2 min listen
251E-263-Catching Shadows
ratings:
Length:
2 minutes
Released:
Sep 12, 2023
Format:
Podcast episode
Description
Students and teachers are doing real science by measuring the shadows cast by distant objects in our solar system.For years humans knew Pluto, the first Trans-Neptunian object to be discovered, only as a moving point of light in the night sky. It wasn't until 58 years after it's discovery that astronomers were able to observe a star as Pluto passed in front of it. These data gave an accurate diameter and also proved that Pluto has an atmosphere. There are estimated to be 100,000 Trans-Neptunian bodies larger than 60 miles or so in diameter. They have stories to tell about the beginning of the solar system. Additionally, sometimes, a passing star changes one of their orbits sending it into the inner solar system and perhaps near to us.
Released:
Sep 12, 2023
Format:
Podcast episode
Titles in the series (100)
99-Peppered By Space Rocks: It appears that the human population is at more at risk from smaller rather than larger Earth impacting asteroids. by Travelers In The Night