General characteristics Elliptical galaxies are characterized by several properties that make them distinct from other classes of galaxy. They are spherical or ovoid masses of stars, starved of star-making gases. The smallest known elliptical galaxy is about one-tenth the size of the Milky Way. The motion of stars in elliptical galaxies is predominantly radial, unlike … Read more What is a Elliptical Galaxy
Aldebaran is the brightest star in the constellation Taurus and is known as the “Eye of Taurus.” The name “Aldebaran” is Arabic, which means “The Follower” because it appears to follow the Hyades star cluster that forms the head of the bull. The K giant star is slightly larger than our sun, at 1.7 solar … Read more What Type of Star is Aldebaran
Overview Palma is a large asteroid orbiting between Mars and Jupiter in the main portion of the asteroid belt. NASA JPL has not classified Palma as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth. Palma orbits the sun every 2,040 days (5.59 years), coming as close as 2.34 AU and reaching … Read more What is the Asteroid Belt Between Mars and Jupiter Called?
Mercury is a planet of extremes. As the closest planet to our Sun, it experiences extremely high surface temperatures. But since it has virtually no atmosphere to speak of, and rotates very slowly on its axis, it gravitates between extremes of hot and cold. It also means that it’s Sun-facing side experiences prolonged periods of … Read more How Long Does it Take for Mercury to Orbit Around the Sun?
In 2006 the organization responsible for classifying celestial bodies, the International Astronomical Union, decided that a new class of objects was needed. The solar system’s erratic ninth planet, Pluto, was assigned to the new “dwarf planet” category along with four other bodies, all tinier than Earth’s moon. Some astronomers expect there may be as many … Read more How Long Does it Take Eris to Orbit the Sun
Arcturus, Alpha Boötis, is the brightest star in Boötes constellation and the fourth brightest star in the sky. With an apparent magnitude of -0.04, Arcturus is the brightest star in the northern celestial hemisphere. (The three brightest stars – Sirius in Canis Major, Canopus in Carina, and Alpha Centauri in Centaurus – lie south of the celestial equator.) Arcturus is only slightly brighter than Vega, the second brightest northern … Read more What Type of Star is Arcturus
Voyager 1 is a space probe that was launched by NASA on September 5, 1977. Part of the Voyager program to study the outer Solar System, Voyager 1 was launched 16 days after its twin, Voyager 2. Having operated for 42 years, 8 months and 30 days as of June 4, 2020, the spacecraft still communicates with the Deep Space Network to receive routine commands and to transmit … Read more How Does NASA Communicate With Voyager 1
Orion is a prominent constellation located on the celestial equator and visible throughout the world. It is one of the most conspicuous and recognizable constellations in the night sky. It is named after Orion, a hunter in Greek mythology. Its brightest stars are blue-white Rigel (Beta Orionis) and red Betelgeuse (Alpha Orionis). Characteristics The constellation of Orion, as it can be seen by the naked eye. … Read more Orion Constellation
Past Craters of the Moon formed during eight major eruptive periods between 15,000 and 2000 years ago. Lava erupted from the Great Rift, a series of deep cracks that start near the visitor center and stretch 52 miles (84 km.) to the southeast. During this time the Craters of the Moon lava field grew to … Read more How Craters on the Moon Were Formed
Cygnus is a northern constellation lying on the plane of the Milky Way, deriving its name from the Latinized Greek word for swan. Cygnus is one of the most recognizable constellations of the northern summer and autumn, and it features a prominent asterism known as the Northern Cross (in contrast to the Southern Cross). Cygnus was among the 48 constellations listed by the 2nd century astronomer Ptolemy, and it … Read more What Type of Star is Cygnus