Article Collection

Astronomical Leaps

“Using ESO’s Very Large Telescope and its ability to obtain images as sharp as if taken from space, astronomers have made the first time-lapse movie of a rather unusual shell ejected by a ‘vampire star,’ which in November 2000 underwent an outburst after gulping down part of its companion’s matter. This enabled astronomers to determine the distance and intrinsic brightness of the outbursting object.”

Science Daily, November 17, 2009

September 10, 2009

The Center of the Universe

Dan Cloer

Wendy Freedman serves as director of the Observatories of the Carnegie Institution of Washington. She spoke with Vision about the next era of astronomy.

July 20, 2009

From the Ground Up

Dan Cloer

On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin made the first extraterrestrial steps for mankind after the lunar module Eagle landed on the moon.

August 3, 2009

George Hale: To Know the Stars and Sunbeams

Ben Orchard

The last century was a time of cosmic exploration; George Hale’s contribution was in building tools that have given us greater access to the universe.

July 10, 2009

Neil Armstrong: A Man Out of Time

Robert Kehoe

For almost anyone alive on July 20, 1969, the first words from the Moon and man’s first steps are flashbulb events immortalized in the mind.

July 10, 2009

Alan B. Shepard, Jr.: Spam in a Can?

Dan Cloer

Alan B. Shepard, Jr. lived twice as long as many people expected. The first American in space, he lit America’s enthusiasm to rally behind the space program.

March 25, 2009

Another Another World

Dan Cloer

Just as a soap opera will not give valuable insight into real human relationships, finding another earth will not help us understand our place in the universe.