Globular clusters are vast swarms of stars, up to a hundred thousand or more, which were formed through time. Tightly bound up by gravity, globular clusters are spherical in size. The stars in a globular cluster are red giants, much older than our Sun or our Solar System. Each globular cluster can contain hundreds of […]
The heliosphere is the protective layer surrounding the sun. It is like a bubble in space that is basically produced by solar winds. Solar wind is composed of particles, ionized atoms and magnetic field. This wind streams off of the Sun at the speed of about 400 km/s. This speed will start to slow down
The flow of neutral or charged gas ejected from a star’s upper atmosphere is referred to as the stellar wind. It is distinguished by the less collimated bipolar outflow characteristics of a young star. However, stellar winds are not spherically symmetric.
In physics and chemistry, superfluid refers to a special phase of matter which has been cooled to temperatures that are near absolute zero, its molecules exhibit unusual quantum properties. We know of superfluids being prepared in large laboratories to perform experiments. However through more recent space explorations and observations, it has been determined that superfluids
In astrophysics, a gravitational wave is a wavering or fluctuation in space-time, traveling outwards from the source. In short, it is like a ‘ripple in space-time’, just like the small waves produced by a boat sailing through a sea. This is caused by large, moving celestial bodies such as stars and black holes. The more
Gravitational Waves Read More »
The magnetopause is the layer that acts as the Earth’s shield from the solar wind. It is found between the surrounding plasma and magnetosphere or the magnetic field. The surface of the magnetopause has a complex shape. It flaps, ripples, and moves in different directions, inward or outward, depending on the solar wind conditions. The
Seeing comets is an awesome experience. Being able to see a very rare comet in one’s lifetime is truly one unforgettable moment. Comets despite its very bright and seemingly burning appearance are actually bodies of ice in the Solar System. When these comets get near the Sun, a coma may be visible to stargazers or
Long Period Comets Read More »
Stellar mass loss is a phenomenon that occurs in massive stars. This phenomenon is observed when a big portion of the mass of a star is triggered by specific events. Stellar mass loss happen can also when a giant star loses its material little by little into interstellar space or due to binary companion.
The general meaning of the word inclination is the angle between a reference plane and another plane or axis of direction. When it comes to astronomy, it is defined as a measure of the tilt of a certain planet’s orbital plane in relation to that of Earth.
Planets, stars and moons are not the only occupants of the universe. Our solar system alone is filled with amazing things and phenomena that are sometimes difficult to explain. Microgravity is one phenomena. Learning in school, we learn that gravity is an invisible force between objects as the Earth tries to pull everything down towards
