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Blog 8 : Signing Off
After learning so much about our solar system, I look at the universe differently. I am optimistic about the future prospects of other civilizations. I am excited about the new space missions.I am excited to look at what New Horizons can find in the Kuiper belt. I am optimistic about Humans living on the moon and Mars in my lifetime.
Current Spacecraft -
Blog 7:Fermi Paradox
The Fermi paradox is the conflict between the lack of evidence for extraterrestrials and the high estimates for their existence .
The name came from the Italian-American Physicist Enrico Fermi.
He was roughly quoted as saying “Where is everybody?”
This paradox has been explained by saying that the number of intelligent civilizations is very low. Also that they can vary over the time of the universes existence so there is little chance that they would interact.
Fermi Paradox This paradox stems from the drake equation.
The chain of reason uses the idea that the sun is not special. There is a high chance that there are other planets in the habitable range.Many of these planets and stars are likely older than Earth.They have likely developed intelligent life before Earth.Some have likely developed interstellar travel.It is likely that the other civilizations have already developed this and have visited Earth.
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Blog 5: Eris
Eris and Dysnomia Eris is a trans-Neptunian object and is the second-largest dwarf planet in the solar system. It was discovered in 2005. It is .28 % the mass of Earth. Eris has one large moon, Dsymonia.It is about 96 AU away from the sun. Its orbital period is 559 Years. Its surface has methane ice. This shows that Eris has always been at the solar system’s edge.
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Blog 6: Planet Nine
Planet Nine Concept from Earth Sky Planet Nine is a hypothetical planet on the edge of the solar system. Its gravity would explain the weird orbit of objects beyond Neptune. It is predicted to be 5 times the size of Earth. It is assumed to be about 400- AU
The Scientists who created this hypothesis believe that the star formed much closer and was ejected by Saturn or Jupiter. It likely would have become a Gas Giant but it was flung away from the rest of the solar system.
The planet would be hard to find because there is very little light.
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Cool Parts of the Atmosphere of Venus
Venus captured by NASA Composition of Venus’ Atmosphere
96.5% Carbon Dioxide
3.5% Nitrogen
Venus lacks a magnetic field. Its ionosphere separates it from outer space and the sun’s wind.
4 Billion Years Ago it is assumed that the atmosphere of Venus was a lot like earth’s atmosphere. There could have been liquid water. The area 50-65 km above the surface of Venus is the most Earth-like place in the solar system with breathable air that is like helium.
Troposphere
The troposphere is the densest part of the atmosphere. The troposphere has an atmospheric pressure strong enough that carbon dioxide turns into a supercritical fluid. A large amount of carbon dioxide and water vapor help create a strong greenhouse effect. This traps solar energy and increases the temperature.
Venus has an ionosphere. The ionosphere is related to temperature. The high ionization occurs on the dayside of the planet.
Venus has an induced magnetosphere. It is caused by the sun carrying solar wind.
Sources:Venus on Wikipedia
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What was Theia?
Ancient Planet, Theia Theia was about the size of Mars.
It orbited with Earth.
It crashed into the Earth and the debris helped create the moon.
The core of Theia combined with the core of Earth.
Scientists disagree on this and some believe that it formed into multiple moons.
It is hypothesized to have orbited in the L4 or L5 position of Earth’s orbit.
It is believed that Jupiter and Venus caused Theia to run into the Earth.\
Sources: Wikipedia, Planetpedia
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Blog 2:Spectroscopy
Absorption vs Emission Spectra Spectroscopy is the information that comes from a spectrum. The spectra of an object tell us the electrical electromagnetic radiation, the chemical composition, and the wavelength of an object.Each type of molecule and atom will react to the electromagnetic radiation in a different way.One type of spectroscopy, absorption spectroscopy , the light is absorbed by molecules and changes energy states A detector records the depth and the absorption of wavelengths.This is known as a absorption spectrum.
Sources : Understanding Spectrometry and Spectroscopy, Spectroscopy
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Galileo in Context
1564-1642
More info on GalileoA significant event that happened during Galileo’s time was the settlement of Jamestown,Virginia.(1606)
Another significant event that happened was the publication of the King James Bible in England.(1611)
A significant figure that was alive during Galileo’s time was William Shakespeare.Shakespeare was born April 23, 1564.He died on April 23,1616.Shakespeare is interesting because he wrote some of the most influential literary pieces of his time.
More info on ShakespeareIt is interesting to learn that Galileo’s accomplishments didn’t happen that long ago.His contributions to astronomy are about as old as the English colonies in the new world.This conveys the lack of knowledge we have about astronomy.This field is very new and there is a lot more to be discovered in the field.
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Blog 1:What Causes Seasons?
It is commonly believed that the Earth’s distance from the Sun determines the seasons. The Earth’s orbit is lopsided and we are closer to the sun at different times in the year. In the northern hemisphere, we are closest to the sun when we have winter debunking the misconception that the distance to the sun affects the seasons.
Image From Earth Sky The change in seasons is caused by the Earth’s tilt. The Earth’s tilt is with respect to the orbital plane of the Earth. When the Earth has one hemisphere tilted toward the sun, that hemisphere has summer. The opposite hemisphere it is winter. When the hemispheres are both 90 degrees away, we have an equinox. The entire world has 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of night.
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About Me
Image from Malcolm Macgregor My name is Charles Littleton. I am from Nashville, Tennessee. This picture shows the beautiful Nashville skyline. This is my introductory blog for Astro 2110.
Charles Blogs About Astronomy
Fun, Unique Astronomy Blogs
Charles Blogs About Astronomy 
