Andrew Fraknoi: Exploring the Universe: Hot Blob Signals Presence of Long-Awaited Star Corpse

Andrew Fraknoi: Exploring the Universe: Hot Blob Signals Presence of Long-Awaited Star Corpse: Astronomers have just announced the first indication that a star seen to explode in 1987 has left behind a “neutron star” – a kind of weird ...

Hot Blob Signals Presence of Long-Awaited Star Corpse

Astronomers have just announced the first indication that a star seen to explode in 1987 has left behind a “neutron star” – a kind of weird star corpse that is more compressed than any other structure in the universe.  It’s a discovery that has long been hoped for by astronomers to confirm that our ideas about the deaths of massive stars are correct.

 

Smaller stars, like our Sun, die a relative peaceful death, where they simply collapse under their own weight until they become kind of solid.  But the bigger stars become unstable and blow up at the end of their lives, in an explosion astronomers call a supernova.  Most such explosions leave behind a core so compressed that, in it, atoms as we know them cease to exist.  Instead, electrons are squeezed into protons to make neutrons, essentially removing all empty space within each atom. The result is a tight ball made mostly of pure neutrons. 

 

To make something this dense on Earth, we would have to take all the people in the world and squeeze them into one raindrop!  An entire star collapses to be about the size of a small U.S. suburb.  How could we find such a “squozen” star corpse?  It turns out these neutron stars are very hot after they form and can heat any left-over gas and dust around them. 

 

The most recent nearby supernova explosion that astronomers know of was seen in February 1987 in a satellite galaxy that orbits our Milky Way.  It is given the very unimaginative name Supernova 1987A, being the first one seen in 1987.  Searching the central regions of the remnant of this supernova, astronomers, using the big array of radio telescopes called ALMA, have recently found a super-hot blob of material right where the neutron star was expected to be.  All the characteristics of the blob indicate that is a heated cloud of dust and gas hiding a hot neutron star within. 

 

It will be decades before the material around the neutron star is cleared out and we can get a glimpse of the star corpse itself.  But for now, the detailed properties of the blob tell us that it is most likely hiding just the kind of neutron star astronomers were hoping to see.

(In our radio image, you see a wide ring of material around the dead star, set to glow by the particles of the explosion that reach it. The inset shows the central region, with the hot blob glowing bright in radio waves.)

Andrew Fraknoi: Exploring the Universe: SETI Pioneer Frank Drake Celebrates His 90th Birth...

Andrew Fraknoi: Exploring the Universe: SETI Pioneer Frank Drake Celebrates His 90th Birth...: This week, Dr. Frank Drake, the pioneer in the scientific search for intelligent life elsewhere in the cosmos and one of my favorite a...

SETI Pioneer Frank Drake Celebrates His 90th Birthday

This week, Dr. Frank Drake, the pioneer in the scientific search for intelligent life elsewhere in the cosmos and one of my favorite astronomers, turns 90. He has been a really important mentor in my life, with good advice at several crucial career points, and I want to wish him all the best on this occasion.
He is perhaps best known for the ”Drake Equation,” a formula for making estimates of the number of technological civilizations in the Galaxy that are capable of communicating with us. To read an article in which he wrote up “The Origin of the Drake Equation” (for a column I was editing at the Astronomical Society of the Pacific), go to: http://bit.ly/drakearticle
For my 2012 interview with Drake, where he reflects on his work over the years, see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPQz-kdaxNo&t=536s The accompanying picture shows us on that occasion, at the SETICon convention organized by the SETI Institute, where he and I have been on the Board of Trustees.
With all the reasons to despair of intelligent life here on Earth, I hope we can soon realize Drake's dream of finding it among the stars. A number of projects are carrying on the search he began, and a success would be a great present for his next birthday.

Andrew Fraknoi: Exploring the Universe: Radio Interview (with Discussion of the New Black ...

Andrew Fraknoi: Exploring the Universe: Radio Interview (with Discussion of the New Black ...: Today, I was interviewed on the Pat Thurston Show on KGO Radio for an hour, with a good discussion of the recent discovery of the close...

Radio Interview (with Discussion of the New Black Hole Discovery)

Today, I was interviewed on the Pat Thurston Show on KGO Radio for an hour, with a good discussion of the recent discovery of the closest black hole to Earth ever found (it's still not THAT close, so don't worry!)

You can listen to the podcast of the show  https://omny.fm/shows/the-pat-thurston-show/may-8-2020-andrew-fraknoi  

Please stay safe and distanced (just as the stars are)!

Andrew Fraknoi: Exploring the Universe: My Humorous Science Fiction Story (about SETI) Rec...

Andrew Fraknoi: Exploring the Universe: My Humorous Science Fiction Story (about SETI) Rec...: A brief short story I wrote -- about the first message we receive from an extra-terrestrial civilization -- has recently been publishe...

