Science dealing with the study of space and celestial bodies. Can pertain to the composition, origin, motion, behavior or physical aspects of bodies in space as well as the practical applications of such information (ie: navigation).
Questions tagged [astronomy]
82 questions
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Did we receive a signal from outer space in 1977?
This was recently posted on 9gag:
In 1977, we received a signal from outer space, which lasted 72 seconds. We still do not know how or whence it came.
Did we receive such a signal in 1977?
Remi.b
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Did Betelgeuse explode on August 7, 2022?
This widely watched live stream claims to show the Betelgeuse supernova in progress. But I can't find any information elsewhere
Abdullah is not an Amalekite
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Is this animation showing the moon's librations a real capture or generated?
In one of the answers to an entertaining question on Physics.SE about "simple check for the global shape of the earth", there is a link to this awesome demonstration of the libration of the moon:
You can see the date stamp at the top that goes…
Chowzen
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12
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Did the Mayans believe the Earth was flat?
Many places (e.g., here) state that the Mayans thought the Earth was flat.
At the same time, Mayan astronomical knowledge is impressive. They made accurate computations of the length of a solar year and of planets like Venus. Is it really possible,…
Polk
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11
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Would we see a doomsday asteroid beforehand?
Forbes : We Probably Wouldn't Even See A Doomsday Asteroid Until It Was Too Late
[...] So how much warning will we really have if an asteroid is about to hit Earth? The answer is pretty grim.
With so many of even the larger Near Earth Objects…
Christian
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Was the 2017 solar eclipse the most-observed in history?
Several news sources, such as The Patriot-News in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, have claimed that the total solar eclipse on August 21, 2017 is the "most-observed in history".
It was the most-observed and most-photographed eclipse in history, with many…
Thunderforge
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Is the chance of dying from a car accident less than dying from an astronomical event?
On page 62 of David Deutsch's excellent The Beginning of Infinity he writes:
a typical child born in the United States today is more likely to die
as a result of an astronomical event than a car accident
According to the National Safety Council…
orome
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7
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Was Kepler's sci-fi book "Somnium" used as evidence in his mother's witchcraft trial?
Widely considered the first sci-fi book, Somnium was written by astronomer Johannes Kepler around 1608 and was only published in 1634, after his death.
I first heard the claim that the book was used in his mother's witchcraft trial in Astronomy…
Laurel
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Is there any evidence of Planet X / Nibiru?
It's the first time I read an article on inquistr, so I'm not sure how reliable it is, but I just saw this article today titled: Has science just admitted Planet X / Nibiru exists?
Astronomers may have inadvertently revived the Planet X/Nibiru…
Vlad
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4
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Did Jupiter enter into the body of the constellation Virgo?
There is a claim spreading around and I'd like to know if this is correct from the astronomical side.
On November 20, 2016, an astronomical event begins that will last nine
and a half months...
and then it follows:
On November 20, 2016,…
Grasper
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4
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Was the 30th of June the closest Venus and Jupiter have appeared since 2 B.C?
Browsing Facebook's trending section on the conjunction between Venus and Jupiter, I found several individuals claiming that this is the first time since 2 B.C that the two have gotten as close as they have.
e.g
According to this page, a…
BorderlineBaguette
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4
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Is there a way to tell if the sun is rising or setting by looking at a picture and not knowing which coast it was taken at?
Looking through some pictures after watching "The Zero Theorem" it crossed my mind.
SurvMach
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4
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Can they calculate how close 2012 DA14 comes to Earth for the remainder of this century
... but couldn't tell until recently that Apophis won't hit Earth around 2030?
What's the catch in these calculations? Are the numbers just so incredibly big that the 28,000 km distance in which 2012 DA14 passed Earth on Friday last week are already…
0xC0000022L
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4
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Is there no link between the meteor that affected Russia and the asteroid 2012 DA14?
A large meteor or meteors entered the atmosphere near Russia's Chelyabinsk region hours before closest approach of asteroid 2012 DA14. Initial claims are that the two are unrelated; the above link says "The European Space Agency posted a message on…
Larry OBrien
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Do pulses of lunar waves traverse across the moon?
On the Fortean Times forum a user has posted links to a number of conspiracy theorist videos that show strange waves in video images of the Moon.
Latest conspiracy craze seems to be about "lunar waves" filmed on the
moon (from Earth...) They…
user3179196
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