↓
 
Urban Astronomer

Urban Astronomer

Making sense of the universe one page at a time

Urban Astronomer
  • News and Updates
  • Astronomy
    • Astronomer Profiles
      • Astronomers Through History
      • South African Astronomers
    • Astronomy 101
      • Questions and Answers
        • Short Questions
      • The Solar System
      • Meteor Showers
    • Bad Science, UFO’s and Modern Myths
  • Making Telescopes
  • Astrophotography
    • Equipment
      • Computer
      • The Optical Train
      • The Mount
      • The Camera
    • Capturing
      • Planning
      • Calibration
  • The Urban Astronomer Podcast
    • Podcast Archive
  • Supporter Appreciation

Category Archives: Questions and Answers

Most people have many questions about astronomy, and aren’t happy with the standard answers. Here are some articles trying to change this. If you have any questions you would like to see answered, ask me in an email to the address below, and I will answer your question in an article on this list

Post navigation

← Older posts

Star colours and what space is like

Urban Astronomer avatarPosted on 5 Dec, 2019 by Allen Versfeld5 Dec, 2019
Microphone. Image By Jpcuevas (Own work) [CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

The Urban Astronomer Podcast’s season 2 finale examines the colours of stars, and ponders what it’s actually like out in space

https://media.blubrry.com/urbanastronomer/p/s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/constellationonline.net/media/Podcast/UrbanAstronomer/UA_Episode_54_S02E12.mp3

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 32:42 — 29.9MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | Email | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS | More

Continue reading →
Posted in Questions and Answers, The Urban Astronomer Podcast | Tagged Physics, podcast, Q&A, Stars | Leave a reply

Why do planets orbit in the same plane?

Urban Astronomer avatarPosted on 10 Sep, 2019 by Allen Versfeld5 Dec, 2019
Outer solar system, by Riffsyphon1024 at en.wikipedia [Public domain]

In episode 48 of the Urban Astronomer Podcast, we’re doing another Science Explainy bit! These segments are where you get to hear my droning voice explain some fundamentals and answer listener questions. Today we get asked why it always is that planets orbit in the same plane, and why the Moon can be seen during daylight. If you like what you hear, don’t forget to tell a friend about the show, and make a small donation on our Patreon account. … Continue reading →

https://media.blubrry.com/urbanastronomer/p/s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/constellationonline.net/media/Podcast/UrbanAstronomer/UA_Episode_48_S02E06.mp3

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 22:22 — 20.5MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | Email | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS | More

Posted in Questions and Answers, The Solar System, The Urban Astronomer Podcast | Tagged Moon, podcast, Q&A, science explainy bit, Solar System | Leave a reply

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 | 12 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

Post navigation

← Older posts
We protect our inboxes with a free spam filter provided by MX Guarddog

Subscribe to Podcast

Apple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsSpotifyAndroidDeezerby EmailRSSMore Subscribe Options
Support Urban Astronomer on Patreon!
Get the Flick chat app
Support Urban Astronomer by trying the Brave browser
Proudly hosted by Constellation Online Media -- © Allen Versfeld
↑
Optimization WordPress Plugins & Solutions by W3 EDGE