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The Astronomy site didn't have enough activity during the beta. It has been closed, and its content has been merged into Physics. You can download the data dump of all questions here.

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Astronomy

Q&A site for expert and amateur astronomers and astrophysicists

Announcements

17  
The proposed description of this site is quite weak and doesn't provide any real direction. Personally, I think amateurs (and their equipment) have to be explicitly included, because astronomy, perhaps more than any other science, relies on amateurs for observational data and other input. A great example is the list of observatories, many amateur, maintained by the IAU Minor Planet Center at cfa.harvard.edu/iau/lists/ObsCodesF.html - mine is code J58. While amateur astronomers represent a wide spectrum of interests, the top end certainly overlaps the professional arena. – Tim Long May 27 '10 at 15:36
9  
I think the question of whether spaceflight and space exploration are on- or off-topic needs to be explicitly incorporated into the charter. The overlap between "people interested in astronomy" and "people interested in spaceflight" is very large, but not necessarily 100%. – Larry OBrien May 29 '10 at 18:37
6  
There may be three populations of questions here, Professional Astronomy and Astrophysics, Practical Amateur Astronomy and Space Flight and Exploration. – Chris Rowland May 31 '10 at 7:37
show 49 more announcements
69
votes
6
answers

Why wouldn't this just be part of the existing physics Stack Exchange site?

oct 29 '13 at 11:53 Community♦ 1
4
votes
1
answer

Why can't the old Astronomy Proposal be revived using the audience of this proposal

apr 1 '13 at 21:43 Robert Cartaino 473
14
votes
2
answers

Would it be worth including space & planetary sciences?

dec 5 '12 at 16:31 Jaroslav Dudik 51
9
votes
1
answer

Astronomy: How long before beta?

