astronomy Archives | Filling Space

How does one go about popularizing astronomy?

To individuals already interested in space, astronomy is fascinating. But for many people, astronomy does not hold any immediate appeal. One reason for this lack…

Cosmos

What’s it like studying fast radio bursts hundreds of lightyears away?

Editor May 22, 2020 astronomical phenomena astronomy Astrophysics big data astronomy fast radio bursts observatories telescopes the Milky Way the Square Kilometer Array the University of British Columbia

Fast radio bursts are astronomical phenomena not yet well-understood. They are transient pulses, emanating from unidentified high-energy astrophysical processes. To learn more about FRBs, we…

Society

Why should we keep our nighttime skies dark?

Editor May 1, 2020 activism astronomy conservation dark skies darkness light pollution nighttime outdoor lighting the International Dark-Sky Association the night sky

Is it important to keep our nighttime skies dark? There has been significant debate lately about this topic, spurred by the growth of satellite constellations.…

Society

How do law and space meet?

Editor January 31, 2020 astronomy Bond University extraterritoriality human rights law international law outer space remote sensing technologies space activity space Law space lawyers

As humans expand off-planet, which laws will govern their activities? Space law is a diverse field and is still largely underdeveloped. There are many areas…

Cosmos

Is our universe part of a larger multiverse?

Editor December 20, 2019 astronomy brane worlds cosmic bubbles inflation theory multiple universes multiverse theory physics quantum physics scientific debates the multiverse

Does the word “universe” best describe everything that exists – all of time, energy, and matter – or is it more appropriate to speak of…

Starter Kits

What do you need to set up an at-home astrophotography platform?

Editor December 7, 2019 astroguiding astronomical imaging astronomy astrophotography cameras equatorial mounts Robotics stargazing telescope platforms telescopes

Astrophotography is a rich and rewarding hobby, but the barrier to entry can be intimidating for beginners. The dizzying array of choices is a boon…

Cosmos

White dwarfs’ exoplanets – what do we know about them?

Editor November 15, 2019 astronomy Earth-like planets exoplanets geochemistry geophysics Habitability magnetic fields planetary systems space science white dwarfs

A booming area of space science is the study of “exoplanets”, the term for planets outside our Solar System. Telescopes like the Transiting Exoplanet Survey…

Cosmos

What will happen to our Solar System after the Sun dies?

Editor October 18, 2019 astronomy Astrophysics chaotic orbits earth gravity planetary debris planetary systems the asteroid belt the Solar System the Sun

When the Sun dies, it will become what we call a white dwarf. White dwarfs are small and incredibly dense – a teaspoon of white…

Life

What’s it like working as an astrobiologist?

Editor August 16, 2019 asteroids astrobiology astronomy bacteria biology comets earth science exoplanets geology meteors

Astrobiology is a relatively recent area of study that investigates the origin and evolution of life in the universe. Being an astrobiologist combines perspectives from…

Life

How will humans be able to reach other worlds?

Editor July 26, 2019 artificial worlds astronomy hibernation interplanetary travel interstellar species multigenerational journeys propulsion mechanisms sleep regulation starships transhumanism

Other worlds are far away. If humanity is to become an interplanetary or interstellar species, how will humans make it so far? Some proposals include…