Astronomy

Jocelyn Bell observed pulses of radio data. Their regularity led her to observe it more closely and discover the neutron star. What made it detectable were the flashes of radio pulses it emitted. […]

A neutron star is formed at t he very center of a supernova. Owing to the Pauli exclusion principle of quantum physics, neutrons start exerting an outward pressure, stopping the gravitational collapse of the neutron star’s interior. […]

Within the electromagnetic spectrum, shorter wavelengths of UV, X-rays, and gamma rays are harder to study. This is because shorter wavelengths find it hard to penetrate our atmosphere. Thus, building a telescope to study them from afar and storing them is the challenge only ultraviolet astronomy can take on. […]

Riccardo Giacconi’s invention, a fully imaging X-ray telescope allowed astronomers to map and observe previously undetected X-ray sources across the sky. It was based on placing mirrors that would allow the X-rays to graze the surface and be reflected. […]

George Carruthers’s ultraviolet camera aboard the Apollo 16 captured the world’s first ultraviolet astronomy images. It not only enabled us to study our cosmos but also the Earth’s atmosphere and magnetic field. […]

Astronomers classify supernovae according to the presence of hydrogen in their spectra. Therefore, these are classified into Type l and Type II categories. […]

Supernovae are extremely powerful, releasing enormous amounts of energy when they explode. That’s why the visible light emitted by them can be seen even without a telescope. […]

In 1987, a supernova was discovered by the Chilean telescope operator Oscar Duhalde. He simply noticed the bright supernova in the sky, with no telescope, during his break time. […]

Frank Kameny was barred from pursuing astronomy because of his sexual orientation. He dedicated his life to breaking down the barriers that had stood in his way, so others wouldn’t have to suffer the way he did. […]