may 30 '11 at 23:43 Dori 746
7
votes
2
answers

Spaceflight: On or off topic

may 10 '11 at 19:10 Tigran Khanzadyan 206

discuss this proposal

188 Example Questions (10 closed)

active newest votes
up vote 0 down vote
What are the odds of an "extinction event," such as a collision of a large asteroid with the Earth, happening within our lifetime?
added by Robert Harvey, edited by WikiSpeedia hang-around Jun 3 '10 at 8:54
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up vote 0 down vote
How does quantum mechanics influence the study of astronomy?
added by Robert Harvey Jun 1 '10 at 21:36
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up vote 0 down vote
What is the Quintessence model?
added by Scott Wales Jun 2 '10 at 1:19
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up vote 0 down vote
Does the "Entrance Pupil" change with age?
added by Bob Bethman Jun 2 '10 at 15:30
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Entrance Pupil is the diameter of the pupil opening. There is a definitive difference between daylight, dark adapted, and age. It impacts the viewing ability of those performing "visual" Astronomy. IF this is not on topic, then the entirety of Astronomy is at risk. – Bob Bethman Jun 2 '10 at 16:22
up vote 0 down vote
Would a standard set of binoculars be enough to see Venus?
added by Nathan Osman Jun 3 '10 at 6:04
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up vote 0 down vote
What is the most distant point from the earth that a space shuttle could reach till now?
added by Mehper C. Palavuzlar Jun 3 '10 at 11:54
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up vote 0 down vote
Is the Universe infinite?
added by Mehper C. Palavuzlar, edited by WikiSpeedia hang-around Jun 3 '10 at 16:18
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This is certainly on topic, however it is a highly debated area in Astronomy. – Bob Bethman Jun 4 '10 at 19:48
Einstein had said he was not sure about the infinity of the Universe. – Mehper C. Palavuzlar Jun 4 '10 at 20:05
1  
"Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." – Corey Jun 4 '10 at 20:06
No it is not. The Universe is Finite and has no Border. – Rusty Jun 5 '10 at 12:39
@Rusty that sounds contradicting. unless you assume periodicity? – Tobias Kienzler Jun 10 '10 at 10:15
show 1 more improvement suggestion
up vote 0 down vote
Is there a legitimate reason to use a pinhole camera instead of looking directly at a solar eclipse?
added by gnovice Jun 4 '10 at 1:07
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How is this not a good example? In fact, there seem to be a lot of questions here that are marked as such. I think perhaps someone doesn't understand how voting works. – gnovice Jun 5 '10 at 4:28
To clarify, I meant this as a case to test the border between on- and off-topic. It discusses an astronomy-related topic, but the answers would stray into the health/medical field (i.e. "It can cause eye damage"). – gnovice Jun 5 '10 at 14:10
up vote 0 down vote
At what altitude do altostratus clouds generally form?
added by Charles Stewart Jun 7 '10 at 12:32
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up vote 0 down vote
What time zone is it at the north/south poles?
added by Corey Jun 9 '10 at 7:13
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up vote 0 down vote
What's the best way to correct a central hole on the mirror?
added by HRJ Jun 11 '10 at 6:58
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Intended as an example of a telescope-making question? Is it on-topic? – HRJ Jun 11 '10 at 6:59
up vote 0 down vote
Where would be the best place in the solar system to place a space telescope similar to hubble?
added by Aim Kai Jun 17 '10 at 12:27
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up vote 0 down vote
Which is the most powerful telescope in existence?
added by Binoj Antony Jun 19 '10 at 13:20
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up vote 0 down vote
Is it true that most of the stars we see with our naked eye are already dead/do not exist anymore?
added by Binoj Antony Jun 19 '10 at 13:21
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up vote 0 down vote
How can I design experiments to find the Earth's diameter, Earth-moon distance, or Earth-sun distance, using only amateur (but modern) equipment?
added by Larry Gritz Jun 22 '10 at 18:52
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up vote 0 down vote
What size telescope do you need to see [detail] on [object]?
added by Walter Jun 23 '10 at 13:02
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up vote 0 down vote
I would like to set up an automated observatory that I can control over the internet. What is a good and cheap Observatory control program to use?
added by PICyourBrain Jun 23 '10 at 13:06
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up vote 0 down vote
What is ASCOM? Is it a program? Is it well supported? How do I know if it supports my equipment?
added by PICyourBrain Jun 23 '10 at 13:08
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up vote -1 down vote
Where can I look to find the ISS tonight?
added by Michael Pryor May 25 '10 at 15:43
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Too localized.. – juanformoso May 27 '10 at 3:18
@Juan - I disagree, since the ISS is such a popular and easy thing to look for. – therefromhere May 27 '10 at 14:59
6  
Too temporally constrained. This question has a maximum shelf-life of 24-hours, since tomorrow the answer will be wrong. So in its current form, I'd say it was a bad example of an on-topic question. With a slight modification though, it could be made much more appropriate. "How can I find out where to see ISS at a specified date and location" would be much more on-topic. – Tim Long May 27 '10 at 17:52
3  
Wouldn't the "best answer" to this probably be a link to Spaceweather.com or other tracking site? So I'm +1 for this as "on topic" – Larry OBrien May 29 '10 at 0:29
1  
@Tim - Some questions are better phrased as though they occur at a given point and time in space, however the answers will answer generically. This helps immensely with internet searches. I vote this as a perfectly valid on-topic question, and would prefer the title continue to reference "tonight." – Adam Davis Jun 2 '10 at 20:06
up vote -1 down vote
What would a brand new star-gazer need to buy to get started?
added by Tyler Carter May 27 '10 at 4:07
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up vote -1 down vote
Why can we see the center of the galaxy in the Infrared but not in the optical?
added by dagorym May 27 '10 at 13:38
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up vote -1 down vote
What would be the implications be to the Standard Model if the Higgs Boson isn't found within the energy range of the LHC?
added by therefromhere May 27 '10 at 15:22
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Experimental high-energy physics is related but I think it's off-topic. – therefromhere May 27 '10 at 15:23
2  
another reason why astronomy and physics SE's should be linked – Tobias Kienzler May 28 '10 at 6:01
