In 2006, astronomers around the world decided to make the definition of a planet clear. They came up with different criteria to determine whether solid astral bodies were planets or just another piece of larger than average space debris. After these criteria were brainstormed, it was determined that Pluto did not make … Read more
A lot of us wonder what happens when two galaxies collide in the universe? The truth largely depends on the size and composition of the constellations that are about to collide. Today, scientists explain that the best way to think about the meeting of the galaxies is to think of them as … Read more
A quasar is a galactic nucleus that is extremely luminous active. It consists of a black hole with mass ranging from millions to billions of times of the sun’s mass, surrounded by a gaseous accretion disk. The term ‘quasar’ was introduced when the very first quasars were identified in the 1950s. These … Read more
If you’ve watched The Martian, a science fiction film, you’d agree that whatever prodigious brain Matt Damon’s character had, the travel and life on Mars is a difficult one. Well, probably in all movies about space. In the end, the heroic astronaut, with shoes marked with dust from planets or moons, returns … Read more
One of the signs that a black hole exists in the universe is dictated by the x-rays that it emits outside of its reach, although from within its location, black holes usually don’t emit anything, especially not light. The detection of x-rays in space is how Cygnus-X1 (see the graphic below), the … Read more
Earth resides in the Milky Way. It is a vast galaxy whose part is viewable on Earth during the night as a belt of stars, extending across the clear sky. Thousands of them are visible with the naked eye, and even more, if you use a telescope. But, have you ever wondered … Read more
The longest manned spaceflight was made by Valeri Vladimirovich Polyakov. He spent a total of 437 consecutive days in space from August 29, 1988, to April 29, 1989. Valeri Vladimirovich Polyakov, a cosmonaut, was born on April 27, 1942, Tula City, USSR. Prior to being adopted in 1957, he first used the … Read more
Many theoretical physicists say that the Universe will come to an end between 2.8 billion to 22 billion years from now. Other experts even believe that it is already starting the process towards its ‘final exit.’ But, what actual demise awaits our Universe? Well, like most matters in space, astronomers can’t agree … Read more