The question as to whether we are alone in the universe depends on whether we can find planets that are similar to Earth. One such planet was discovered recently as the fifth planet around the star Fomalhaut. The planet designated as Fomalhaut-b finds itself in a solar system similar to our own. It lies alone the green zone that has been used as a region where such planets might be able to sustain life.
This system was found while searching a dust line in this region of the galaxy. (http://hubblesite.org/newscenter/archive/releases/2008/2008/39/full/)
Apparently, the best place to look for exoplanets is to follow the dust rings that line many of the galaxies. Fomalhaut-b is one such planet discovered along a dust line similar to the Kuiper Belt around our solar system. For exoplanet hunters, the best way to find something is to "follow the dust", according to Mark Clampton of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. Star Fomalhaut seems to distort some to the dust along the dust line. The question I would ask, is if some of the material used to form these systems comes from this dust?
In the case of Fomalhaut, the dust was being gravitationally modified by a planet lying between the dust ring and the star, according to Hubble astronomer Paul Kalas of the University of California at Berkley (2005). Therefore, the hunt for exoplanets along dust rings may prove fruitful along with the use of new Dobbler gathering instrumentation. With slight back and forth changes in a star's wavelength due to the Dobbler shifts that might signify an orbit of a planet, and the location of this star near a dust line, the chances for the discovery of new planets are greatly increased.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Friday, February 11, 2011
10,000,000 People have 4.36E-06 Chance of Dying
In as sensationalist story, the asteroid Apophis has been making headlines even as no information has come out regarding its trajectory or its potential path.
News reports state that Russian astronomer, Professor Leonid Sokolov of St. Petersburg State University, predicted that Apophis would pass through the gravitational keyhole on its pass in 2029. He did state the possibility of this occurring but later stated the odds are small. If the asteroid passes through the gravitational keyhole it would deflect the asteroid just enough cause an impact in 2036, when Apophis returns.
http://www.physorg.com/news/2011-02-asteroid-deflection.html
NASA Current Projection of Apophis in 2029
http://www.universetoday.com/42246/apophis-odds-of-earth-impact-downgraded/
Apophis
DJ Tholen http://www.ifa.hawaii.edu/faculty/tholen/
R. A. Tucker, D. J. Tholen and F. Bernardi at Kitt Peak discovered Apophis June 24, 2004. The physical parameters of Apophis include a diameter of 0.270 km, mass of 2.7e+10 kg, and an impact velocity of 12.59 km/s (http://neo.jpl.nasa.gov/risk/a99942.html). The sheer mass and velocity of Apophis makes it an object of note because it has the capacity to create catastrophic damage and up to 10,000,000 deaths depending on the impact location. http://www.myfoxphilly.com/dpps/news/offbeat/russian-scientists-claim-asteroid-may-hit-earth-in-2036-dpgonc-20110210-fc_11818569
The controversy and difference in Russian and American projections regard the gravitational keyhole. The gravitational keyhole is a section of space in which an object moving through will have its course altered resulting in a collision on the next pass. The keyhole is generally very small and for Apophis is approximately half a mile, 18,893 miles from the Earth. The gravitational keyhole is within the range of uncertainty for Apophis during its 2029 flyby. (http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/space/deep/4201569?page=2)
Currently NASA projects the likelihood of an impact in 2036 as 4.3E-06 while Russian scientists project the odds to be much higher. Currently the Russian government is looking into plans to deflect the asteroid. You can see a projection of Apophis orbit for any day including April 13, 2036 (Easter Sunday) the possible collision time. http://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/sbdb.cgi?sstr=99942%20Apophis;orb=1;cov=0;log=0;cad=0#orb
Finding NEO (near Earth objects) relies on citizen scientist but in a very different way then the Zooniverse Project. The Zooniverse projects rely on the public for interpretation not collection of data while discovering asteroids is still requires active collection of data from amateur astronomers. The danger in having large amounts of data accessible to the general public with regards to NEO’s is the sensationalist journalism that results. Apophis makes headlines because there is a 4.3E-06 chance that it may strike the Earth and kill ten million people whereas about 42,000 people die per year in the US alone in car crashes. The story should instead read “There is a statistically insignificant chance that an Asteroid will hit Earth and kill 10,000,000 people meanwhile 1,000,000 people are sure to die in car crashes in the same time frame.
Hopefully if we ever do discover an asteroid on a collision course with Earth we won't have to rely on these guys to save us all.
