We view celestial objects from a distance and use their brightness to make observations. Amateur astronomers and scientists often make use of a celestial object’s limiting magnitude, which is a measure of the lowest or faintest apparent magnitude that can be seen using a particular instrument. In simple terms, limiting magnitude is often considered as […]
Limiting Magnitude Read More »
In science, especially astronomy, all types of equipment abound. One of which is the siderostat. Unknown to many, various apparatus may have a different names, but the less known words are the generalized of the more formal term for these scientific or astronomical equipment. A siderostat is defined as the formal or the general term
People are very conscious of their weight. When they see that they exceed the normal weight they should have, they worry and go on a diet and perform regular exercise. But if they go to the moon or where there is no gravity pulling them down, they become weightless. The earth has a gravitational force
Photo by: RJHall Creative Commons Volatiles are chemical elements and compounds that have small boiling points and are found or connected to the atmosphere and crust of both a moon and a planet. Elements such as hydrogen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, ammonia, and methane are types of volatiles. Water is also a perfect example as well
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
Photo by: Kapeke.de Creative Commons The Schmidt–Cassegrain telescope is a known variation of the Schmidt camera, and is compact enough to present excellent results especially when not pushed to its design limits. It permits outstanding visual observation of the skies with its convex and spherical secondary mirror reflecting the converging beam originating from the primary
Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope Read More »
You can determine the characteristics of a star by breaking down its light into its components. This collection of colors obtained is called a spectrum, and is useful in determining the elements and other components of stars. We know the spectrum of our own sun whenever we view its spectrum, whenever we see a rainbow.
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.
You can find out a lot about certain object by analyzing its light. Breaking down a star’s light into different wavelengths for example, can give you information about its mass, composition and temperature. By doing this, you are actually employing the science of spectroscopy, looking at the interaction of materials and radiated energy.
If in astronomy, there is what people call the North Celestial Pole, then there is also what stargazers call the South Celestial Pole. Unlike the North Celestial Pole whose reference star is the Polaris, it is harder to look for this pole, due to circumstances that there is no reference star to look for in
South Celestial Pole Read More »