My Humorous Science Fiction Story (about SETI) Recently Published

A brief short story I wrote -- about the first message we receive from an extra-terrestrial civilization -- has recently been published by the "SciPhi Journal" (an on-line magazine that specializes in philosophical science fiction.) You can read the story for free at:  

https://www.sciphijournal.org/index.php/2019/12/20/the-unwelcome-reply/

Perhaps the story can provide a touch of humor during these days of so much dark news. All the very best to everyone for a "cosmic" new year: may our planet becomes a better world for all of us. 

More about my ventures into the world of science fiction -- after having dealt with science fact for more than four decades -- can be found at: 

http://www.fraknoi.com/science-fiction-with-good-astronomy/

Fiction by Andrew Fraknoi.

Andrew Fraknoi: Exploring the Universe: My Second Published Science Fiction Story Now Avai...

Andrew Fraknoi: Exploring the Universe: My Second Published Science Fiction Story Now Avai...:   As some regular readers know, one my recent projects is writing short science fiction stories based on good astronomy. After a...

My Second Published Science Fiction Story Now Available Free On Line

 As some regular readers know, one my recent projects is writing short science fiction stories based on good astronomy. After a long learning period, two of my stories have now been published in science fiction anthologies. The second one, which is about exploding stars and music, just had its rights returned to me, and so I am happy to put it up free on the web for everyone's enjoyment at: 

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/310397794_Supernova_Rhythm 

After the short story, I have put a non-technical explanation of the science behind the fiction.

The accompanying photo is a NASA composite showing the remnant of Tycho's Supernova, a star seen to explode by the great astronomer Tycho Brahe in October 1604. In this image, blue and green colors shows what the remnant would look like if you had x-ray eyes, the yellow shows what it looks like in visible light, and the green shows the heat rays (infrared) coming from the object. Blended together, all the colors show where this remarkable "left-over"of a star that blew itself to bits is still glowing brightly more than 400 years later.

By the way, if you also want to read my first published science fiction story "A Cave in Arsia Mons" (about a surprising discovery on Mars), you can do so at: 

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/282914928_The_Cave_in_Arsia_Mons

Andrew Fraknoi: Exploring the Universe: My Talk to the Commonwealth Club on the Moon

Andrew Fraknoi: Exploring the Universe: My Talk to the Commonwealth Club on the Moon: The Commonwealth Club of California invited me to give an illustrated public talk about the Moon on the occasion of the 50th anniversar...

My Talk to the Commonwealth Club on the Moon

The Commonwealth Club of California invited me to give an illustrated public talk about the Moon on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the first human steps on our neighbor world. The video record is now available free on the Web, so if you are any of your friends (or students) are interested, you can find it at: https://www.commonwealthclub.org/…/astronomer-andrew-frakno…

I wanted to speak not so much about the astronauts and their journey (which so many other media and articles are covering in vast depth) but about the Moon itself, and what we now know about it, 50 years later. Hope you enjoy.

An audio-only version of the talk is also available as a podcast, at: https://www.commonwealthclub.org/events/archive/podcast/astronomer-andrew-fraknoi-50-years-our-first-step

The photo shows the Moon in front of a full Earth as seen from millions of miles away by the Deep Space Climate Discovery Spacecraft in 2015.

Andrew Fraknoi: Exploring the Universe: Total Eclipse of the Sun in South America July 2; ...

Andrew Fraknoi: Exploring the Universe: Total Eclipse of the Sun in South America July 2; ...: Tomorrow, July 2, there will be a total eclipse of the Sun visible in Chile and Argentina. A live webcast is planned at:  https://www.ex...

Total Eclipse of the Sun in South America July 2; Future U.S. Eclipses

Tomorrow, July 2, there will be a total eclipse of the Sun visible in Chile and Argentina. A live webcast is planned at: https://www.exploratorium.edu/eclipse

Another total eclipse will be visible from southern South America on Dec. 14, 2020.

Looking further ahead, an annual eclipse will be visible on a path that goes across the U.S. on Oct. 14, 2023.

And Apr. 8, 2024 another total eclipse will sweep across the U.S. from Texas to New England. For a clear map of this eclipse, see: https://www.greatamericaneclipse.com/april-8-2024

(Shameless plug: Dennis Schatz and I have written a children's book all about eclipses, called "When the Sun Goes Dark," for the non-profit National Science Teachers' Association Press. See: https://www.nsta.org/store/product_detail.aspx… )

A free app about eclipses, called "Totality" is available from astronomer Jeff Bennett, at: https://www.bigkidscience.com/eclipse/

[Our photo is by astronomer Rick Fienberg and shows a sequence of images before, during, and after a total eclipse.]

Andrew Fraknoi: Exploring the Universe: A Blog Features my New Catalog of Music Inspired b...