News reports state that Russian astronomer, Professor Leonid Sokolov of St. Petersburg State University, predicted that Apophis would pass through the gravitational keyhole on its pass in 2029. He did state the possibility of this occurring but later stated the odds are small. If the asteroid passes through the gravitational keyhole it would deflect the asteroid just enough cause an impact in 2036, when Apophis returns.
http://www.physorg.com/news/2011-02-asteroid-deflection.html
NASA Current Projection of Apophis in 2029
http://www.universetoday.com/42246/apophis-odds-of-earth-impact-downgraded/
Apophis
DJ Tholen http://www.ifa.hawaii.edu/faculty/tholen/
R. A. Tucker, D. J. Tholen and F. Bernardi at Kitt Peak discovered Apophis June 24, 2004. The physical parameters of Apophis include a diameter of 0.270 km, mass of 2.7e+10 kg, and an impact velocity of 12.59 km/s (http://neo.jpl.nasa.gov/risk/a99942.html). The sheer mass and velocity of Apophis makes it an object of note because it has the capacity to create catastrophic damage and up to 10,000,000 deaths depending on the impact location. http://www.myfoxphilly.com/dpps/news/offbeat/russian-scientists-claim-asteroid-may-hit-earth-in-2036-dpgonc-20110210-fc_11818569
The controversy and difference in Russian and American projections regard the gravitational keyhole. The gravitational keyhole is a section of space in which an object moving through will have its course altered resulting in a collision on the next pass. The keyhole is generally very small and for Apophis is approximately half a mile, 18,893 miles from the Earth. The gravitational keyhole is within the range of uncertainty for Apophis during its 2029 flyby. (http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/space/deep/4201569?page=2)
Currently NASA projects the likelihood of an impact in 2036 as 4.3E-06 while Russian scientists project the odds to be much higher. Currently the Russian government is looking into plans to deflect the asteroid. You can see a projection of Apophis orbit for any day including April 13, 2036 (Easter Sunday) the possible collision time. http://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/sbdb.cgi?sstr=99942%20Apophis;orb=1;cov=0;log=0;cad=0#orb
Finding NEO (near Earth objects) relies on citizen scientist but in a very different way then the Zooniverse Project. The Zooniverse projects rely on the public for interpretation not collection of data while discovering asteroids is still requires active collection of data from amateur astronomers. The danger in having large amounts of data accessible to the general public with regards to NEO’s is the sensationalist journalism that results. Apophis makes headlines because there is a 4.3E-06 chance that it may strike the Earth and kill ten million people whereas about 42,000 people die per year in the US alone in car crashes. The story should instead read “There is a statistically insignificant chance that an Asteroid will hit Earth and kill 10,000,000 people meanwhile 1,000,000 people are sure to die in car crashes in the same time frame.
Hopefully if we ever do discover an asteroid on a collision course with Earth we won't have to rely on these guys to save us all.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Astronomy Resources
Here is a (necessarily incomplete) list of useful astronomy news and educational websites, and amateur and professional blogs. Feel free to add any more sites and blogs you come across in the comments to this post.
BLOGS
Astronomy Blog -- Astronomy news blog
Tom's Astronomy Blog -- Astronomy news blog
A Postdoc Perspective -- Account of an astronomy researcher in galaxy formation
Astroblog -- Astronomy news blog
Sky this week -- Amateur astronomy
cmarchesin -- Amateur astronomy
Astropixie -- Life as an astronomer
Megan's blog -- Life as an astronomer
Professor Astronomy -- General astronomy news, reports from meeting and educational posts
Star Stryder -- Astronomy news and fun
Bad Astronomy -- Blog confronting astronomy misconceptions
Slacker Astronomy -- Astronomy news
Spacewriter's Blog -- Blog from a science writer and editor
The e-Astronomer -- News and life as an astronomy professor
One Small Step -- News and thoughts about aspects of astronomy and science
Universe Today -- Astronomy news
A Postdoc Perspective -- Account of an astronomy researcher in galaxy formation
Astroblog -- Astronomy news blog
Sky this week -- Amateur astronomy
cmarchesin -- Amateur astronomy
Astropixie -- Life as an astronomer
Megan's blog -- Life as an astronomer
Professor Astronomy -- General astronomy news, reports from meeting and educational posts
Star Stryder -- Astronomy news and fun
Bad Astronomy -- Blog confronting astronomy misconceptions
Slacker Astronomy -- Astronomy news
Spacewriter's Blog -- Blog from a science writer and editor
The e-Astronomer -- News and life as an astronomy professor
One Small Step -- News and thoughts about aspects of astronomy and science
Universe Today -- Astronomy news
WEBSITES (News/Educational resources)
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Astronomy experience this week
This is a copy of the e-mail I received last week from Fred Olness, Physics Dept Chair at SMU. I am sending out the portion containing the infromation regarding the program this Saturday.
I think I am going.....after the struggle with the atomic physics problem......
Trina
**********
I am organizing a teaching exchange that will happen in the Dallas area (Plano) on February 12th. I have attached a flyer that has more information. There will be a morning workshop on interactive engagement techniques (similar to the Astro 101 workshops at the AAS meetings run by Ed Prather and Gina Brissenden). In the afternoon there will be a panel discussion on astro 101 teaching tricks, and time for participants to give short talks. There is no registration fee for the event.
If you know of anyone that might be interested in attending, please pass the information on. The event is being held at Collin College in Plano. I would love to see a nice mixture of university, small college, community college, high school teachers, post-docs, and graduate students. Or any combination!
