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Urban Astronomer

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Category Archives: Astronomy 101

One of my main goals is to try and share a bit of knowledge and understanding about the incredible universe. I have been steadily writing and posting various articles to explain and educate the masses (that’s you, dear reader!) a bit more about some of the science behind the hobby. An urban astronomer might never see most of the things we talk about here, but it’s still good to know about them.

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Will Mars look as big as the Moon in August?

Urban Astronomer avatarPosted on 21 Aug, 2016 by Allen Versfeld21 Aug, 2016
Will Mars look as big as the Moon?

Dear Urban Astronomer   I recently received this presentation in an email.  Apparently, Mars will look as big as the Moon on 27 August, because it will be closer to us than ever before in recorded history and will look as big as the Moon in the sky.  Is this true? I was tempted to simply dismiss this as a joke.  After all, it’s not like anybody still falls for this, right?  Surely people remember seeing the same hoax this time … Continue reading →

Posted in Astronomy, Questions and Answers | Tagged Hoax, Mars, Moon, Q&A | 1 Reply

Where is the centre of the Universe?

Urban Astronomer avatarPosted on 17 Jul, 2016 by Allen Versfeld17 Jul, 2016
Where is the Centre of the Universe?

Would finding the centre of the Universe help us understand our place in the Cosmos?  In a previous article, I talked about the problem of trying to measure speeds in space.  Because there are no fixed positions in the universe, there can be no such thing as an absolute, “real” speed.  Even the ground beneath your feet is attached to a planet hurtling through space!.  The very idea of speed simply means “The distance traveled, divided by the time it took … Continue reading →

Posted in Astronomy, Astronomy 101, Questions and Answers | Tagged Big Bang, Q&A, Universe | 13 Replies

Are we really headed for a collision with Andromeda?

Urban Astronomer avatarPosted on 27 Mar, 2015 by Allen Versfeld8 Jul, 2016
Andromeda Galaxy

Dear Urban Astronomer I recently read that the andromeda system is our closest neighbour. Apparently, our galaxy is on a crash course with the andromeda system. They make it sound like its going to happen in the next few decades. I was just curious how much bigger is andromeda? How close is it to us? And how close are we to impact. Thanks in advance, Drew Dear Drew First thing first, we are indeed on a collision course with the Andromeda … Continue reading →

Posted in Astronomy, Questions and Answers | Tagged Andromeda, Galaxy, Outreach, Q&A | 2 Replies

Will the Blood Moon harm my unborn baby?

Urban Astronomer avatarPosted on 9 Oct, 2014 by Allen Versfeld3 Sep, 2019
Lunar eclipse, also known as a "Blood Moon"

Dear Urban Astronomer I am pregnant, and am worried that all these Blood Moons could harm my baby. I have asked around in my community, but everybody has their own scary story about what will happen to my baby if I go outdoors during the blood moon. Please let me know what precautions I must take. Yours, Hypothetical Reader   The blood moon will not hurt your baby Okay so nobody actually mailed this question to me.  But at the … Continue reading →

Posted in Astronomy, Astronomy 101, Bad Science, UFO's and Modern Myths, Questions and Answers | Tagged Lunar Eclipse, Mythology, Q&A, The Moon | 8 Replies

Do all planets spin in the same direction?

Urban Astronomer avatarPosted on 17 Apr, 2014 by Allen Versfeld13 Sep, 2016

Dear Urban Astronomer Do all planets spin the same way, or are there some planets where the sun rises in their equivalent of West? Does it depend on the particular solar system? What about the stars in a galaxy — do they all spin in the same direction? Do all galaxies spin the same way, or do they even spin at all? Regards Amanda Dominy (extracted from Facebook conversation) Dear Amanda First, the short answer: All rotations and revolutions in … Continue reading →

Posted in Astronomy, Astronomy 101, Questions and Answers | Leave a reply

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