Andrew Fraknoi: Exploring the Universe: A Blog Features my New Catalog of Music Inspired b...: Over the years, I have collected many examples of music inspired by astronomical ideas and discoveries.  (I did this with help from stud...

A Blog Features my New Catalog of Music Inspired by Astronomy

Over the years, I have collected many examples of music inspired by astronomical ideas and discoveries.  (I did this with help from students and colleagues.) Now I blush to report that Sky & Telescope magazine has done a blog post on my latest catalog of astronomical music (with over 250 pieces listed.) 

You can read the post (and get a link to the catalog) at: https://www.skyandtelescope.com/…/…/music-astronomy-catalog/

I hope some of the pieces listed might bring you some musical pleasure.

Government Shutdown Expands: Moon Goes on Furlough Tonight

In the above table, you can see the timing of tonight total eclipse of the Moon for all the North American time zones. Click on the image to see it bigger.

Don't worry about the first and last rows of the table. Just focus on when the partial eclipse begins (when the Earth's shadow first starts to move across the Moon) and when the total eclipse begins (the Moon is full covered by shadow and turns red.)

Remember, if there are clouds, this eclipse last a long time, so come back out after a few minutes and see if you can glimpse the Moon. Often the Moon plays hide and seek with layers of clouds, and patience will pay off.

Full details of the eclipse and what to watch for are here:
http://bit.ly/mooneclipse2019

Thanks to Sky & Telescope magazine for the table.  The composite photo below is by amateur astronomer and NASA educator, Brian Day.  Note the Earth's round shadow in the outer images and the coppery red color of the eclipsed Moon (the Earth's atmosphere bends red colors of light more effectively than other colors on to the shadowy face of the Moon.)

Heads Up: Total Eclipse of the Moon Sunday Evening January 20

On Sunday evening, January 20, there will be a nice total lunar eclipse (where the Earth’s shadow darkens the full moon) visible in all of North America. Since this is the day before Martin Luther King Day in the U.S., many students will not have school the next day and can stay up to enjoy the celestial spectacle with their families.

Total eclipses of the Moon are perfectly safe to look at, don’t require special viewing equipment, and are visible all over one hemisphere of planet Earth. Your eyes are just fine to see the show. This is quite a contrast with the total eclipses of the Sun, where viewing can sometimes hurt your eyes, special equipment is a big help, and the best show is only visible in a narrow path. As Bernie would say, the lunar eclipse is for the 99%, not just the special 1%!

A more detailed information sheet I put together (with questions and answers, plus the timing in each time zone of the continental U.S.) can be found at:
http://bit.ly/mooneclipse2019 

Here is wishing you a cloudless evening, and a few hours thinking about the heavens and not the craziness in Washington.

[Our beautiful photo is by Conrad Jung of the Chabot Space and Science Center, 2007]

Andrew Fraknoi: Exploring the Universe: Encounter with the Furthest Object Humanity Has Ev...

Andrew Fraknoi: Exploring the Universe: Encounter with the Furthest Object Humanity Has Ev...: Tonight, the New Horizons spacecraft will fly by a chunk of ancient ice and dirt nicknamed "Ultima Thule." 4.1 billion miles ...

Encounter with the Furthest Object Humanity Has Ever Explored

Tonight, the New Horizons spacecraft will fly by a chunk of ancient ice and dirt nicknamed "Ultima Thule." 4.1 billion miles distant from us, this small world, estimated at perhaps 20 miles across, is the the furthest object ever visited and examined by human technology. We should have first pictures and other information about it by Wednesday, when NASA plans a press conference.

The accompanying image shows an artist's attempt to draw this minor member of the zone beyond Neptune we call the Kuiper Belt. Pluto is also a member of this belt, but with far better property and voting rights than little Ultima. Several observations from afar have suggested that Ultima is elongated (maybe even two chunks that might just barely touch) and reddish. Its orbit indicates that it may well be very ancient, one of the first building blocks from which our solar system (the planets and moons that accompany the Sun) was assembled more than 4 1/2 billion years ago.

Moving at 32,000 miles per hour, and with sunlight only 1/2 of one percent as bright as it is at Earth, New Horizon's cameras will be put to the test to take pictures. The power (from radioactive materials) available to power the spacecraft is now only 190 watts! We will get within 2200 miles of the Ultima, closer than we got to Pluto with the same spacecraft in 2015.

New Horizons can either point at its target or at Earth. So it will at first send very little information and spend most of its time as it whizzes by pointing at Ultima. When it has gone by, it will point back to Earth and take 20 months to send the encounter data back to Earth (it's transmission rate is slow, but steady, much like this Facebook page.)

By the way, the term Ultima Thule means "Beyond the Known World"; it was term used on medieval maps to mark parts of our planet that were not yet explored and thus were veiled in mystery.  (It was a nickname suggested in a public naming contest run by the SETI Institute.)

Keep your fingers crossed that things go better 4 billion miles from Washington DC than they have gone at home!