Ask an Astronomer (2024)

Planets have the colors that they have because of what they are made of and how their surfaces and/or atmospheres reflect and absorb sunlight. Jupiter is a giant gas planet with an outer atmosphere that is mostly hydrogen and helium with small amounts of water droplets, ice crystals, ammonia crystals, and other elements. Clouds of these elements create shades of white, orange, brown and red.

Ask an Astronomer (1)


Ask an Astronomer (2024)

FAQs

What are some questions to ask an astronomer? ›

Ask an Astronomer
  • What is the difference between an asteroid and a comet?
  • Have any spacecraft landed on an asteroid?
  • Can an asteroid hit Earth?
  • Can you really walk on an asteroid like in some movies?

What are two questions that astronomers are trying to answer? ›

These questions have been pondered for generations, and our research is bringing us closer to answers than ever before. What conditions are necessary for life? Does life exist outside of the solar system?

What is the most difficult astronomy question of all? ›

"Will the Universe end?" is one of the biggest, and perhaps most important, questions about the Universe. Whether the Universe will exist forever or in some way 'end' depends on its rate of expansion, the average density of matter, and the fractions of matter, dark matter and dark energy it contains.

What are the biggest unanswered questions in astronomy? ›

Some of the biggest unanswered questions in the study of astronomy and cosmology include the nature of dark matter and dark energy, the origin and ultimate fate of the universe, the possibility of other universes beyond our own, and the search for extraterrestrial life.

What is the best question to ask an astronaut? ›

Frequently Asked Questions
  • How can I become an astronaut? ...
  • What does it feel like to sit on top of a 300-tonne rocket? ...
  • What was your scariest moment in space? ...
  • Does space smell? ...
  • Is there gravity in space? ...
  • What's the grossest thing about living in space? ...
  • How do you go to the toilet in space?

How do I talk to an astronomer? ›

If you have this project, we'd suggest calling an astronomy department at a college near you and ask if there is somebody you could interview either over the phone or by email. This spreads the interviews around, and it makes it more likely that you will get the answers you need.

What is the hardest planet to see? ›

Difficult to observe

Out of the five planets known since ancient times as the 'wandering stars', Mercury is the one least explored. Unlike Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn, Mercury is notoriously difficult to observe from Earth. Being the innermost planet of the Solar System, it always appears too close to the Sun.

What is the most unknown thing in space? ›

Dark matter — the unknown substance comprising 85 percent of all matter in the universe — is strange.

What is the biggest mystery in astronomy? ›

The biggest mysteries in Astrophysics
  • How was the universe created? In 1927, the theologian and astrophysicist Georges Lemaître described his deliberations on the creation of the universe from a singularity as the “primeval atom”. ...
  • Are we alone? The search for life in space. ...
  • Dark matter.

What questions scientists still can't answer? ›

What happens to us after we die? How did so much life appear on our planet when others seem devoid of any species at all? Who, if anyone, pulls the strings of our universe? Is it some all-powerful god in control or are there physical and mathematical principles driving the engine of our existence?

What is the coolest thing about astronomy? ›

  • Precious metals like silver and gold are forged when dead stars collide. ...
  • The number of stars in the Milky Way is probably higher than the number of humans that have ever been born. ...
  • Asteroids can have rings and moons. ...
  • Shooting stars blaze a range of colours based on the elements they're made of.

What is the most disturbing fact about space? ›

The Great Attractor

150-250 million light years from our galaxy lies a dreaded space anomaly called “The Great Attractor” with a gravitational pull so powerful that it can pull entire galaxies towards itself, and collapse them into each other. What's scarier is that we still don't know what it is.

What are good questions to ask NASA? ›

Frequently Asked Questions
  • What's the difference between climate change and global warming?
  • What's the difference between weather and climate?
  • Is it too late to prevent climate change?
  • Do scientists agree on climate change?
  • What is NASA's role in climate research?
  • What types of data do scientists use to study climate?

What is a simple question about astronomy? ›

How many stars are there in the universe? Why are there no green stars? How do astronomers accurately determine wobbles in a star's motion? If you combine the magnitudes of all visible stars, how bright a star will you come up with?

What are 3 things astronomers study? ›

Astronomers study planets, stars, galaxies, and other celestial bodies.

What are the questions to ask a space scientist? ›

  • Ask a Question.
  • Top Questions. How Are Basalt Columns Formed? How Are Craters Formed? How Are Diamonds Made? How Do We Know the Earth Is Round? How Far Have We Gone into Space? Was the Moon Landing Live? Will the Sun Ever Stop Shining?
  • Feedback.
  • Volunteers.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Merrill Bechtelar CPA

Last Updated:

Views: 5765

Rating: 5 / 5 (70 voted)

Reviews: 93% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Merrill Bechtelar CPA

Birthday: 1996-05-19

Address: Apt. 114 873 White Lodge, Libbyfurt, CA 93006

Phone: +5983010455207

Job: Legacy Representative

Hobby: Blacksmithing, Urban exploration, Sudoku, Slacklining, Creative writing, Community, Letterboxing

Introduction: My name is Merrill Bechtelar CPA, I am a clean, agreeable, glorious, magnificent, witty, enchanting, comfortable person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.