Planets have two motions in space. The first one is their rotation, where they spin on their axis. They also move around the sun, which is called their revolution. On their journey around the sun, they follow an imaginary track called the orbit.
Light is a form of energy that allows us to see. And our major source of this energy is the sun. Light is considered Electromagnetic Radiation, which includes infrared rays, ultraviolet and radio waves. Through the ages, scientists have formulated theories on light?s nature. Because of its behavior and observed properties, it has the dual
Electromagnetic Radiation Read More »
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
Hertz is a unit of frequency with an abbreviation, Hz. It is equal to number of cycles per second of a periodic phenomenon. It was the German physics professor Heinrich Rudolf Hertz who expanded on the identifying electromagnetic waves. He was the first to experiment on generating and receiving electromagnetic waves. In particular, he used
Hertz & Electromagnetic Radiation Read More »
Photo by: RichN Creative Commons Zodiacal light is a faint white glow in the nighttime sky. There are space dusts in the zodiacal clouds that when hit by the sun’s light, give a white glow on a dark night here on Earth. On an evening when there is no moon, it is said that 60%
When stars reach their final stage, some explode as a consequence of nuclear reactions occurring inside the core. The stellar explosion is called the supernova which is divided into physical types: the Type I and Type II. They are basically classified according to their luminosities and spectral lines. Type II supernovas have lesser peaking of
Type II Supernovae Read More »
Photo by: CWitte Creative Commons Virgo cluster is a group or clusters of galaxies in the universe. The cluster includes approximately 1,300 to 2,000 galaxies. Some are big while 90% of them are dwarf galaxies. These galaxies are attracted to each other by a common gravitational force. The Virgo cluster spans 15 million light years
A spectrometer is an instrument that is used in analyzing a specific portion of light. This instrument is commonly used in to provide spectral analysis in identifying materials. If you are highly observant, you would have noticed that these instruments have found their way into pop TV culture.
The local magnetic field of the earth traps protons, ions, and electrons forming a protective layer which is called the Van Allen radiation belt that takes the shape of a torus, consisting of an outer layer and an inner layer. The charged particles are caused by the cosmic rays from the sun.
Van Allen Radiation Belt Read More »
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.
