September Stargazm
A New Type of Solar System
McDonald Observatory astronomers and two McDonald telescopes played a major role in understanding a new type of solar system found by NASA's Kepler mission: the first multi-planet solar system orbiting a binary star. The research is published in the journal Science.
Stargazing Summary
This is a month of especially close encounters for the Moon. It just squeaks past Jupiter early in the month, takes aim at Venus a few days later, and finishes up with Mars after the Moon moves into the evening sky in mid-month. Scorpius and Sagittarius, the signature constellations of summer, are getting ready to drop from view, while a string of constellations representing water is climbing into view in the southeast.
Radio Program Highlights
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September 3-9: Messiness. Science isn't always neat and tidy — it involves a lot more time and effort than scientists anticipate. We'll talk about one "messy" effort this week, along with companions bright and faint for the Moon.
September 10-16: Big neighbor. The most distant object visible to the unaided eye is the giant Andromeda galaxy. And over the eons it'll become even more visible, because it's on a collision course with the Milky Way.
September 17-23: Seeing red. The Moon passes by a couple of bright points of light in the evening sky this week, and both of them are known for their reddish color. Join us for the Moon, Mars, and the rival of Mars, plus much more.
September 24-30: Water worlds. All the water in Earth's oceans is just a drop in the bucket compared to the possible oceans on some of the solar system's big moons. Join us for the details on these watery satellites, plus much more.
September Program Schedule »
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Premium Audio: Listen to today's program today on-demand with a paid subscription to StarDate premium audio.
September 3-9: Messiness. Science isn't always neat and tidy — it involves a lot more time and effort than scientists anticipate. We'll talk about one "messy" effort this week, along with companions bright and faint for the Moon.
September 10-16: Big neighbor. The most distant object visible to the unaided eye is the giant Andromeda galaxy. And over the eons it'll become even more visible, because it's on a collision course with the Milky Way.
September 17-23: Seeing red. The Moon passes by a couple of bright points of light in the evening sky this week, and both of them are known for their reddish color. Join us for the Moon, Mars, and the rival of Mars, plus much more.
September 24-30: Water worlds. All the water in Earth's oceans is just a drop in the bucket compared to the possible oceans on some of the solar system's big moons. Join us for the details on these watery satellites, plus much more.
September Program Schedule »
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This Month in StarDate Magazine
In the September/October issue of StarDate, author Bradford Behr updates us on the bounty brought in by WISE, the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer. And we'll look back on efforts to communicate with inhabitants of other planets in the early days of radio.
Universo Returns
The Spanish-language Universo program returns in September with the first of three new 4- to 5-minute episodes. The first program discusses the work of McDonald Observatory astronomer Fritz Benedict, who is studying a star system known as Gamma Cephei. Later programs will cover another of Benedict's projects plus new lessons that are being learned by re-examining lunar samples from the Apollo missions.
News From the Observatory
NASA, Texas astronomers find first multi-planet system around a binary starMcDonald Observatory astronomers and two McDonald telescopes played a major role in understanding a new type of solar system found by NASA's Kepler mission: the first multi-planet solar system orbiting a binary star. The research is published in the journalScience.
Astronomers Test Einstein in a New Regime Using Pair of Burnt-Out Stars
McDonald Observatory astronomers led a team of researchers that followed the inward spiral of a pair of burnt-out stars to confirm its emission of that most-elusive of cosmic bounty: gravitational waves. Their work successfully tested Einstein's Theory of General Relativity in a new regime.
Astronomers Test Einstein in a New Regime Using Pair of Burnt-Out Stars
McDonald Observatory astronomers led a team of researchers that followed the inward spiral of a pair of burnt-out stars to confirm its emission of that most-elusive of cosmic bounty: gravitational waves. Their work successfully tested Einstein's Theory of General Relativity in a new regime.
Show Your Support for Science Education
At every level of government, civic and elected leaders speak in agreement about the need to improve science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) opportunities in elementary and secondary schools nationwide. McDonald Observatory has worked for decades with this mission in mind, giving teachers the tools they need for lesson planning and classroom instruction. Please help us continue this work by making a donation to McDonald Observatory's 2012 Annual Fund. Gifts are 100% tax-deductible and any amount helps.
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