(This post has been edited slightly from the original to include the MESSENGER mission to Mercury and to correct a misstatement about galactic black holes.) As the end of calendar year 2011 approaches, I thought my readers might enjoy a look back at some of the key events of the year in astronomy. The usual caveats [...]
There is a reason why most of the major observatories in the U.S. are west of the Mississippi River. The clouds and rain we have had in Virginia for the last several weeks have reduced our view of the heavens to about 10,000 feet above us. I know my friends and loved ones in Texas would love [...]
…then I have the site for you. Astrobites (http://astrobites.com/) is the “astrophysics reader’s digest”, a role which it fills admirably. (Full disclosure: one of the writers for the site is the daughter of a friend and professional colleague.) Astrophysics graduate students summarize research posted elsewhere, writing in a manner designed to be accessible to undergraduates. It [...]
On Wednesday, January 26th, NASA will hold a press conference to announce a new discovery by researchers using the Hubble Space Telescope. What might that announcement contain? There are a few clues. NASA has said that “Astronomers have pushed the Hubble Space Telescope to its limits and have seen further back in time than ever [...]
