During the next couple of weeks you will need to set your alarm clock extra early to see 5 planets lined up in the sky before dawn.
Why Do Spiral Galaxies Spiral?
Galaxies are collections of billions of stars. While galaxies exist in various shapes, one of the most recognizable and visually impressive is the spiral galaxy - such as our own galaxy, the Milky Way.
Join the Friends of Arlington's David M. Brown Planetarium for an online presentation by Dr. Sethanne Howard. She will talk about the structure of spiral galaxies, and how tidal triggering is important to that structure.
The DART Mission: NASA's First Planetary Defense Test
NASA's Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) will be the first-ever space mission to demonstrate asteroid deflection by kinetic impactor. On September 26, 2022, the DART spacecraft will impact the moon of the binary asteroid system Didymos, changing that moon's orbit. Dr. Matthew Knight will give an overview of the mission and discuss his involvement in precisely determining the moon's orbit both before and after the impact.
Matthew Knight is an assistant professor of physics at the U.S. Naval Academy. He received his PhD in astronomy from the University of MD, and has worked at the Lowell Observatory and the University of MD before moving to the USNA. He studies comets, asteroids, interstellar objects, and other small bodies in the solar system.
When Good Satellites Go Bad: The Problem of Space Debris
There are currently over 43,000 objects launched by humans in orbit around the Earth. Only about 5,400 of these objects are active satellites. The remainder are what is called orbital or space debris: inactive satellites, rocket bodies, pieces of spacecraft, etc. Where did all this debris came from, what is the risk to active satellites from debris, how do we get rid of existing debris and how can we minimize the creation of future debris? With the planned launch of 100,000 new satellites into low Earth orbit, how can astronomers minimize the challenges posed by all these new satellites?
People in Early Astronomy: 2000 BCE to 1000 CE
Dr Sethanne Howard returns to talk about early astronomy and the people who practiced it.
Cosmos in a Camera Lens: Exploring the Universe through Astrophotography
Join the Friends of Arlington's David M. Brown Planetarium for a live online presentation!
Astrophotographer Kevin Quin will show how digital imaging has transformed astronomy and describe the imaging techniques employed by amateur astronomers. In the process he'll take the audience on a photographic tour of the cosmos, from our solar system to the edge of the universe.
Black Holes Can Dance!
Black Holes are interesting and strange things. We cannot see them, but we know they are there. So, what do we know about them and how do we know it? Join us online and learn about black holes!
Dr Sethanne Howard will present this online talk about how black holes are built, what it is like to visit one, and how they can dance.
Astronomy in Chaco Canyon
Chaco Canyon National Historic Park, located in the high desert of northwestern New Mexico, is a renowned dark-sky site.
Dr. Alice Monet recently spent nearly a week in Chaco Canyon and was astonished by the brilliance of the stars and other celestial objects. During her visit she explored some of the ancient ruins of the Chacoan culture and listened to local experts discuss the archeology, cultural heritage, and scientific accomplishments of the people who built and lived in Chaco 1,000 years ago. In this talk she will share some of what she observed and learned.
Short SkyTalk for June, 2021 - Cygnus the Swan
Era of the Space Start-Ups
Growing Up, Tyrant Style: The Shifting Ecology of Tyrannosaurs During Growth
Volcanoes of the US: A Geologic Cornucopia
Skytalk for March/April, 2021
Birthday Brunch with Albert Einstein!
Setting NASA's Research Direction: The Politics of Science
Hypatia Talks About the Star of Bethlehem
SkyTalk for December 2020: A Great Conjunction!
Promo for Voices from the Sky
American Archaeoastronomy
SkyTalk for August, 2020: Summer Triangle
Watch the Perseid Meteor Shower!
SkyTalk for July 2020: A Comet!
SkyTalk for June, 2020: The Solstice & Star Hopping
How the Moon Formed (and How Scientists Figured that Out)
SkyTalk for May, 2020: Planets
Eratosthenes Measures the World
Following the Sun - Eclipses to Auroras
A Quick Look at the Sky - Mid April, 2020
The Moon and Its Influence on Calendar Systems