Can galaxies ever get destroyed? What happens to their stars? Do galaxies ever die? More on today’s Ask a Spaceman!
Jul 16th: Can a Galaxy Be Destroyed?
Paul M. Sutter Archive
Jul 2nd: Where is the Center of the Universe?
What does it mean for the Universe to have a center? Could we ever travel to ours? What is a singularity?
Jun 18th: Does the Universe Get Shorter When You Go Faster?
How does length contraction work in relativity? Do moving objects really get shorter? What about from their perspective? How are we supposed to make sense of any measurement?]
Jun 4th: What is the Cosmic Flaw That Shouldn’t Exist?
What is the “cold spot” on the cosmic microwave background? Why shouldn’t it exist? What are some possible explanations for it, and why are they unsatisfying? I discuss these questions and more in today’s Ask a Spaceman!
May 21st: Can Life Survive on Locked Planets?
How do planets get tidally locked? What are these systems typically like? Can life find a home in such a challenging environment?
May 7th: Why is it So Hard to Return to the Moon?
If we went to the Moon already, why can’t we go back so easily? What technology have we lost? What are we trying to do differently?
Apr 16th: What is the Most Distant Thing We Can See?
What’s the most distant thing we can see with the naked eye? What about with a telescope? What about at other wavelengths? Is there anything more to see?
Apr 2nd: Will Emergent Gravity Rewrite Physics?
What is “emergence” in physics and why is it a big deal? What would it mean for gravity to be emergent? How would we have to rewrite the laws of physics?
Mar 19th: Will Our Universe End in a Big Rip?
How can a “big rip” tear the Universe apart? What does that mean for existence itself? Is it going to happen, and what are we doing to find out? I discuss these questions and more in today’s Ask a Spaceman!
Mar 5th: What’s the Best Way to Defend Our Planet?
How do we track dangerous asteroids? What can impacts do to us? What do we plan to do if The Big One is headed for us? Is Armageddon a documentary?