In the 19th century, scientists were keen to solve the problem of predicting tides. Ships needed to know when to go to the port without running aground, and fishermen wanted to know when to catch fish. Variations in water level were measured using a mechanical device that plotted the height of the sea on graphContinue reading “Analog Computers and Tides”
Category Archives: Tech
The James Webb Space Telescope
The replacement to the Hubble space telescope is planned to launch on December 18th. With production beginning all the way back in 2004, it cost a staggering $9.66 billion dollars to manufacture, including operational costs. It is an infrared telescope, which will allow us to see galaxies 100 million years after the Big Bang orContinue reading “The James Webb Space Telescope”
Telescopes
Telescopes have been the most significant observational tool in astronomy since its invention by the Dutchman Hans Lippershey in 1608. It played a significant role in Galileo’s observation of the phases of Venus, Jupiter’s moons and craters on the Moon. Nowadays, we have the Hubble Space Telescope, and later in 2021 we will send theContinue reading “Telescopes”
Private Space Exploration
The emergence of private space companies began in the early 2000s: Space X was established in 2002 and Blue Origin in 2000. Currently, the three major players are Virgin Galactic, Blue Origin, and Space X. Their goals are to make space more accessible for people not formally trained as astronauts. Space X is making otherContinue reading “Private Space Exploration”
Very Large Telescope
The Very Large Telescope is a beautiful facility in northern Chile. The ESO ran facility started operation in 1999. It consists of four optical telescopes that operate at infrared and visible wavelengths. The facility is extremely productive, with only the Hubble telescope producing more research papers during its operation. I just think it’s a dreamContinue reading “Very Large Telescope”
The Artemis Program
NASA’s website calls the Artemis program Apollo’s twin. Its immediate goal is revitalising the US space program and sending the first woman and person of color to the Moon. It is supposed to be the foundation for a sustained international stay of humanity on the Moon. The end goal is making going to Mars veryContinue reading “The Artemis Program”
Breakthrough Starshot
Overview The Starshot mission is tasked with reaching Alpha Centauri, the closest star system to Earth at 4.37 light years from the Sun. With current technology it would take 73,000 years to travel there, assuming travel at the speed of the Voyager (NASA). This project wants to use very small nano-probes attached to lightsails, whichContinue reading “Breakthrough Starshot”
The Apollo 11 Story
Neil Armstrong’s words when he touched down on the Moon “That’s one small step for man. One giant leap for mankind.”, are probably the most famous in the history of space exploration and in the 20th century as a whole. The Apollo 11 mission, which launched from Cape Canaveral on July 16, 1969, has been aContinue reading “The Apollo 11 Story”