National Aeronautics and Space Administrion

Since its inception in 1958, NASA has accomplished many great scientific and technological feats in air and space. NASA technology also has been adapted for many nonaerospace uses by the private sector. NASA remains a leading force in scientific research and in stimulating public interest in aerospace exploration, as well as science and technology in general. Perhaps more importantly, our exploration of space has taught us to view Earth, ourselves, and the universe in a new way. While the tremendous technical and scientific accomplishments of NASA demonstrate vividly that humans can achieve previously inconceivable feats, we also are humbled by the realization that Earth is just a tiny "blue marble" in the cosmos. Check out our "Thinking About NASA History" folder online as an introduction to how history can help you.

Friday, March 23, 2012

Meteors

Meteors are cosmic debris. They are the dust shed by comets as they go by. They have only been seen as going up to 45 mph, so far.

Showers that occur in August are known as Persied showers, for the fact that they take place near the Persied Constellation. 

Many meteorite make up a meteor shower. However there are meteors unlinked to the showers are called sporadics.

In December there is a shower which is known as a Geminids because it is located close to the Gemini Constellation. Some showers are like that and named after the star or constellation they.are near.

Meteor observing is ideal for people who are just beginning, but could, at the same time, get very scientific. Meteor appearance takes time, so patience is required. Their brightness, color and speed take time. They may appear by themselves or be in a group. Zenith Hourly Rate (ZHR) are the exact exact rates the meteors have traveled across the sky. The last time the Earth past through a meteor storm was 1999.

Comets
They are basically smaller than meteors. Comets are composed of ices, dust and rocky debris carried from the early formation of the solar system about 4.5 billion years ago.

Comets are remnants from the cold, outer regions of the solar system. They are generally thought to come from two areas - the Oort Cloud and the Kuiper Belt. Both of these are areas where materials left over from the formation of our solar system have condensed into icy objects. Both regions extend  beyond the orbits of Neptune and Pluto but are still part of our solar system and much closer to us than the closest star.

Haley Bopp will return 2161. Comets are composed of ices, dust and rocky debris carried from the early formation of the solar system about 4.5 billion years ago.

Comets are remnants from the cold, outer regions of the solar system. They are generally thought to come from two areas - the Oort Cloud and the Kuiper Belt. Both of these are areas where materials left over from the formation of our solar system have condensed into icy objects. Both regions extend beyond the orbits of Neptune and Pluto but are still part of our solar system and much closer to us than the closest star in 4380.

The most recent comet.September 7, 2006
Mcnought appeared

1993 Shoemaker-Levy fragmented and dissolved in Jupiters atmosphere leaving Jupiters "Big Black Eye"

Encke-shortest orbital period 3.3 years around sun

Travels extremely elongated orbits

Contain materials ancient to Earth

Could have delivered water

Oort cloud is yet another group

Heart frozen mass of ice size of mountains

Ice melts, forms glowy tail

NASAs Stardust was the first to visit comet and return in 2006

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