Are you a Planet? A humble proposal. July 17, 2008
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UB313/Xena/Gabrielle/Eris/Dysnomia!
(Artists’ Conception)
Here’s a fun proposal. Next time you find yoursef bored, go into the science department of your local university and just casually pose the question “gee, maybe Pluto should/shouldn’t be a planet.” Then stand back and watch the slide rules fly (yes real science geeks still pack slide rules, for when the apocalyspe comes!) (more…)
View your own Star of Bethlehem December 22, 2007
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Venus at dawn. (Credit: flickr).
Over the years, much ink (real and cyber) has been spilt over the astronomical origins of the Star of Bethlehem. Biblical references are scant in regards to what the wise men may have seen; we know that the star “went before them…” every morning until it lay over the manger; the rest was history. But what was it?
My Personal Connection with the Universe September 6, 2007
Posted by webmaster in : Astronomy: a Philosophy , 1 comment so farEven since I was young, I’ve looked towards the stars. One of my earliest memories was looking up at the cresent moon, in conjunction with some bright planet (probably Venus) as my Aunt Lorraine carried me up to our apartment in Mapleton, Maine. Not that I knew what any of these objects were. I just thought that they were bright and shiny, and due my rapt attention. All these years later, a rising moon still draws me outdoors. (more…)