astronomy jargon Archives

August 17, 2021August 16, 2021 by Paul M. Sutter

Astronomy Jargon 101: Hertzsprung–Russell (HR) diagram

The Hertzspirg-Russel diagram, showing the relation between star's color, AM. luminosity, and temperature. Credit: astronomy.starrynight.com

In this series we are exploring the weird and wonderful world of astronomy jargon! You’ll soon have a better way to categorize today’s topic: the Hertzsprung–Russell diagram!

August 16, 2021 by Paul M. Sutter

Astronomy Jargon 101: Doppler Shift

In this series we are exploring the weird and wonderful world of astronomy jargon! Watch out for today’s topic: doppler shift!

August 11, 2021August 10, 2021 by Paul M. Sutter

Astronomy Jargon 101: Adaptive Optics

In this series we are exploring the weird and wonderful world of astronomy jargon! Adjust your eyeglasses to read about today’s topic: adaptive optics!

August 10, 2021August 9, 2021 by Paul M. Sutter

Astronomy Jargon 101: Astronomical Unit

This image depicts the two areas where most of the asteroids in the Solar System are found: the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, and the trojans, two groups of asteroids moving ahead of and following Jupiter in its orbit around the Sun. The binary asteroid 288P is part of the asteroid belt.

In this series we are exploring the weird and wonderful world of astronomy jargon! It’s easy to measure your interest in today’s topic: the astronomical unit!

August 9, 2021August 9, 2021 by Paul M. Sutter

Astronomy Jargon 101: Parallax

With parallax technique, astronomers observe object at opposite ends of Earth's orbit around the Sun to precisely measure its distance. CREDIT: Alexandra Angelich, NRAO/AUI/NSF.

In this series we are exploring the weird and wonderful world of astronomy jargon! You probably don’t know how close you are to today’s topic: parallax!

August 8, 2021August 9, 2021 by Paul M. Sutter

Astronomy Jargon 101: Magnetars

In this series we are exploring the weird and wonderful world of astronomy jargon! Hang on to your magnetic hats, because today’s topic is magnetars!