I. What is a White Dwarf? A white dwarf is a small, dense star that is the remnant of a low to medium mass star that has exhausted its nuclear fuel and shed its outer layers. White dwarfs are incredibly hot, with surface temperatures reaching up to 100,000 Kelvin, but they are also very small, … Read more
I. What is a Launch Vehicle? A launch vehicle, also known as a rocket, is a vehicle designed to transport payloads, such as satellites or spacecraft, into space. These vehicles are essential for launching objects into orbit around Earth or sending them on interplanetary missions. Launch vehicles are typically made up of multiple stages, each … Read more
I. What is Hot Staging in Rocketry? Hot staging is a technique used in rocketry where a rocket’s engines are ignited before the separation of stages. This is in contrast to cold staging, where the engines are ignited only after the separation of stages. Hot staging allows for a more continuous thrust during the transition … Read more
I. What is In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU)? In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) is the process of utilizing resources found in space, such as on the Moon or Mars, to support human exploration and settlement. Instead of relying solely on Earth for supplies, ISRU aims to use the resources available in space to reduce the cost and … Read more
I. What is the Tully-Fisher Relation? The Tully-Fisher Relation is a fundamental relationship in astronomy that links the luminosity or brightness of a spiral galaxy to its rotational velocity. It was first discovered in 1977 by astronomers R. Brent Tully and J. Richard Fisher, who found that there is a strong correlation between the luminosity … Read more
What is Planetary Protection? Planetary protection is a set of guidelines and practices designed to prevent contamination of celestial bodies, such as planets, moons, and asteroids, with Earth-based organisms. The goal of planetary protection is to preserve the integrity of these extraterrestrial environments and to ensure that any potential signs of life discovered on other … Read more
I. What is Jeans Mass? In astronomy, Jeans Mass refers to the minimum mass required for a cloud of gas to collapse under its own gravitational pull and form a star or a stellar system. This concept was first introduced by British physicist Sir James Jeans in the early 20th century as a way to … Read more
I. What is the European Space Agency (ESA)? The European Space Agency (ESA) is an intergovernmental organization dedicated to the exploration of space. Established in 1975, the ESA is made up of 22 member states from across Europe, including countries such as France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom. The agency’s headquarters are located in … Read more
I. What is Staging in Rocketry? Staging in rocketry refers to the process of separating different sections of a rocket during its flight to achieve specific goals. This technique allows rockets to shed unnecessary weight and increase efficiency as they ascend into space. By discarding empty fuel tanks and other components, rockets can become lighter … Read more
I. What are Polynesian Navigational Stars? Polynesian Navigational Stars are a group of stars that were used by the ancient Polynesians for navigation across the vast Pacific Ocean. These stars were crucial for guiding Polynesian voyagers on their long journeys between islands, allowing them to navigate without the use of modern tools such as compasses … Read more