up vote -1 down vote
ASCOM Programming - Which astrometric components should I use? NOVAS2, NOVASCOM or Transform?
added by Tim Long May 27 '10 at 15:42
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Real question from AstroAnswers SE site. – Tim Long May 27 '10 at 15:43
up vote -1 down vote
Is the PulseGuide() Camera function blocking or non-blocking?
added by Chris Rowland May 27 '10 at 18:27
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Real question from AstroAnswers SE site. – Chris Rowland May 27 '10 at 19:06
up vote -1 down vote
0 In what location is the most current ASCOM driver located ?
added by Chris Rowland May 27 '10 at 18:27
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Real question from AstroAnswers SE site. – Chris Rowland May 27 '10 at 19:07
up vote -1 down vote
Is the Celestron CGEM a good mount for Astrophotography?
added by Chris Rowland May 27 '10 at 19:18
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I've put this in because I'm not sure what people will think - and I'm going to try to resist voting on it myself :-) But if you think it is off topic please comment saying where people should get this information. – Chris Rowland May 27 '10 at 19:19
up vote -1 down vote
Why are some telescopes described as having a 'fast' or 'slow' focal ratio?
added by delete May 28 '10 at 8:08
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up vote -1 down vote
What solar panels should I use for my remote controlled observatory?
added by WikiSpeedia hang-around May 28 '10 at 16:57
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(Intended as off-topic. Where the power comes from for an observatory does not have much to do with astronomy.) – WikiSpeedia hang-around Jun 4 '10 at 22:35
up vote -1 down vote
I found a black spot on Jupiter!!!
added by Arlen Beiler May 28 '10 at 23:40
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This hypothetical person really did find a black spot on jupiter, and when you point your scope at it, you can see it too. – Arlen Beiler May 28 '10 at 23:41
3  
Only if phrased as a question: "Hey! Anyone ELSE see that black spot on Jupiter?" :-) – Larry OBrien May 29 '10 at 0:39
Great Idea Larry – Arlen Beiler May 29 '10 at 1:37
up vote -1 down vote
For what types of targets are ultra-wide EPs the best choices?
added by Larry OBrien May 29 '10 at 0:44
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1  
@Larry OBrien: what are EPs? – WikiSpeedia hang-around May 29 '10 at 0:52
1  
Shorthand for "Eyepieces" -- ultra-wide eyepieces are typically quite expensive and discussion of them can attract flames. This question isn't quite flamebait, but it might generate heated discussion. – Larry OBrien May 29 '10 at 18:27
Bad example, please use full words when asking questions. – Harry Gindi Jun 22 '10 at 22:06
up vote -1 down vote
What are the common orbits that satellites are launched into and why are they used? Why isn't everything put into geostationary orbit?
added by therefromhere May 30 '10 at 14:36
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On-topic as includes space-flight: area51.stackexchange.com/proposals/51/astronomy/… – Arlen Beiler May 31 '10 at 1:04
Is space flight on topic? I'm not at all convinced that it is. – Chris Rowland May 31 '10 at 7:28
@chris currently there is an <sarcasm>overwhelming</sarcasm> 5:2 vote that it is on-topic – Tobias Kienzler May 31 '10 at 7:46
2:2 now. The fundamental thing is that if I can't find the questions I want to answer among all the noise I won't stay around. This applies to everone else as well of course. – Chris Rowland May 31 '10 at 10:16
@chris the 5:2 referred to the question whether space exploration is on-topic (area51.stackexchange.com/proposals/51/astronomy/…). I accept your opinion considering this noise, but democracy states different – Tobias Kienzler May 31 '10 at 12:19
up vote -1 down vote
Does radar data from Phobos really indicate it's hollow with large rectangular voids?
added by Larry OBrien May 30 '10 at 18:43
link
dailygalaxy.com/my_weblog/2010/05/… – Larry OBrien May 30 '10 at 18:46
From the linked page: "Your link is a website run by Richard C. Hoagland, a HACK conspiracy theorist ... is an American author and a proponent of various conspiracy theories about NASA, lost alien civilizations on the Moon and on Mars and other related topics. " – WikiSpeedia hang-around May 30 '10 at 22:58
@Larry OBrien: it is a very good question you posted. It raises the question whether questions that have a background in conspiracy theories and other misguided beliefs are on-topic or off-topic. Answers would debunk, but it could also lead to extended discussion. I can't currently make my mind up. What are your thoughts? – WikiSpeedia hang-around May 30 '10 at 23:07
It isn't really on topic, but can still be answered with something meaningful, such as, why it is off-topic. Really, though, who ever heard of a round body with rectangular voids in it. – Arlen Beiler May 31 '10 at 11:58
My feeling is that just because something involves an extraordinary claim it's on-topic until it's overwhelmingly rejected by science or history (astrology, moon-landing) or there's good cause to believe that the "debate" is being fostered in bad faith (creationism, climate change denialism). – Larry OBrien Jun 5 '10 at 2:23
up vote -1 down vote
Are weak lensing tomography and cluster counting complementary or competing methods of better understanding the properties of dark energy?
added by Mike Grady May 31 '10 at 4:45
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Up to now, the lensing that has been demonstrated has been done either in the visual bandwidth of light, and infrared. It has not however, been linked to anything in the discourse of dark matter/energy. One is a proven, the other is simply theoretical at this time, and probably for the foreseeable future. – Bob Bethman Jun 5 '10 at 0:19
up vote -1 down vote
What size binoculars should I get to start observing?
added by delete May 31 '10 at 12:10
link
up vote -1 down vote
How does the Large Area Telescope (LAT) on the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope actually detect light if it doesn't have any mirrors?
added by dagorym May 31 '10 at 15:11
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up vote -1 down vote
How does the Auger Cosmic Ray Observatory detect and measure cosmic rays?
added by dagorym May 31 '10 at 17:24
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up vote -1 down vote
Where can I do a certified distance learning course in Astronomy in the UK?
added by delete Jun 1 '10 at 11:00
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up vote -1 down vote
What is the p-p chain for Hydrogen fusion?
added by dagorym Jun 1 '10 at 21:06
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up vote -1 down vote
Were the oceans on Earth really formed from comet ice?
added by Corey Jun 4 '10 at 4:57
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up vote -1 down vote
What is Dark Flow?
added by Aim Kai Jun 4 '10 at 12:58
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