rickeyainsworth

Black holes do funky things. A new simulator by Thomas Müller...

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 23:41:00 -0500

Black holes do funky things. A new simulator by Thomas Müller and Daniel Weiskopf allows users to discover how a nearby black hole’s immense gravity would bend the light of surrounding stars, like a giant crazy fisheye lens in the sky.

Alexander Girard, International Heart, 1967. Via Herman Miller.

Sun, 14 Feb 2010 08:00:00 -0500

Alexander Girard, International Heart, 1967. Via Herman Miller.

Spacecraft Cassini photographs one of Saturn’s moons (the...

Sat, 13 Feb 2010 00:32:00 -0500

Spacecraft Cassini photographs one of Saturn’s moons (the “lil’ squirter” Enceladus) passing in front of another (the alleged “moon with a ring” Rhea).

Via NASA/JPL/Space Science Institute, via CICLOPS, via Bad Astronomy.

The newest and best glimpse of Pluto we’ll likely see...

Fri, 12 Feb 2010 23:23:00 -0500

The newest and best glimpse of Pluto we’ll likely see until the New Horizons probe arrives in 2015.

“This is the most detailed view to date of the entire surface of the dwarf planet Pluto, as constructed from multiple NASA Hubble Space Telescope photographs taken from 2002 to 2003… [A] mysterious bright spot… is unusually rich in carbon monoxide frost. Pluto is so small and distant that the task of resolving the surface is as challenging as trying to see the markings on a soccer ball 40 miles away” (New Hubble Maps of Pluto Show Surface Changes, NASA, 2 Feb 2010).

Video credit: NASA, ESA, and M. Buie/Southwest Research Institute.

Chesley Bonestell’s illustration of the space bombing of...

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 19:40:34 -0500

Chesley Bonestell’s illustration of the space bombing of New York, for the October 3rd, 1948 Collier’s article Rocket Blitz From the Moon.

Now, with the pending cancellation of NASA’s Constellation program, it’s only a matter of time before the Soviets finish their Atomic Anti-Freedom Moon Base. The future is here! Duck and cover!

For such trifles I yearn, I yearn. The Onion.

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 13:07:00 -0500

For such trifles I yearn, I yearn. The Onion.

It’s a planetarium… It’s a bar…...

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 12:24:00 -0500

It’s a planetarium… It’s a bar… It’s a…?

I’ve posted about this place before, but I really wish I could find some higher-res images of Tokyo’s aptly-named Planetarium Bar.

For $20 more, I’ll show up at your house and deliver a...

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 11:25:00 -0500

For $20 more, I’ll show up at your house and deliver a guest lecture through your bathroom door. Homestar Aqua: Planetarium for Bath.

I’ve got a new attitude. Via: kiyo, via: Berkley...

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 03:21:00 -0500

I’ve got a new attitude. Via: kiyo, via: Berkley Illustration.

IPS Statement on the Ancient Age of the Earth and Universe

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 11:40:00 -0400

IPS Statement on the Ancient Age of the Earth and Universe:

Via the National Center for Science Education:

The International Planetarium Society recently issued a statement on the ancient age of the earth and universe, noting that “Many independent lines of scientific evidence show that the Earth and Universe are billions of years old. Current measurements yield an age of about 4.6 billion years for the Earth and about 14 billion years for the Universe.” The statement adds, “These measurements of age are accepted by nearly all astronomers, including both research astronomers and planetarium educators. These astronomers come from nations and cultures around the world and from a very wide spectrum of religious beliefs.”

The statement also explained the need for the society to take a stand: “Planetariums are based on science and education and as such reflect the ideals and principles of these disciplines. Planetarium educators seek to present both scientific results and an understanding of how these discoveries are made.” The International Planetarium Society describes itself as “the global association of planetarium professionals. Its nearly 700 members come from 35 countries around the world. They represent schools, colleges and universities, museums, and public facilities of all sizes including both fixed and portable planetariums.” Its primary goal is “to encourage the sharing of ideas among its members through conferences, publications, and networking.”

The Straight Dope on Star Registries

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 23:44:00 -0400

When discussing my job at the planetarium with strangers, one topic that always seems to pop up is “naming a star.” Typically, the person either recalls having a star bought for them in the past, or is looking for a unique gift idea for a loved one.

Star registries have been around for ages, and are almost universally regarded as scams by legitimate astronomers and planetarians. There are numerous name-a-star registries out there, and they’re only as “official” as the credentials they make up for themselves. More often than not, your $20-$200 simply buys you the privilege of having random internet entrepreneur #3,904,212 enter your star name and billing information into a spreadsheet.

You might get a vanity certificate or plaque as part of the deal, and if that’s worth the cost to you, then no one’s stopping your from taking the plunge. In the grand scheme of things, star registries aren’t the worst scam out there. They’re not promising you twenty CDs for a penny, rust-proofing your car, or funneling your credit card numbers to Nigerian fake-bankers (hopefully). Just keep in mind that (A) you’ll probably never be able to see “your” star, since these places typically assign people stars that are too faint to be seen with the naked eye, and that (B) the star designation itself is about as official as a “World’s Greatest Grandpa” t-shirt.

This article at The Straight Dope was originally written in 1988, and it’s still a very accurate and informational take on star registries.

If you’re looking for astronomy-themed gift ideas, here are some better options…

A subscription to an astronomy magazine, such as Sky & Telescope or Astronomy

Membership in a local astronomy club

A trip or donation to a local planetarium or observatory

A planisphere or set of star charts

And here’s one last idea… Using a site like this, you can find your current “birthday star.” Using your birthdate, it will locate a visible star that emitted the light we see tonight on or near the date of your birth. It’s a really cool idea, and it’s free. Plus, as you get older, you can keep using the calculator to find new birthday stars that are further and further out in space.

If you’ve ever bought or received a star from a star registry, don’t get too depressed. Perhaps it got you or someone else excited about astronomy for the first time, which is always a good thing. Just know that there are plenty of gift-giving alternatives out there that provide greater value, along with organizations more deserving of your hard earned dollars.

Happy stargazing!

Profile: Astronomy geek Rickey Ainsworth

Tue, 05 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Profile: Astronomy geek Rickey Ainsworth:

Thanks to Terri Finch Hamilton from the Grand Rapids Press for such a nice Sunday Profile.