.
Friday, January 19, 2007
Gravity Launch
SPACE.com -- Pluto-Bound Spacecraft to Nab Speed Boost in Jupiter Flyby
SPACE.com -- Pluto-Bound Spacecraft to Nab Speed Boost in Jupiter Flyby: "At its
closest approach, New Horizons will swing within 1.7 million miles (2.3 million
kilometers) of Jupiter to grab a gravity boost that will shave three years off
its flight to Pluto, researchers said [image].�
%u201CWe%u2019ve
designed this particular flyby to be a stress test on our spacecraft to work
out the kinks,%u201D Stern added."
closest approach, New Horizons will swing within 1.7 million miles (2.3 million
kilometers) of Jupiter to grab a gravity boost that will shave three years off
its flight to Pluto, researchers said [image].�
%u201CWe%u2019ve
designed this particular flyby to be a stress test on our spacecraft to work
out the kinks,%u201D Stern added."
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Belief and knowledge%u2014a plea about language - Physics Today January 2007
Belief and knowledge%u2014a plea about language - Physics Today January 2007: "A few words in elementary physics%u2014
force, work, momentum, and energy%u2014have carefully defined physics meanings. Their much
broader everyday usage causes students a great deal of confusion until they learn the precise physics
concepts. Rather than belabor such cases, I will focus on some words that are, I think, the root of
considerable public misunderstanding of science: belief, hypothesis, theory, and knowledge."
Not about astronomy per se but any science teacher will find fertile ground in this topic. I agree completely that most of the problem in communicating about science to the public is the risky proposition of redefining words used in ordinary conversation with specific meanings.
force, work, momentum, and energy%u2014have carefully defined physics meanings. Their much
broader everyday usage causes students a great deal of confusion until they learn the precise physics
concepts. Rather than belabor such cases, I will focus on some words that are, I think, the root of
considerable public misunderstanding of science: belief, hypothesis, theory, and knowledge."
Not about astronomy per se but any science teacher will find fertile ground in this topic. I agree completely that most of the problem in communicating about science to the public is the risky proposition of redefining words used in ordinary conversation with specific meanings.
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Hands-On Universe Research
Hands-On Universe Research: "The
International Asteroid Search Campaign (IASC) is a program
for high school and college students who search real-time astronomical
images for original discoveries.� These discoveries include
asteroids, near-Earth objects (NEO), Kuiper Belt objects (KBO),
supernovae (SNe), and active galactic nuclei (AGN).� Students
download the images on a daily basis, perform the analysis
with provided software tools, and report their discoveries,
which ultimately are recognized by the Minor Planet Center
(MPC; Harvard University) and the International Astronomical
Union (IAU)."
International Asteroid Search Campaign (IASC) is a program
for high school and college students who search real-time astronomical
images for original discoveries.� These discoveries include
asteroids, near-Earth objects (NEO), Kuiper Belt objects (KBO),
supernovae (SNe), and active galactic nuclei (AGN).� Students
download the images on a daily basis, perform the analysis
with provided software tools, and report their discoveries,
which ultimately are recognized by the Minor Planet Center
(MPC; Harvard University) and the International Astronomical
Union (IAU)."
Sunday, January 14, 2007
Online astronomers seek out new worlds - Yahoo! News
Online astronomers seek out new worlds - Yahoo! News: "n 1995, neophyte stargazer Thomas Bopp gained fame for co-discovering what would be known as Comet Hale-Bopp. Two years ago, in what was billed as the first such find by an amateur in 65 years, Jay McNeil of Kentucky took a picture of a new nebula %u2014 an illuminated cloud of gas and dust lit by what is believed to be a newborn star.
Since the late 1990s, virtual astronomy has boomed. One of the earliest online citizen scientist projects was SETI(at)home, which distributed software that created a virtual supercomputer by harnessing idle, Web-connected PCs to search for alien radio transmissions."
Since the late 1990s, virtual astronomy has boomed. One of the earliest online citizen scientist projects was SETI(at)home, which distributed software that created a virtual supercomputer by harnessing idle, Web-connected PCs to search for alien radio transmissions."
