Category Archives: astronomy

New Video: Exoplanets Review January 2022

Posted on February 4, 2022 by Alex R. Howe

So, I decided to attempt a new video series where I talk about the latest research in the field of exoplanets. I was inspired by the Raptor Chatter channel’s “Paleontology in Review” videos, and I thought there was a niche … Continue reading →

Posted in astronomy, Planets, Video | 1 Comment

A Study in Parallel Universes: the Diproton “Catastrophe”

Posted on March 29, 2021 by Alex R. Howe

Advocates of “fine-tuned universe” claim that if the physical laws of our universe were just slightly different, life would not be able to exist. Some of my colleagues and I previously looked at these claims with the “Weakless Universe,” where … Continue reading →

Posted in astronomy, Physics, Science | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Life on Venus? Not so fast.

Posted on September 14, 2020 by Alex R. Howe

The big (and I mean BIG) astronomy news of the day is the announcement of possible (and I mean possible) signs of life on Venus—specifically, the detection of the molecule phosphine (PH3) in the upper atmosphere. The researchers, a large … Continue reading →

Posted in astronomy, Current events | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

What’s coming in Astronomy in the 2020s

Posted on December 30, 2019 by Alex R. Howe

At this time of year, many news sites, blogs, and others like to post a year in review…I’m not going to do that. It’s been a long, crazy year, much like the four-ish years before that. The news cycle has … Continue reading →

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The Mystery of the Big Bang Theory

Posted on November 23, 2019 by Alex R. Howe

There’s a problem with the Big Bang theory. No, I’m not suggesting the Big Bang theory is wrong. There are a few scientists who dispute it*, but this post isn’t about that. And it isn’t about the TV show either.** … Continue reading →

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The Transit of Mercury Is Tomorrow

Posted on November 10, 2019 by Alex R. Howe

Hmm…what to write about? I finished my series on evolution…I have a couple other things I’m working on, but they aren’t ready yet…what’s in the news? Oh, there’s a transit of Mercury tomorrow. I guess that’s the biggest science news … Continue reading →

Posted in astronomy, Current events | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

A Photo of a Black Hole: What’s Next?

Posted on April 14, 2019 by Alex R. Howe

I mentioned at the beginning of the year that I never really know what to do about blogging about science news. I don’t really know what to say that hasn’t already been in all the news articles. This week’s first … Continue reading →

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My First Attempts at Astrophotography

Posted on January 21, 2019 by Alex R. Howe

So, I won a nice astronomical camera in a raffle at the recent AAS conference, and since there was a lunar eclipse last night, I wanted to try it out with my telescope to get pictures. This didn’t go as … Continue reading →

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Sunday’s Total Lunar Eclipse

Posted on January 18, 2019 by Alex R. Howe

On the night of Sunday-Monday, January 20-21, there will be a total lunar eclipse. (Official NASA info.) This eclipse will be especially significant because it will be the first total lunar eclipse visible from most or all of North America … Continue reading →

Posted in astronomy, Current events, Doomsday predictions, Stargazing | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Highlights from the AAS Conference

Posted on January 12, 2019 by Alex R. Howe

For the past week, over three thousand astronomers from all over the world (including yours truly) met in Seattle, Washington for the American Astronomical Society Winter Meeting, the largest astronomy conference in the world. Much science was announced and discussed, … Continue reading →

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