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Blog Archive
Posted by Casey Dreier on 2012/08/17 11:45 CDT | 16 comments
There was upsetting news today, as the National Science Foundation's Division of Astronomical Sciences released a report that recommended divesting from several highly successful radio telescopes. The money in question, as usual, amounts to almost nothing. The effects, however, are massive.
Virtual Star Parties
staff-blog-post
Posted by Emily Lakdawalla on 2012/06/28 12:02 CDT
Hang out with Fraser Cain and amateur astronomers all over the world in Cosmoquest's Virtual Star parties conducted over Google+. Here's how -- plus an inspiring video produced by Google to show just how cool this is.
Posted by Emily Lakdawalla on 2012/06/14 11:00 CDT | 7 comments
A reader comment on Jay Pasachoff's post last week about Venus transits viewed from other planets had me asking whether transits of other planets were also interesting to astronomers. Jay provided some answers!
NRO gives NASA two hand-me-down telescopes
Posted by Jason Davis on 2012/06/07 08:28 CDT | 4 comments
The National Reconnaissance Office has donated two, partially-completed space telescopes to NASA, revealed at a National Academies' Committee on Astronomy and Astrophysics meeting this week.
Transit of Venus June 5: Why Should You Care and How to Observe
Posted by Bruce Betts on 2012/06/02 01:56 CDT | 2 comments
A rare astronomical event occurs June 5/6. Find out why you should care and how to observe it.
Full Free Intro Astronomy Class Now Online
Posted by Bruce Betts on 2012/05/22 02:57 CDT | 1 comments
Bruce Betts' complete CSUDH Intro Astronomy and Planetary Science class is now available online. Find out how to access it, and go behind the scenes.
Some Details About Transits of Venus
Posted by David Shortt on 2012/05/22 06:02 CDT | 2 comments
The upcoming rare transit of Venus is one step in a long dance among Earth, Venus and the Sun. Transits of Venus follow a peculiar pattern—two transits 8 years apart, then 105.5 years with no transits, then two transits 8 years apart, then 121.5 years with no transits, for a total cycle of 243 years—and thereby hangs a tale.
Night Sky Guide for Summer 2012
Posted by Ray Sanders on 2012/05/11 11:14 CDT
This summer should provide great opportunities for stargazers to view planets, meteor showers, the transit of Venus, and for some, the annular solar eclipse. Check out these highlights of what you can look forward to this summer.
Planetary Radio: Taking Back the Night
Posted by Mat Kaplan on 2012/04/17 03:39 CDT
Planetary Radio for April 16, 2012 features an interview with Scott Kardel of the International Dark Sky Association.
Infographic: Viewing our universe's colors
Posted by Emily Lakdawalla on 2012/02/14 03:08 CST
An infographic explains in what "colors" of electromagnetic radiation we been able to observe our universe, over the length of the space age.
Checking up on Jupiter and Saturn
Posted by Emily Lakdawalla on 2012/02/10 01:51 CST
It's amateur astronomers, not professionals, who are shouldering the burden of constant monitoring of the weather on Jupiter and Saturn. What's going on these days in the outer solar system?�
Bruce Betts' Free Online Intro To Astronomy Course
Posted by Mat Kaplan on 2012/01/31 08:35 CST
Bruce Betts will be returning to the virtual classroom at California State University, Dominguez Hills for an Intro To Astronomy course. The first lecture will be Wednesday, February 8, from 3:00 to 4:30pm Pacific Time.
Today's 365 Days of Astronomy Podcast Offers a Free, Online Astronomy Class!
Posted by Mat Kaplan on 2012/01/26 09:06 CST
The 365 Days of Astronomy Podcast begins this year's effort with an interview with Bruce Betts, who will be starting an online astronomy course. A transcription of the interview is included in this post, as well as a link to the podcast.
Posted by Meg Schwamb on 2011/06/08 02:43 CDT
On May 5 and 6, I had a run on the WIYN (Wisconsin-Indiana-Yale-NOAO) telescope, a 3.5 m telescope, the second largest telescope on Kitt Peak in Arizona.
Summer Sights of the Solar System
Posted by Ray Sanders on 2011/06/07 03:23 CDT
What can you expect to see if you look at the night sky this summer(2011)?
Citizen Science projects for Planetary Science: Get Involved! Do Science!
Posted by Mike Malaska on 2011/05/12 05:13 CDT
Citizen Science projects let volunteers easily contribute to active science programs. They're useful when there is so much data it overwhelms computing algorithms (if they exist) or the scientific research team attempting to process it.
Congratulations to the WISE team on a beautiful "First Light" photo!
Posted by Emily Lakdawalla on 2010/01/06 12:51 CST
Congratulations are due to the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) team on their lovely "First Light" image, unveiled at the 215th American Astronomical Society meeting.
Posted by David Seal on 2009/06/02 01:58 CDT
David Seal muses on his time as the mission planner for Cassini, and the history behind its name, and astronomy in Rome.
Posted by Jim Bell on 2009/05/04 12:46 CDT
Jim Bell describes his proposal to join the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Cameras science team.
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