SpaceWeather.com -- News and information about meteor showers, solar flares, auroras, and near-Earth asteroids
Comet McNaught is visible in daylight! Spaceweather, for the next few days, gives the details. I've seen it 3 times at sunset myself. SpaceWeather.com -- News and information about meteor showers, solar flares, auroras, and near-Earth asteroids
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Seven Warning Signs of Bogus Science
Seven Warning Signs of Bogus Science: "Justice Stephen G. Breyer encouraged
trial judges to appoint independent experts to help them. He noted
that courts can turn to scientific organizations, like the National
Academy of Sciences and the American Association for the Advancement
of Science, to identify neutral experts who could preview questionable
scientific testimony and advise a judge on whether a jury should
be exposed to it. Judges are still concerned about meeting their
responsibilities under the Daubert decision, and a group of them
asked me how to recognize questionable scientific claims. What
are the warning signs?
I have identified seven indicators that
a scientific claim lies well outside the bounds of rational scientific
discourse. Of course, they are only warning signs -- even a claim
with several of the signs could be legitimate."
trial judges to appoint independent experts to help them. He noted
that courts can turn to scientific organizations, like the National
Academy of Sciences and the American Association for the Advancement
of Science, to identify neutral experts who could preview questionable
scientific testimony and advise a judge on whether a jury should
be exposed to it. Judges are still concerned about meeting their
responsibilities under the Daubert decision, and a group of them
asked me how to recognize questionable scientific claims. What
are the warning signs?
I have identified seven indicators that
a scientific claim lies well outside the bounds of rational scientific
discourse. Of course, they are only warning signs -- even a claim
with several of the signs could be legitimate."
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
BBC NEWS | Science/Nature | Doom for Hubble's iconic pillars
SPACE.com -- NASA Finally Goes Metric
SPACE.com -- NASA Finally Goes Metric: "When NASA returns astronauts to the Moon, the mission will be measured kilometers, not miles.
The agency has decided to use metric units for all operations on the lunar surface, according to a statement released today.
The change will standardize parts and tools. It means Russian wrenches could be used to fix an air leak in a U.S.-built habitat. It will also make communications easier, such as when determining how far to send a rover for a science project.
NASA has ostensibly used the metric system since about 1990, the statement said, but English units are still employed on some missions, and a few projects use both. NASA uses both English and metric aboard the International Space Station."
The agency has decided to use metric units for all operations on the lunar surface, according to a statement released today.
The change will standardize parts and tools. It means Russian wrenches could be used to fix an air leak in a U.S.-built habitat. It will also make communications easier, such as when determining how far to send a rover for a science project.
NASA has ostensibly used the metric system since about 1990, the statement said, but English units are still employed on some missions, and a few projects use both. NASA uses both English and metric aboard the International Space Station."
Monday, January 08, 2007
SPACE.com -- Andromeda Galaxy Five Time Bigger Than Thought
SPACE.com -- Andromeda Galaxy Five Time Bigger Than Thought: "According to current galactic formation theories, the halo is the first part of a galaxy that forms. Stars in the halo are predicted to be metal poor because they formed during a time when the universe had much less heavy metal content than it does now. Heavy metals are created as stars evolve and then spewed out into interstellar space when ancient stars either explode as supernovas or shed their outer layers to become white dwarfs.
'The first stars are expected to be chemically deficient, and as these other components such as the disk of the galaxy form later, it is contaminated by the products of those first stars, so those stars are more metal rich,' Kalirai said.
However, instead of being metal-poor, previous studies have found that Andromeda's halo stars were actually 10 times richer in metals than halo stars in our galaxy. This finding puzzled astronomers because both Andromeda and the Milky Way should have similar formation histories."
'The first stars are expected to be chemically deficient, and as these other components such as the disk of the galaxy form later, it is contaminated by the products of those first stars, so those stars are more metal rich,' Kalirai said.
However, instead of being metal-poor, previous studies have found that Andromeda's halo stars were actually 10 times richer in metals than halo stars in our galaxy. This finding puzzled astronomers because both Andromeda and the Milky Way should have similar formation histories."
Lego Mindstorms NXT Segway
I wonder how segway technology might be adaptable to a space probe...
I wonder how segway technology might be adaptable to a space probe...
