The Spacewriter introduces the “discovery” of a large planet deep in the Kuiper Belt, by Konstatin Batygin and Pluto-Killer Mike Brown.  She walks us through the process that began with giving those two astronomers the idea that there might be something to look for, and ended with their announcement of it’s likely mass and orbital characteristics.  It’s important to remember that, so far, this is just a theoretical prediction, although astronomy has a decent track record of discovering objects through exactly this … Continue reading →

  Here we are again, back at Urban Astronomer HQ, banging on the doors for them to let us in and enjoy the Carnival of Space! Every week a different space blogger dons the mantel of Carnival Ringmaster and scrapes together a collection of the best space science and astronomy writing from around the Internet. And it’s all done just for you, dear sweet reader. So come in, get comfy, and listen up! First in line, regular contributors (and one-time … Continue reading →