Measurements

Megaparsec

Just like the parsec (an abbreviation for Parallax of one arcsecond) and kiloparsec (equivalent to 1,000 parsecs, or KPC for short), the megaparsec (or MPC) is a measurement unit that is used in astronomy to measure the great, vast distance between galaxies in intergalactic space. It is said that one parsec is equal to about […]

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Meridian

Meridian, latitude, longitude, equator – these are words normally used in geography. Not many people know that they are also used as terms in the field of astronomy. Meridian astronomy, in particular, is used to make correct measurements in the sky so that celestial bodies (stars, planets, etc.) can be charted – an astronomical time-keeping

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Speed of Light

The speed of light is the fastest possible speed by which anything can travel. You cannot go faster than this. Numerically, the speed of light is approximately 186,280 miles per second. Photo by: Brews ohare Creative Commons What makes this quantity important? In astronomy, this is very important as distances are measured in light years.

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Microwaves

Although the public is familiar with microwaves as a tool to heating food, generally microwaves are minute wavelengths of electromagnetic energy that can be measured using centimeters, and are used in a broader sense. It is even believed in theory that microwaves are the cooled and calmed form of gamma radiation.

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Magnitude

When you look at the stars, you will notice that some of them are brighter than the others. The differences in brightness are assigned with specific numbers that correspond to their magnitude. Magnitude starts from -1, which is considered as the brightest star. The dimmer a star becomes, it gets a number with a higher

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