Archive for category Astronomy
Astronomy For Beginners
Many people are interested in what lies beyond the Earth and moon. Humans by nature are curious and, therefore, it is only natural that people want to learn and understand more and more about stars, planets, comets and galaxies. Also, popular sci-fi television serials and movies have further fueled the yearning to look beyond the Earth.
However, if you are a beginner of astronomy, there is more to this subject than just identifying the stars lighting up the night sky. It also involves understanding how different celestial bodies move and how they influence other celestial bodies. Recently, it has been concluded that astronomy is very similar to astrophysics.
Astronomy consists of two branches, namely observational astronomy and theoretical astronomy. Observational astronomy deals with gathering and analyzing data, while theoretical astronomy deals with making models that help to explain the different astronomical objects and astronomical phenomena. Then results from both branches are used in order to explain all the observations made and to confirm the results of the theories.
Many amateur astronomers have left their mark on this field of science. They have been instrumental in making amazing discoveries. In fact, astronomy is one of fields of science where amateurs and beginners are allowed to play active roles. So, if you want to cultivate this hobby, you are not alone. There are many clubs for amateur astronomers and the members of these clubs are very serious about observing the positions of various celestial objects.
As a beginner in astronomy, you will need a telescope to help you identify the different celestial bodies in the night sky. Conduct a research on the different types of telescopes and buy one that suits your needs and budget. You can also check out various online forums for amateurs and beginners where you can get useful tips on making the right selection on a telescope. Also, invest money in a good book that will help you identify the different stars and celestial objects. Read the rest of this entry »
Some of the Popular Moons of Jupiter
Jupiter is the largest planet in the Solar System. It is located around 500 million miles from the Sun, and its atmosphere is made up of 90 percent of hydrogen, 10 percent of helium and little bit of methane and ammonia. Besides the sun, Jupiter also emits heat into our Solar System.
The most interesting part about Jupiter is its numerous moons. According to astronomers, the planet has more than 63 moons, but the most popular are Sinope, Ganymede, Metis, Thebe and Europa. Four of the moons of the planet were discovered by Galileo in 1610. He named these moons Europa, Callisto, Io and Ganymede. Sometimes, these four moons are also known as Galilean moons.
Ganymede: This moon of Jupiter got is name from Greek mythology where Ganymede was the cup bearer. Ganymede is the largest of all the moons of the planet and it is also the largest moon in our Solar System. It is bigger in size than Mercury and Mars. This moon was named by Simon Marius, who was an astronomer. It is believed that the surface of Ganymede is made up of ice and water. While it is believed that Ganymede does not have any atmosphere, recent discovery shows presence of ozone.
Europa: In Greek mythology, the Phoenician princess who managed to mesmerize Zeus was named Europa. This moon of Jupiter has characteristic red cracks criss-crossing its surface. It is the 4th largest moon of the planet. It is believed that Europa has water, and hence, it is capable of sustaining life.
Io: Named after the woman who Jupiter, the Greek god, had fallen in love with. This moon is the third largest of all the moons that Jupiter has. Io is home to several volcanoes, which are active and responsible for releasing sulfuric acid.
Callisto: This is the second largest moon of Jupiter and named after the nymph who bewitched Zeus. Callisto is similar in size to Mercury, and it is believed that its crust about 4 billion years old.
Astronomers and astrophysicists are still trying to discover more moons around Jupiter, and it is quite possible that we will be hearing more about this planet with numerous moons in the near future.
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Kum Martin is an online leading expert in the astrology and education. He also offers top quality articles like: Chinese Ancient Astronomy, Milky Way Galaxy
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