Category Archives: Solar System

There’s a Star in the East

Posted on January 4, 2019 by mossjon314159

Long winter nights. Crisp clear skies. Denser colder atmosphere. These are a few of my favorite things during the winter months and they add up to darker skies and brighter stars.  This weekend also has a few things going for … Continue reading →

Posted in Astronomy, Jupiter, Mercury, Science, Seasons, Solar System, STEM, Venus, Winter | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Solar Cycle Stranger Things

Posted on October 17, 2017 by mossjon314159

I’ve reached the halfway point through my Introduction to Astronomy class. This week marks the eighth week of fifteen, sixteen if you count the first week where we just spent time getting to know each other and exploring the textbook … Continue reading →

Posted in Astronomy, Science, Solar System, Stars, STEM | Leave a comment

No, Chicken Little, the Sky is Not Falling

Posted on October 9, 2017 by mossjon314159

My topic for discussion this week will attempt to answer the question: Why do astronomers believe that the debris that creates many isolated meteors comes from asteroids, whereas the debris that creates meteor showers is related to comets? But first, … Continue reading →

Posted in Asteroids, Astronomy, Comets, Mathematics, Science, Solar System, STEM | Leave a comment

Blue and Green with Envy

Posted on October 3, 2017 by mossjon314159

In this week’s discussion topic, I attempt to answer the question “Why are Uranus and Neptune distinctly bluer than Jupiter and Saturn?” On Uranus and Neptune, the methane absorbs red, orange and yellow light, reflecting back the blue.  In contrast, … Continue reading →

Posted in Astronomy, Neptune, Science, Solar System, STEM, Uranus | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Dark Seas and Bright Highlands

Posted on September 26, 2017 by mossjon314159

On the basis of lunar rocks brought back by the astronauts, explain why the maria are dark-colored, but the lunar highlands are light-colored? Regions of both the near side and far side of the Moon not covered by mare basalt … Continue reading →

Posted in Astronomy, Moon, Science, STEM | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Gas Giant Genesis

Posted on September 20, 2017 by mossjon314159

Which giant planet formed first? Short answer:  Jupiter Long answer:  Still Jupiter, but let’s dive in and take a more detailed look. Birth of a Gas Giant A long time ago in a solar system very near you, just 1 … Continue reading →

Posted in Asteroids, Astronomy, Comets, Jupiter, Mars, Science, Solar System | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Newton and Neptune

Posted on September 5, 2017 by mossjon314159

My second post in my series of weekly discussion topics for my Introduction to Astronomy online class.  Last week I got up close and personal with the many sides of the Moon.  This week I take a closer look at … Continue reading →

Posted in Astronomy, Mathematics, Neptune, Science, Solar System | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Lunar Yin Yang

Posted on August 30, 2017 by mossjon314159

Another semester is upon me and my continuing pursuit of a degree.  This fall I’m seeking my science lab course credit so I decided to enroll in something I can easily get excited about:  Astronomy The following post begins a … Continue reading →

Posted in Astronomy, Moon, Science | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Fantastic Fun Friday

Posted on August 26, 2017 by mossjon314159

I knew going into Friday I would have a very long day ahead of me. I had errands I needed to run first thing in the morning, so I planned to be late to work.  I stayed up past my … Continue reading →

Posted in Astronomy, Epic Fantasy, Fantasy, Jupiter, Moon, Musings, Saturn, Seasons, Summer | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Autumn Arrives and Adventures in Astronomical Observing

Posted on September 24, 2016 by mossjon314159

Autumn arrived mid-week here in the Heart of America, but you wouldn’t have known it by looking at the weather forecast:  Mid 90s and moderately high humidity.  Also with the change of the seasons, I retired my FitBit Charge (or … Continue reading →

Posted in Altair, Andromeda, Arcturus, Astronomy, Autumn, Clusters, Constellations, Deep Sky, Mars, Musings, Nebula, Neptune, Saturn, Seasons, Solar System, Vega | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment