Astronomy Articles

Astronomy is a natural science that deals with the study of celestial objects (such as stars, planets, comets, nebulae, star clusters and galaxies) and phenomena that originate outside the atmosphere of Earth (such as cosmic background radiation). It is concerned with the evolution, physics, chemistry, meteorology, and motion of celestial objects, as well as the formation and development of the universe.

Tag Archive for: astronomy

white dwarfs

Why There Are Maximum Mass Limits for Compact Objects

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In this article, we will look at why there are maximum mass limits for objects that are supported against gravity by degeneracy pressure instead of kinetic…
dark energy supernova

Dark Energy Part 3: Fitting the SCP Union 2.1 Supernova Data

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In Part 1 of this 3-part series, I explained kinematics in Einstien-deSitter (EdS) cosmology and in Part 2, I explained kinematics in ##\Lambda##CDM cosmology…
supernova refsdal

Supernova Refsdal: Multiply-Imaged Supernova Explained

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Supernova (SN) Refsdal — Key PointsAstronomers have been trying to understand space for thousands of years. Supernova Refsdal was the first…
Cosmic Web Connections

Cosmic Web Connectivity: Galaxy Evolution and Quenching

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The universe was not perfectly uniform at the beginning; some regions had higher density than others. Over time these higher-density regions attracted…
Gaia search for black holes

Gaia Astrometry: Detecting Gravitational Waves Effectively

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Gravitational waves (GWs) are disturbances in spacetime produced by massive objects moving asymmetrically. Only the most massive and most relativistic…
uranus spin

Why Uranus Spins on Its Side: Spin–Orbit Resonance

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Uranus spins on its side. It has an obliquity (tilt) of 98° — its rotation axis lies closer to the ecliptic plane than any other planet — and astronomers…
mary Somerville

Mary Somerville: Scottish Polymath & RAS Honorary Member

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Google Doodle: Mary Somerville and Caroline Herschel The Google Doodle for 2 February 2020 celebrated Mary Somerville, the Scottish polymath and science…
What is Mass Inflation

Mass Inflation Inside Black Holes — Explanation & Equations

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Definition and summary Abstract from Poisson and Israel (1990), "Internal structure of black holes": "The gravitational effects associated with the radiative…
Sagittarius A

Calculate Sgr A* Spin from QPOs — Kerr Metric Derivation

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Introduction This Insight explains how it is possible to calculate the spin of Sagittarius A* — the supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky…
pamelagay

Pamela Gay Interview — Astronomy, Citizen Science & Outreach

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Please give us a bit of background into your educational and professional life. I'm a public school kid through and through. After going to the local…
nightsky

How Representative is the Night Sky?

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A couple of weeks back, a thread was started about whether or not most of the stars we see at night are brighter than our Sun. The consensus was yes. I'd…
pluto

Pluto Quiz: Think You Know Pluto?

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Pluto has been in the news quite a bit these past several months. Let's see if you've been paying attention. Feel free to share your score in the comments…
man_on_moon

Apollo Program: Moon Missions & Last Moonwalk 1972

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Eugene Cernan: Last to Walk on the Moon On December 11, 1972, astronaut Eugene Cernan became the last person to walk on the lunar surface, marking the…
LCDM4

Approximate LCDM Expansion in Simplified Math (Part 4)

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  Part 4: Cosmic Recession Rates An astronomer, accompanied by his amateur relativist friend, aimed a telescope at a distant galaxy and measured…
solar_eclipse

Solar Eclipse Viewing & Safety Guide — What to Expect

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Eclipse Viewing Key PointsNever view the Sun with the naked eye for any length of time; doing so can cause irreversible eye damage or blindness. …
supernova

Star Fate: From Nebulae to White Dwarfs and Black Holes

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Star Fate: From Birth to Black Holes Stars form in vast clouds of gas and dust called nebulae. Over time gravity pulls material together until the core…
DH - astrophysics

Interview with Astrophysicist D H

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Meet a Mentor is a series to help you get to know your wonderful Mentors better.Constructive questions and comments are welcome!Today we meet:…