Pupils at Denny High have been given the codes to one of the most advanced telescopes in the world. They are helping the Open University develop a new astronomy course by testing software that will let people around the world order the Canary Island-based telescope to take pictures of deep space.Dr Alan Cayless, an astronomer and staff tutor at the OU, commissioned the youngsters to help him test the technology on the PIRATE and COAST telescopes.Dr Cayless said: “These pupils have the universe at their fingertips, and it has been incredible to see their interest in space and selecting the objects to be photographed.” The teacher who runs the STEM club, Kathryn Sharp, said: “Projects like this bring science to life for our pupils.“We’re constantly seeking new partnerships and collaborations to show our pupils where STEM subjects can take them. In this case it’s infinity and beyond!”Dr Cayless intends to have the open access course … [Read more...] about Denny High pupils helping Open University devise new astronomy course
Astronomy
Rocket-fuelled astronomy day hailed a blast
Video PUBLISHED: 12:23 10 June 2018 Liz Coates Alistair Mitchell, eight, takes a look through an eight inch Orion Reflector Telescope at the Astronomy and Space event at Seething. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY Copyright: Archant 2018 Rocket science plunged back down to Earth as hundreds of home-made devices were launched into the skies at the weekend. Jessica Sanders, nine, right, with her large rocket she has made, testing it out with her sister, Mia, seven, at the Astronomy and Space event at Seething. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY Some 300 people attended Seething Observatory to take part in a galaxy of activities with experiments, projects, talks and trails going on all afternoon on Saturday. Organised by the Norwich Astronomical Society it brought together related organisations interested in promoting the wonders of the universe. Sisters Aeryn, eight, left, and Anais Goreham, seven, with their brother Anton, 10, build a rocket at the Astronomy and Space event at Seething. Picture: … [Read more...] about Rocket-fuelled astronomy day hailed a blast
The race to colonize Mars is on, but this astronomy professor isn’t sure we should go
Share This Story! Let friends in your social network know what you are reading about Facebook Email Twitter Google+ LinkedIn Pinterest The race to colonize Mars is on, but this astronomy professor isn't sure we should go Professor David Weintraub writes about the ethical quandaries that lay ahead in his new book "Life on Mars: What to Know Before We Go." Sent! A link has been sent to your friend's email address. Posted! A link has been posted to your Facebook feed. Join the Conversation To find out more about Facebook commenting please read the Conversation Guidelines and FAQs USA Today Network Holly Meyer, The Tennessean Published 6:31 a.m. ChT May 15, 2018 | Updated 6:35 a.m. ChT May 15, 2018 CLOSE As NASA finalizes it’s next unmanned mission to Mars, others ponder the idea of sending humans there. Veuer's Sam Berman has the full story. Buzz60 CONNECT TWEET LINKEDIN COMMENT EMAIL MORE The … [Read more...] about The race to colonize Mars is on, but this astronomy professor isn’t sure we should go
New detailed 3D map of Milky Way to ‘revolutionize astronomy’
Europe's Gaia satellite has produced a "stunning" 3-D map, published Wednesday, of more than a billion stars in our Milky Way galaxy, complete with their distance from Earth, their color and their motion through space. The eagerly-anticipated catalog was compiled from data gathered by Gaia on some 1.7 billion stars over 22 months in 2014-2016, from its unique vantage point in space about 1.5 million kilometers (930,000 miles) from Earth. "The dataset is very rich and we believe it will revolutionize astronomy and our understanding of the Milky Way," Gaia's scientific operations manager Uwe Lammers told AFP of the massive data release. "This catalog is the most precise, most complete catalog that has ever been produced. It allows studies which have not been possible before." Launched in 2013, Gaia gathers data on about 100,000 stars per minute -- some 500 million measurements per day. Its first map was published in September 2016, with about 1.15 billion stars. An update, released at … [Read more...] about New detailed 3D map of Milky Way to ‘revolutionize astronomy’
International Astronomy Day: 4 unexpected places to go stargazing in Europe
For thousands of years, people have looked to the stars to find greater meaning in the celestial objects above them. Ancient civilisations relied on the stars to guide their travel, using them to develop calendars and even named constellations after people from their cultures.According to the International Astronomical Union, wherever in the world you are, the 88 constellations are the same as those seen Plato, Cleopatra, William Shakespeare and Leonardo Da Vinci, when you’re looking at the night sky.So, as it’s Interntational Astronmy Day, look to the heavens and join the world’s stargazers. Here are Europe’s best spots to sit back and enjoy the some of the most impressive performances the natural world can produce.1. Northumberland, UKIn 2013, Northumberland National Park became an International Dark Sky Park. Along with Kielder Water and Forest Park, 572 square miles of land were given gold-tier status for the quality of starry nights on display, … [Read more...] about International Astronomy Day: 4 unexpected places to go stargazing in Europe