How many stars are in our solar system? If you answered hundreds of billions, you are not alone. That is the most common answer I hear. The correct answer is…one. The Sun is the only star in the solar system. This illustrates a widespread confusion over the meaning of three astronomical terms, solar system, galaxy [...]
Anthony Garcia wrote in to ask, “Why are planets perfect spheres, or at least appear to be perfect?”
Nature loves spheres. It can’t get enough of them.
Have you heard? Mars is about to be Spectacular! It will appear as large as the Full Moon! (Rubbish!!!)
So goes our yearly battle with the Great Mars Hoax that started in 2003. Each year, several emails make their rounds, promising that Mars will amaze and delight, appearing as large as the Full Moon.
The Perseid meteor shower is arguably the most well-known meteor shower of the year. In fact, John Denver’s hit “Rocky Mountain High” includes a reference to his fascination with watching the Perseid meteors from the mountains of Colorado. The song includes the line: “I’ve seen it raining fire from the sky.” I remember going camping in the [...]
This week’s Cosmic Quiz winner is Mary Newland, who asked, “Every year I like to watch the Perseids meteor shower. If the meteors are continually being shed, why does the comet not cease to exist?”
That is a great question!
As a matter of fact, comets do cease to exist over time.
Let’s start with some background information [...]
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