“The nitrogen in our DNA, the calcium in our teeth, the iron in our blood, the carbon in our apple pies were made in the interiors of collapsing stars. We are made of starstuff.”
― Carl Sagan, Cosmos
Understanding how light works for and against us is crucial when observing the universe. Of course we need light to see, but did you know we use it in other ways? Because light can vary in wavelength and energy we use its assorted state to gather information like temperature, rotation speed, emission and absorption lines (shift in distance), and more. This is done using a method called spectroscopy.
Before getting excited about the numerous wonders of the visible universe, please take the age of light into consideration. When you look up at the night sky to see the stars, every bit of light you observe is not a current representation of how the source looks. What you are looking at is light from the past. A light-year is a unit of distance (not time) used to determine how far light travels in one year which happens to be about 6 trillion miles. If a star is 190,000 light-years away, and you observe it from Earth, you are actually seeing the light it emitted 190,000 years ago. So, it is safe to say that just because we see an object now does not mean it still exists in the present state. Until scientist discover how to travel at the speed of light, everything outside of our galaxy is impossible to reach. According to universetoday.com, the closest star to our sun is Proxima Centauri at 4.24 light-years away.
Keep this rule in mind as we explore other topics throughout the blog.
This video outlines the concept, composition, and nature of light. Phil explains how we see and don't see light.
Hello readers, My name is Dustin and this is my first time blogging. I am a third year undergraduate studying Mass Media Public Relations at Washburn University.
The topic of this blog will be outer space and the leading theories or facts on some of the most puzzling phenomena and observations across the visible universe. While I have you here I hope to at least give you one fun fact that you can share with others across the galaxy (or maybe just the dinner table). For millennia mankind has looked to the twilight sky in awe of the wonders we have discovered and what we can only hypothesize. A few disputed topics such as Multiverse Theory, Black Holes, and possible habitable Exoplanets and a many others will be included. If the mysteries of the universe intrigue you, then gravitate towards my expository postings and PLEASE feel free to leave comments!
DISCLAIMER: I am not an expert in astronomy and at no point should you assume that these ideas are entirely my own. I have taken multiple courses of study in the field. My posts are subject to my interpretation of modern theories and should not be considered stone cold facts. I am simply a passionate enthusiast. Astronomy has interested me to no end for as long as I can remember and I hope you enjoy learning about the world beyond our world as much as I do!
