Earths Astronomy

Every minute, several huge “snowballs” break up as they approach the Earth and deposit a large cloud of water vapor in Earth’s upper atmosphere. That’s the startling finding that world-renowned physicist Louis A. Frank came to after studying the images from the Dynamics Explorer 1 spacecraft. His conclusion, based on data acquired at the limits of detection, created a storm of controversy among scientists. This is the story that was told in The Big Splash, published in 1990. But, the story does not end there.

Mars, the red planet, is ingrained in our culture, from David Bowie's extra-terrestrial spiders to Captain Scarlet to War of the Worlds. It has inspired hundreds of authors, scientists and science-fiction writers - but why? What is it about this particular planet that makes it so intriguing? Ancient mythologies defined Mars as a violent harbinger of war, star-gazers puzzled over its peculiar motion, and astrologers defined human personalities by its position and bizarre dance through the sky.

Nuestra existencia está amenazada: las glaciaciones, los impactos de asteroides, la capacidad finita de la Tierra e incluso la lejana pero inevitable muerte del Sol son riesgos de tal magnitud que, si no abandonamos la Tierra, deberemos asumir la idea de nuestra extinción. Por eso, para Michio Kaku nuestro destino yace en las estrellas, no por la curiosidad o la pasión aventurera que los humanos llevamos dentro, sino por una simple cuestión de supervivencia.

This “accessible and always entertaining” (Booklist) combination of history, pop science, and in-depth reporting offers a fascinating account of the asteroids that hit Earth long ago and those streaming toward us now, as well as how prepared we are against asteroid-caused catastrophe.

An extraterrestrial colony, in some form, may already exist, just awaiting discovery. But the greatest impediment to such an important scientific discovery may not be technological, but political. No scientific endeavor can be launched without a budget, and matters of money are within the arena of politicians. Dr. Ben Bova explores some of the key players and the arguments waged in a debate of both scientific and cultural priorities.

We have long fantasized about finding life on planets other than our own. Yet even as we become aware of the vast expanses beyond our solar system, it remains clear that Earth is exceptional. The question is: Why? In Lucky Planet, astrobiologist David Waltham argues that Earth’s climate stability is what makes it uniquely able to support life, and it is nothing short of luck that made such conditions possible. The four-billion-year stretch of good weather that our planet has experienced is statistically so unlikely that chances are slim that we will ever encounter intelligent extraterrestrial others.

Em outubro de 2017, cientistas de um dos maiores observatórios espaciais do mundo — localizado no topo de um vulcão dormente no Havaí — detectaram um objeto transitando por nosso sistema solar. A primeira hipótese foi a de que se tratava de um mero asteroide, como tantos outros que cruzaram e seguem cruzando nossa galáxia. Mas os dados coletados pelo telescópio Pan-STARRS1 revelaram detalhes curiosos, e bem anômalos, no comportamento desse visitante.

This is Issue 98 of Cosmos, a quarterly science magazine. Produced by The Royal Institution of Australia, Cosmos aims to inspire curiosity in "The Science of Everything" and make the world of science accessible to everyone.

The secrets of science meet the drama of the high seas. Amir D. Aczel - the distinguished science writer behind God's Equation and Mystery of the Aleph - turns detective as he uncovers the fascinating story of the invention of the compass.

Wissensvermittlung mit Witz und Charme von Erfolgsautor Bill Bryson. Wie war das eigentlich mit dem Urknall? Warum starben die Dinosaurier aus? Was wiegt die Erde? Und wie ist das überhaupt möglich - die Erde zu wiegen? Erfolgsautor Bill Bryson nimmt mit auf eine atemberaubende Reise durch Zeit und Raum, berichtet über die Wunder des Universums, über die Erde und die Entstehungsgeschichte des Menschen. Dieser faszinierende Streifzug durch die Naturwissenschaften ist wie gemacht für alle, die endlich mehr über die Welt wissen wollen.

The 2024 solar eclipse promises to be a momentous event, uniting communities and sparking scientific curiosity across North America. As the moon's shadow sweeps across the continent, observers will gather to witness nature's grand spectacle, pondering the mysteries of the cosmos and their place within it. From scientific research to cultural celebrations, the 2024 solar eclipse serves as a reminder of the profound connections between Earth and the cosmos, inspiring wonder and awe in all who behold it.

What do you know about the Moon? Give curious kids a first look into space.

What do you know about Mars? Give curious kids a first look into space.

This is volume two of our series, and our astronaut is once again aboard a spaceship heading for deep space to avoid the self-destruction of Earth. Join us as nearly 200 of Earth's inhabitants flee for safety in a spaceship called The Ark.

Los lectores principiantes aprenderán sobre los patrones básicos del Sol y la Tierra y lo que causa día y noche.

Young listeners will learn about the basic patterns of the sun and earth and what causes day and night.