Saturday, January 06, 2007
Stellar Bang with a New Twist -- Berardelli 2007 (105): 2 -- ScienceNOW
Stellar Bang with a New Twist -- Berardelli 2007 (105): 2 -- ScienceNOW: "For years, astronomers have relied on a valuable observational tool to study the expansion of the universe: a variety of supernova called a Type Ia. These titanic explosions were thought to erupt under conditions that produced a consistent brightness. Using that 'standard candle,' astronomers could calculate a supernova's distance from Earth and, by detecting stretches in the wavelengths of its light, also track the acceleration of the universe caused by the mysterious force called dark energy. Now, the discovery of two supernova remnants in a nearby galaxy calls the consistency of Type Ia explosions into question."
Friday, January 05, 2007
SPACE.com -- Skywatcher's Almanac: Celestial Highlights in 2007
SPACE.com -- Skywatcher's Almanac: Celestial Highlights in 2007: "From a potentially spectacular summer meteor shower to a pair of lunar eclipses and compelling appearances of the planets, this year will be an excellent one for skywatching. Hot New Comet! Right now, a newfound comet is brightening rapidly and could put on a fantastic show over the next few days.
This astronomical almanac of sorts can serve as a planning guide. Specific events will be discussed in greater detail just prior to their occurrences."
This astronomical almanac of sorts can serve as a planning guide. Specific events will be discussed in greater detail just prior to their occurrences."
BBC NEWS | Science/Nature | Diamond star thrills astronomers
BBC NEWS | Science/Nature | Diamond star thrills astronomers
: "The cosmic diamond is a chunk of crystallised carbon, 4,000 km across, some 50 light-years from the Earth in the constellation Centaurus."
: "The cosmic diamond is a chunk of crystallised carbon, 4,000 km across, some 50 light-years from the Earth in the constellation Centaurus."
Thursday, January 04, 2007
SkyTonight.com - Homepage Observing - January's Surprise Comet
SkyTonight.com - Homepage Observing - January's Surprise Comet: "A major comet, known as Comet McNaught or C/2006 P1, is right now making its way through the inner solar system. It%u2019s already as bright as the brightest stars, but it is also sticking close to the glare of the Sun. For this reason the general public won%u2019t be gathering on street corners to gaze at it, as they did Comet Hyakutake (in 1996) or Comet Hale-Bopp (1997). But amateur astronomers in north-temperate latitudes, with their observing know-how, have an excellent chance of spotting Comet McNaught in the next week or so, very low in the bright glow of evening twilight."
Cops baffled by mystery object that crashed into home - CNN.com
Cops baffled by mystery object that crashed into home - CNN.com: "Nobody was injured when the golf ball-sized object, weighing nearly as much as a can of soup, struck the home and embedded itself in a wall Tuesday night. Federal officials sent to the scene said it was not from an aircraft.The rough-surfaced object, with a metallic glint, was displayed Wednesday by police."
MyFox Colorado | Watch Spectacular Video of A Meteor Shower
MyFox Colorado | Watch Spectacular Video of A Meteor Shower
At the time, the newsfolken thought it was a meteor-- "parts of an extinct constellation[sic]" says the weather guy. Later we found out it was a Russian rocket breaking up in the atmosphere.
At the time, the newsfolken thought it was a meteor-- "parts of an extinct constellation[sic]" says the weather guy. Later we found out it was a Russian rocket breaking up in the atmosphere.
Brightest supernova discovery hints at stellar collision - space - 03 January 2007 - New Scientist Space
Brightest supernova discovery hints at stellar collision - space - 03 January 2007 - New Scientist Space: "Because merger-generated explosions are likely so rare, they should not affect the interpretation of cosmological studies that rely on type Ia supernovae -- including measurements of dark energy, he says."
ESA Portal - Black hole boldly goes where no black hole has gone before
ESA Portal - Black hole boldly goes where no black hole has gone before: "XMM-Newton is extremely sensitive to variable X-ray sources and can efficiently search across large patches of the sky. The team also used NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory, which has superb angular resolution to pinpoint the X-ray source's location. This allowed them to match up the position of the X-ray source with optical images to prove that the black hole was indeed in a globular cluster."
Monday, January 01, 2007
Friday the 13th, 2029
Friday the 13th, 2029: "The asteroid is about 320 meters wide. 'That's big enough to punch through Earth's atmosphere,' devastating a region the size of, say, Texas, if it hit land, or causing widespread tsunamis if it hit ocean, says Chodas. So much for holiday cheer."
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