StarDate Online | Frequently Asked Questions

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Frequently Asked Questions


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	General Information about StarDate and astronomy

Earth, Moon, and the Sun
• Why do we always see the same side of the Moon from Earth?
• Why does the Moon have phases?
• What is the difference between a solstice and an equinox?
• What is the chance of Earth being hit by a comet or asteroid?
• How was the size of Earth first measured?
• How fast is Earth moving through space?
• What causes the Northern and Southern Lights?
• Why does the Moon look bigger at the horizon?
• What are sunspots?
• Can solar flares and sunspots affect Earth?
• What causes tides?
• Did an asteroid really kill the dinosaurs?
• What is the Moon made of?
• Why is the Moon covered with craters?
• Why is the distance between Earth and Moon increasing?
• What causes the bright halo that sometimes surrounds the Moon?

The Solar System
• How and when did the solar system form?
• How big is the solar system?
• Is there a tenth planet in our solar system?
• Do all planets orbit the Sun in the same direction?
• Is there life on Mars?
• What are comets made of?

Space Probes and Human Exploration
• Are there plans to return to the Moon?
• Are there other planets in the Milky Way?
• Have we visited all the planets in the solar system?
• Will we ever visit other stars?
• Are there shortcuts through space?
• Are we trying to contact extraterrestrial civilizations?
• Why can't we see stars in the pictures of spacewalking or moonwalking astronauts?

Stars and Nebulae
• What is the nearest star?
• How do stars get their names?
• What makes the stars shine?
• Why do stars twinkle?
• How are stars born?
• What is a brown dwarf?
• How big can stars grow?
• What happens to a star when it runs out of fuel?
• What are stars made of?
• What is the difference between a nova and a supernova?

Astronomers and Observatories
• What is the largest telescope?
• Who invented the telescope?
• Why are many observatories located on mountaintops?
• How do astronomers measure distances to stars and galaxies?
• Who built the first observatory?
• Who made the first map of the universe?
• Are any observatories open to the public?
• What do astronomers do at an observatory?
• How do astronomers report their discoveries?
• How do modern telescopes work?
• Is Hubble Space Telescope the only telescope in space?
• How do astronomers use space-based telescopes?
• How do astronomers find planets outside our solar system?

Galaxies and Cosmology
• How many stars are in the Milky Way?
• Is there a black hole at the center of the Milky Way?
• How big is our galaxy?
• What is the nearest galaxy?
• How many galaxies are there in the universe?
• What is the Sun's place in the Milky Way?
• What do galaxies look like?
• What is the size and age of the universe?
• What is the universe made of?
• What do scientists mean when they say space is curved?

Stargazing and Star Lore
• What is the difference between a lunar and a solar eclipse?
• When are this year's solar and lunar eclipses?
• When is the Harvest Moon?
• What is a Blue Moon and when is the next one?
• How often do all the planets line up?
• Why aren't stars visible in the daytime?
• What is the difference between a morning star and an evening star?
• Is the Milky Way visible from Earth?
• What are shooting stars?
• How did the constellations get their names?
• What equipment do I need for stargazing?
• How do I find a good site for stargazing?
• How do I locate stars and planets in the night sky?
• Why do planets change position in the night sky?
• How does our view of the night sky change through the year?
• How do I report seeing unusual objects in the sky?
• How do the signs of the zodiac relate to astronomy?
• Are any artificial satellites visible from Earth?
• When does the young Moon first become visible in the evening sky?
• What are meteor showers?

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