Review: The Telescope by Geoff Anderson.

 
 
   Few inventions are as near and dear to our hearts as that of the telescope. Before its invention, astronomy was scarcely better than its pseudo-science companion of astrology in its knowledge of predicting the universe as it truly is. In this week’s review, we’ll look at The Telescope by Geoff Anderson out from Princeton Press [...]

15.05.10: A Speedy Binary.

 
  
  
   Think that new Ducati in your garage is fast? Let me introduce you to HM Cancri. An unassuming +21 magnitude binary in the constellation Cancer, HM Cancri is comprised of two white dwarfs locked in a tight embrace. In fact, this binary system has the shortest orbital period known, handily knocking down distant contender [...]

30.10.09:The World’s Largest Telescope is Unveiled.

Move over Keck… the world’s largest telescope is now in service! The Gran Telescopio Canaris (GTC) was commissioned this summer on July 24th. Perched on La Palma island in the Canary Islands, this beast sports a 10.4-meter segmented mirror. This gives it a collection area over 6 square meters larger than contending 8 to 10 [...]

13.10.09:A Hawaiian Mega-scope?

The green light was given earlier this year in mid-July as to the site selection for a telescope that if built, will be the largest in the world. The Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) will be parked atop Mauna Kea in Hawaii, home to a collection of scopes, including the Keck, Subaru, and Gemini instruments. As [...]

09.10.09: An LCROSS Update.

NASA’s LCROSS spacecraft performed its promised “moon crash” early this AM at 0731 AM EDT… all eyes, electronic and otherwise were on Cabeus crater. Unfortunately, no impact was detected here at Astroguyz HQ in Hudson, Florida, although we did have a rising Sun and a brightening sky to contend with. The 10 AM news conference [...]