Tag Archive | "Milky Way"
The Birth of Stars
Three extraordinary photographs from the Hubble Heritage Project reveal star formation in compelling, multi-colored beauty, while continuing to advance our understanding of space. As we set out to explore the intricacies of these telescopic images, stand by to be awestruck at the majesty of the universe.
Continue reading...Understanding Black Holes
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Black Holes have been confirmed by the tens of thousands throughout the universe. Often located at the center of large galaxies, they power star formation and are the most spectacular example of a 'singularity' - an object where the laws of nature as we understand them do not apply.
Continue reading...Peering into the Beginnings of the Universe
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Scheduled to launch in April 2009, the Herschel and Planck space telescopes bring capabilities never before available to study the origins of stars, galaxies and the universe. The expected data might revolutionize both astrophysics and philosophy.
Continue reading...Milky Way Observed Over Mauna Kea Volcano
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Our galaxy has been photographed many times, but this just released NASA panorama is a beauty! The Milky Way is a large spiral galaxy that contains 200-400 billion stars and is 13.2 billion years old. On Earth, we are inside the galactic disk of the Milky Way, which is the arc of uncountable 'milky stars' we see in the night sky.
Continue reading...Supermassive Black Hole at the Center of the Milky Way
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Astronomers made a spectacular announcement in late fall, 2008. Suspected for several years, a massive black hole has been identified at the galactic center. Black holes are still difficult to understand. They are created by the gravitational collapse of the most massive stars. Some of the star's material is blown away in a colossal explosion called a supernovae.
Continue reading...Massive Exo-Planet 63 Light-Years Away Photographed
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Beta Pictoris is a fascinating star not far from our sun. It has two discs within which planetesimals collide and planets form. Its largest planet, is hot, young and the first close orbit planet to be photographed. First images of Beta Pictoris's disc were obtained in 1984. Such stellar discs are 'young' by astronomical standards and inside the disc of Beta Pictoris is a clear zone about the diameter of our solar system.
Continue reading...The Densest Planet
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Space telescopes have catalogued a universe of previously unknown wonders and mysteries. The list still grows monthly and certainly far away planets orbiting other stars are hypnotically fascinating. Will any of these prove up as 'Earth-like' with an environment that could support DNA, cellular tissue, life-as-we-know-it?
Continue reading...Are Jupiter and Saturn Brown Dwarfs, Not Planets?
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
COROT spacecraft approaching a star field that contains brown dwarfs Image by D Ducros/CNES Our early science classes taught us the difference between stars and planets, the description and properties of each were clear. Now astronomers have found objects in the Milky Way that are neither planets nor stars. [...]
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Friday, April 17, 2009
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