The astronomers at Griffith Observatory defy the notion that research and discoveries are prerequisites to astronomy. As professional astronomers and educators specializing in outreach, they use their expertise to connect with a worldwide audience.
Tag: astronomy
Stargazing Activities Should be Made Accessible to Urban Communities to Increase Well-being
COVID made us all aware that sitting inside, disconnected from each other and from nature, is not a way to live. Even without COVID, urban environments can feel devoid of nature, which negatively impacts well-being. City-dwellers need diverse, compelling opportunities that increase nature-connectedness. For a comprehensive plan, effective alternatives to green spaces are needed. Neighborhood stargazing parties could be an alternative to visiting a park or taking a hike.
Connecting to Nature Improves Mental Health Conditions Caused by COVID
Stargazers around the world are waking up early this month to catch a glimpse of a quartet of bright planets–Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn–clustered in the predawn sky. In addition to the pretty view, astronomers enjoy an early-morning boost to their mental health and well-being, and so could you!
Scientists Come One Step Closer to Pinning Down Where Life Began
Astrobiologists studying organic compounds in meteors have developed a technique that might let us finally see whether the building blocks for life could have arrived from outer space.
Astronomers Acknowledge Their Role in Climate Change
Although their footprint is small compared to other industries, astronomers acknowledge their carbon footprint following an industry-wide analysis and the UN IPCC assessment.
SpaceX Starlink Satellites Bring Internet to Everyone and Troubles to Ground-Based Astronomy
SpaceX will launch thousands of internet-broadcasting, communication satellites into orbit over the coming years. One of the costs is the interference with ground-based astronomical observations. Bright satellites reflect the Sun and create bright streaks through images, ruining the data. The radio bands used by the satellites will drown out radio-based astronomy that once observed in those bands–blacking out studies of signs of life and the distant past of the Universe.
Br. Guy Consolmagno, SJ
Br. Guy Consolmagno, SJ: an astronomer and Jesuit trying to bring harmony to the scientists and the faithful.