Discovery Space: Comets Comets are essentially chunks of dirt and ice. They have changed even less than asteroids since the beginning of the solar system. Therefore, comets can provide valuable information about their origin. Comets are celestial bodies that are invisible until they near the sun. Some comets have short orbital periods and are thought … Read more
Asteroids and Comets Asteroids and comets are probably remnants from the time the solar system formed. Consequently, they are fascinating to science, providing clues to the early life of the solar system. Asteroids Asteroids are irregularly shaped boulders, usually less than 60 miles (100 km) in diameter. They orbit the sun, generally in slightly elliptical … Read more
Discovery Space: Mars Mars is only half as large as the Earth, and it is enclosed by a thin atmosphere. From all the planets of the solar system, its surface conditions are closest to those on Earth-so it has long been of great interest to science. Mars is 1.5 times further from the sun than … Read more
Discovery Space: The Earth-Moon System The Earth and moon were forced into coexistence by the collision that created the moon. Since then their movements have been closely interwoven. They influence each other, creating diverse phenomena. The diameter of the moon is four times small to than that of the Earth. In comparison, the moons of … Read more
Discovery Space: The Moon No other celestial body is as close to Earth as the moon. It has been comprehensively explored, but some of its secrets have still not been revealed. The surface of the moon, scarred with craters, provides a glimpse of what the Earth might have looked some four billion years ago. At … Read more
Discovery Space: Mercury and Venus Mercury and Venus are relatively close to the sun, so both are scorching hot. Neither one has any moons. Other than that, they are very different. Venus—in contrast to Mercury—has a dense carbon dioxide atmosphere. Mercury is the innermost and smallest planet of the solar system. Its surface is marked … Read more
Discovery Space: Solar Research Many phenomena related to the sun can be observed and studied from Earth. A more detailed investigation of developing solar magnetic fields and flares is, however, made possible by the use of space probes and satellites. Ancient cultures observed and studied the position of the sun throughout the year, recording important … Read more
Discovery Space: Cosmic Weather The sun is not merely a source of light and heat to its surrounding environment. Solar radiation is a factor that influences many cosmic and terrestrial phenomena, some of which can be harmful. The planetary system is surrounded by the sun’s magnetic field and by solar radiation. The latter includes mainly … Read more
Discovery Space: Magnetic fields and Solar Wind The sun’s influence extends far into space. The complex magnetic field of the sun changes continuously within cycles that last several years. These are tied into various phenomena, such as the formation of sunspots. The hot plasma (gas) of the sun consists of electrically charged particles. The sun … Read more
Discovery Space: The Sun The sun is the star central to both our planetary system and our lives as a huge power station providing the Earth with warmth and light. Its particle radiation generates the beautiful auroras (northern lights or southern lights) in the Earth’s atmosphere, but can also cause damage to electronics, satellites, and … Read more