Best wishes for a great semester!
Cheers!
Lee
************************
Dr. W. Lee Powell Jr.
Assistant Professor of Physics
Texas Lutheran University
Office: 830-372-6039
E-mail: LPowell@TLU.edu
I think I am going.....after the struggle with the atomic physics problem......
Trina
**********
I am organizing a teaching exchange that will happen in the Dallas area (Plano) on February 12th. I have attached a flyer that has more information. There will be a morning workshop on interactive engagement techniques (similar to the Astro 101 workshops at the AAS meetings run by Ed Prather and Gina Brissenden). In the afternoon there will be a panel discussion on astro 101 teaching tricks, and time for participants to give short talks. There is no registration fee for the event.
If you know of anyone that might be interested in attending, please pass the information on. The event is being held at Collin College in Plano. I would love to see a nice mixture of university, small college, community college, high school teachers, post-docs, and graduate students. Or any combination!
Best wishes for a great semester!
Cheers!
Lee
************************
Dr. W. Lee Powell Jr.
Assistant Professor of Physics
Texas Lutheran University
Office: 830-372-6039
E-mail: LPowell@TLU.edu
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Last week's astronomy discoveries...
Two major discoveries were announced this week, both very relevant to zooniverse projects.
Discovery 1: Firstly, a new record has been set for the most distant object every observed in the universe: a galaxy 13.2 billion light years away (about 4.1 billion parsecs). The age of the universe is around 13.7 billion light years away, so this is providing a glimpse back into the universe's early childhood (to make an analogy, if the universe was a 40 year old human, we're seeing that human at an age of about 1.5 years). The image was a Hubble deep-field exposure of exactly the type you see on Galaxy Zoo.
You can read more here:
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/hubble/science/farthest-galaxy.html
Discovery 2: The Kepler team (Kepler is the satellite whose data is used in the Planet-Hunters project on Zooniverse) announced the detection of over 1,200 candidates for planets around other stars. 54 lie in the so-called habitable zone around their star (also known as Goldilock's zone - not too hot, not too cold), and 68 of them are roughly Earth-sized. Here is a useful plot of the mass of the planet versus its orbital period (its year):
See: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/kepler/news/kepler_data_release.html
Among these candidates are several multiple-planet systems, most notably the system named Kepler-11 which consists of 6 candidate planets: the most of any system outside our own solar system (see the Scientific American article posted below by Chandler and http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/kepler/news/new_planetary_system.html).
This is a remarkable announcement: the number of new candidates announced is more than all the previously discovered extra-solar planets put together by a long way. One final comment: note the use of the word 'candidates': these will have to be confirmed as planets by follow-up observations, and until then there is always a possibilty that some will turn out to be false identifications (in fact, among such a large haul, it is probable that a few will be); this is a point not often made when such discoveries are reported in the mainstream media. Having said that, the vast majority should turn out to be real planet detections, and the Kepler-11 system I think is fairly certain: they would make doubly sure before making such a high-profile announcement to the world's media!
Discovery 1: Firstly, a new record has been set for the most distant object every observed in the universe: a galaxy 13.2 billion light years away (about 4.1 billion parsecs). The age of the universe is around 13.7 billion light years away, so this is providing a glimpse back into the universe's early childhood (to make an analogy, if the universe was a 40 year old human, we're seeing that human at an age of about 1.5 years). The image was a Hubble deep-field exposure of exactly the type you see on Galaxy Zoo.
You can read more here:
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/hubble/science/farthest-galaxy.html
Discovery 2: The Kepler team (Kepler is the satellite whose data is used in the Planet-Hunters project on Zooniverse) announced the detection of over 1,200 candidates for planets around other stars. 54 lie in the so-called habitable zone around their star (also known as Goldilock's zone - not too hot, not too cold), and 68 of them are roughly Earth-sized. Here is a useful plot of the mass of the planet versus its orbital period (its year):
See: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/kepler/news/kepler_data_release.html
Among these candidates are several multiple-planet systems, most notably the system named Kepler-11 which consists of 6 candidate planets: the most of any system outside our own solar system (see the Scientific American article posted below by Chandler and http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/kepler/news/new_planetary_system.html).
This is a remarkable announcement: the number of new candidates announced is more than all the previously discovered extra-solar planets put together by a long way. One final comment: note the use of the word 'candidates': these will have to be confirmed as planets by follow-up observations, and until then there is always a possibilty that some will turn out to be false identifications (in fact, among such a large haul, it is probable that a few will be); this is a point not often made when such discoveries are reported in the mainstream media. Having said that, the vast majority should turn out to be real planet detections, and the Kepler-11 system I think is fairly certain: they would make doubly sure before making such a high-profile announcement to the world's media!
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Article
This is an article I found regarding exoplanets which is one of the the things that Galaxy Zoo has a project for.
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=kepler-11-thousands-extrasolar-planets
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=kepler-11-thousands-extrasolar-planets
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