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October 4, 2007
Show 122: When Galaxies Collide
The nearby Andromeda Galaxy may one day capture our Sun and planets. Now more than two million light years distant, Andromeda and our own Milky Way galaxy are approaching each other. In the far distant future, the two galaxies will collide with drastic results.
September 27, 2007
Show 121: Through the Veil
When a star explodes, it leaves behind a glowing cloud of heated gas called a supernova remnant. Hubble recently took pictures of one of these remnants — the Veil Nebula, 1,400 light years away. The nebula’s star would have exploded thousands of years ago, leaving behind an expanding bubble of gas. Scientists are fascinated by supernovae because the explosions create and scatter certain vital elements around the universe.
September 20, 2007
Show 120: Solar Ripples
It’s a puzzle – the outer atmosphere of the Sun, called the corona, is actually much hotter than the Sun itself. Now scientists using the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory think they may have found one of the reasons why: waves that run along the Sun’s magnetic field and reach far into space. The ripples of plasma may transfer energy to the corona.
September 13, 2007
Show 119: Moon Flashes
As early as 527 A.D, astute observers of the Moon have reported a variety of odd events on the Moon’s surface, including bright flashes, localized reddish hues and haze. Are these Transient Lunar Phenomena (TLP) real? And if so what are they? Professor Arlin Crotts of Columbia suggests the changes can be traced to the emission of gas from the Moon’s surface.
September 6, 2007
Show 118: Canary Islands Telescope
Tests have begun on one of world’s largest optical telescopes, located on a mountaintop on the Canary Islands. Situated 7,900 feet above sea level, the huge Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC) consists of a mirror measuring 34 feet across and is made up of 36 separate hexagonal mirror segments. This Spanish-led telescope will be able to spot some of faintest, most distant objects in universe.
August 30, 2007
Show 117: Earth and Sky
Google Earth let users explore the planet through satellite imagery. Now it’s letting those users turn their attention to the heavens.
Google Earth, working with the Space Telescope Science Institute, now offers a feature that explores the night sky. Users can browse the cosmos and zoom in to get Hubble images, background information and links.
And speaking of satellites, 2007 is the 50th anniversary of the International Geophysical Year, declared in 1957. Sixty-seven countries participated in the coordinated attempt to observe the globe and atmosphere. Americans and the Soviet Union successfully launched satellites as part of the program. The National Academy of Sciences is celebrating the anniversary with events around the United States.
August 23, 2007
Show 116: HubbleWatch for August 2007
A strangely shaped cloud of dust around a newborn star has astronomers scratching their heads. The lopsided disk may have been caused by the gravity of planets sweeping up debris in the disk, or by the gravity of a nearby star.
And Uranus’ rings are about to go missing. Every 42 years, Uranus’ orbit brings its thin rings in line with Earth, making them vanish like a sheet of paper held up on its edge at eye level. Astronomers use the opportunity to search for moons that might otherwise be hidden by the rings.
August 23, 2007
Show 115: One Lunar Eclipse Coming Up
Two to four times a year, the Moon passes through a portion of the Earth’s shadow, causing an eclipse. On August 28, skywatchers will be treated to a total lunar eclipse starting at 4:30 a.m. EST. All of North America will be able to see some portion of the eclipse. From the eastern USA, the Great Lakes region and Ontario, the Moon will sets while total eclipse. Only observers to the west of the Rockies (including Alaska) will be treated to the entire event.
