The word astrolabe comes from the #Greek for ‘star-taker’.
From the 8th century, #scientists & thinkers used instruments like this to gather information relating to timekeeping, positions of sun, stars, #planets, & point to the direction of #Mecca.
In 2017, I crocheted myself a solar system costume. The headpiece is mounted on a bike helmet for stability (I got that tip from some folks who build showgirl costumes). The tunic is made from fine black linen yarn, very matte, very tedious, much like I imagine space is most of the time. The planets are made using an online sphere pattern generator, so that I could vary the sizes in a predictable way; they are strung on a fishing line with beads, and suspended from an elastic collar, also crocheted. They are also kept in place with a beaded "asteroid belt", located between Mars and Jupiter, of course. Photographed at Manhattan Beach Pier. All second-hand yarns, though I had to ask around for enough yellow to make the sun so large. #solarsystem#crochet#costume#planets#sun#astronomy#planetary#yesplutotoo
Astronomers have discovered that free-floating planets, which are not bound to a host star, are much more abundant than planets in orbit. These solitary planets are believed to form within the gas and dust disks around young stars, similar to other planets. However, instead of staying in their star system, they are forcefully...
Forgot to share this last night. A bit of low-fi dog walk iPhone astrophotography. Mars is almost in a straight line with the stars Castor & Pollux in Gemini at the moment.
...Obviously the labels were added after the event. #astronomy#planets#NewZealand
Folks, I'm very pleased to announce the publication of my two new astronomical guides...
You can download FREE PDF copies at the links below. You're welcome to share them with whoever you'd like - to be honest and upfront, it would really help me out by raising awareness with like-minded folk :-)
I know the Fediverse generally skews towards the scientific consensus, but I'm curious with how you feel about the International Astronomical Union (IAU) demoting Pluto to dwarf planet status back in 2006?
Anyone on #Mastodon or the #Fediverss know of any good space simulation games? I have Universe Sandbox 2 which is pretty neat but I’m looking for other suggestions, as I think it would be helpful for one of my worldbuilding projects.
Although my computer isn’t that powerful, I’m particularly looking for stuff like SpaceEngine (which sadly does not run on my PC)
The James Webb Space Telescope may have finally confirmed how planets take shape. An international team of researchers recently processed JWST data that backs up the theory of “icy pebble drift.” Science Alert has more: https://flip.it/SkjNjn #Science#Space#JWST#Planets#SpaceExploration
Which is your favorite planet and why?
I would choose Mars, mostly because of all the plans that we have for it. Imagine having people actually living there, it sounds insane!
Study finds free-floating planets more common than previously believed (citylife.capetown)
Astronomers have discovered that free-floating planets, which are not bound to a host star, are much more abundant than planets in orbit. These solitary planets are believed to form within the gas and dust disks around young stars, similar to other planets. However, instead of staying in their star system, they are forcefully...
Webb telescope spots water in a nearby planetary system | CNN (www.cnn.com)
The James Webb Space Telescope detected water vapor swirling around a planetary system 370 light-years away.