Tag: space

For most of us, what we know of the marvels of space lies in what we can see, with or without optical telescopes. However, the majority of the Universe’s secrets are hidden from view, buried within the furthest reaches of light’s spectrum and other electromagnetic radiation. For astronomers, using telescopes to observe such extreme forms of radiation allows them to get a far more detailed view of the Universe. In the near future, that view will come to life, courtesy of a complex array of instruments currently being built by Russia in collaboration with Spain, Germany, and Japan. Once completed, the Spektr-UF, also known as the World Space Observatory–Ultraviolet (WSO-UV), will scan the Universe’s ultraviolet (UV) wavelength signals to see what it can find. Astronomers can hardly wait.

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In 1998, American actor Bruce Willis blew up an asteroid and himself to save Earth’s inhabitants from extinction. The asteroid in question, roughly the size of Texas, was fictional, but the film, Armageddon, encouraged the millions who watched it to consider the actual scenario of a strike by one of the many celestial bodies that brushes past us. The film was inspired by a convention of leading scientists a few years earlier. Ever since, decisions made at that convention have guided international efforts to take action when a rogue asteroid has Earth in its sights.

It’s tempting to think there’s little in Earth’s path as it hurtles through space, but in reality, it must dodge innumerable obstacles. Space is not a wilderness; it bristles with all manner of activity. Much of it stays far away, but some travel to our neck of the woods. Some we