Astronomy: Get Started

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"Astronomers at last have captured a picture of one of the most secretive entities in the cosmos....

To capture the image, astronomers reached across intergalactic space to Messier 87, or M87, a giant galaxy in the constellation Virgo. There, a black hole several billion times more massive than the sun is unleashing a violent jet of energy some 5,000 light-years into space.....

The image offered a final, ringing affirmation of an idea so disturbing that even Einstein, from whose equations black holes emerged, was loath to accept it. If too much matter is crammed into one place, the cumulative force of gravity becomes overwhelming, and the place becomes an eternal trap. Here, according to Einstein’s theory, matter, space and time come to an end and vanish like a dream."

Source: New York Times

The entire state of Oregon was treated to a solar eclipse on August 21, 2017.  Learn more about this extraordinary astronomical event. 

NASA - How Eclipses Work

Eclipse Over America (PBS video)

Mission Overview

Launched: Jan. 19, 2006
Pluto Flyby: July 14, 2015
Ultima Thule Flyby: Jan. 1, 2019
Goal: Answer questions about Pluto, its moons, and Kuiper Belt objects.

Key Findings:
Mountains to Moons: Multiple Discoveries
Flowing Ices on Pluto

From NASA

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