Category Archives: Astronomy

Q: Are white holes real?

Physicist: The Big Bang is sometimes described as being a white hole.  But if you think of a  white hole as something that’s the opposite of a black hole, then no: white holes aren’t real. They show up when you … Continue reading

Posted in -- By the Physicist, Astronomy, Math, Physics | 4 Comments

Q: What kind of telescope would be needed to see a person on a planet in a different solar system?

Physicist: When talking about telescopes there are two quantities to take into account; the “light gathering power” and the “resolving power” of the telescope.  “Light gathering power” is just how much light can be collected by the telescope.  “Resolving power” … Continue reading

Posted in -- By the Physicist, Astronomy, Physics | 8 Comments

Q: Which of Earth’s life forms could survive on each planet of the Solar System?

Physicist: We can feel fairly certain that no life from Earth can survive on the surface of any of the other planets. Mercury is really inhospitable.  Although there’s some water ice in craters near it poles, there’s very little hope … Continue reading

Posted in -- By the Physicist, Astronomy, Biology | 5 Comments

Q: How much of a direct effect do planets and stars have on us? Is astrology reasonable or plausable?

Physicist: Of the four forces: gravity, electromagnetism, nuclear-strong, and nuclear-weak, only the first two, gravity and EM, affect things over distances (at least, over distances larger than an atomic nucleus).  So, if the planets and stars have any direct influence … Continue reading

Posted in -- By the Physicist, Astronomy, Experiments, Physics, Skepticism | 2 Comments

Q: Why are scientists looking for life in space by looking for water? How can they be sure that all life uses water?

The original question was:  I’m reading more and more lately about the findings of the Kepler satellite and that some scientists are estimating that roughly 5% of newly discovered planets in our galaxy may have mass similar to Earth, which … Continue reading

Posted in -- By the Physicist, Astronomy, Biology, Logic | 6 Comments

Q: If fusion in the Sun suddenly stopped, what would happen?

Physicist: Almost nothing.  We’d have plenty time to pack our bags and leave. Assume that the cause of the fusion-stopping doesn’t matter, maybe the Weak force suddenly changed, or maybe the Vorgons used the Tax Uthat on the Sun, or … Continue reading

Posted in -- By the Physicist, Astronomy, Physics | 7 Comments