Astrophysics
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Supernovae Advance Models of Stellar Evolution
Images of recent supernovae have enabled astronomers to identify the precursor stars of these explosions, overturning accepted theories of the evolution of massive stars.
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The Compton Gamma Ray Observatory
NASA's orbital observatory program contained four Telescopes to observe different electromagnetic frequencies. The Compton observatory looked for gamma-rays.
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Sunspots Seem to Have Vanished
In 2008, no sunspots were observed on 266 of the year's 366 days (73%), a low surpassed only in 1913, which had 311 spotless days (85%).
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Is the Universe Biocentric?
Biocentrism is a recent and highly controversial theory that proposes the existence of the universe is dependent upon the presence of life within that universe.
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The End of the Universe
No one is sure how the end will come to the Universe. However, some interesting theories have emerged that could explain how it all might happen.
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What is Helioseismology?
With the aid of helioseismology, the interior of the Sun is no longer hidden from view.
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Our Universe Could be One of Many
Theorists believe there is a strong possibility other universes exist. Many universe 'bubbles' could lurk nearby and crash into each other.
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New Observations of the Orion Nebula
New observations of the Orion Nebula reveal a much busier star forming scene than previously considered.
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Calculating Density of Black Holes
To form a black hole, matter must be compressed to such high densities that it is smaller than the event horizon or Schwarzschild radius.
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The Black Hole War - A Review
Susskind's "Battle with Stephen Hawking to Make the World Safe for Quantum Mechanics" is a fascinating, if mind-boggling, read.
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Maunder Minimum & Variable Sun
Long cycles in sunspots and other solar activity may have affected the Sun's energy output and Earth's climate.
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Solar Constant and Variable Sun
Many stars are variable stars that change brightness. Any possible solar variations must be very small, but does the Sun's energy output vary?
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Solar Faculae
Faculae are bright regions on the Sun's photosphere affecting solar energy output. Changes in the number of faculae and sunspots may play a role in global climate change.
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Invisible Astronomy
In addition to visible light, astronomers use ultraviolet, infrared, radio waves, X-rays and gamma rays to study planets, stars, galaxies, and other celestial objects.
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What is Radio Astronomy?
In addition to visible light, astronomers study radio waves from the Sun, planets, stars, galaxies, and other celestial objects.
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Origin of Matter in the Universe
In the big bang theory, matter formed in the early universe as elementary particles including protons, electrons, and neutrons.
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Nucleosynthesis in the Big Bang
The lightest four elements on the periodic table were made in nuclear fusion reactions shortly after the big bang.
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GUTS and Inflation in the Big Bang
Shortly after the initial big bang, the universe went through a period of very rapid expansion called the inflationary period.
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The Planck Time and the Big Bang
In the big bang theory, the Planck time is the first miniscule fraction of a second after the initial big bang. The universe had just come into being.
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Predicting the Expanding Universe
Hubble discovered the expansion of the universe, but De Sitter, Friedman, & Lemaitre used Einstein's general relativity to predict the expanding universe & the big bang.
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Discovering The Expanding Universe
Edwin Hubble along with his assistant Milton Humason made the observations of distant galaxy redshifts that showed the expansion of the universe.
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Spectrum of the Andromeda Galaxy
Vesto M. Slipher was the first astronomer to measure the spectrum of an external galaxy. His work led to Hubble's discovery that the universe is expanding.
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History of the Big Bang Theory
George Gamow was an early advocate of the big bang theory for the origin of the universe. Many of his details were incorrect, but he got the essential idea right.
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Very Brief History of the Universe
A brief overview of the history of the universe from its origin in the big bang to the origin of life on Earth and how the needed raw materials for life formed.
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The Cosmic Background Radiation
Penzias and Wilson accidentally discovered the 3K cosmic microwave background radiation, which provided strong evidence supporting the big bang theory.
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