Search found 8 matches

by Epictetus
Fri Jun 01, 2012 6:33 am
Forum: The Library: Information Desk and Educational Resources
Topic: Gas Giants' Interior Composition
Replies: 2
Views: 3386

Re: Gas Giants' Interior Composition

As there has been no response, I'll share this with you. Someone named Electro522 answered this same question (posted by me) at SciForum: For Jupiter, if I recall, astronomers believe that it has a solid iron/nickel core similar to Earth's because of its magnetic field. As to the size of it, we have...
by Epictetus
Wed May 30, 2012 2:53 am
Forum: The Library: Information Desk and Educational Resources
Topic: What season is it on Mars now?
Replies: 9
Views: 6258

Re: What season is it on Mars now?

Thanks again, Ann. I have looked up Venus' axial tilt, and here's what I got:
http://www.universetoday.com/36123/axis-of-venus/
Apparently Venus rotates "backwards" because it is upside down. :shock: And, you're right, it experiences no season but a constant temperature.
by Epictetus
Tue May 29, 2012 8:44 am
Forum: Open Space: Discuss Anything
Topic: A Suggestion
Replies: 22
Views: 1081

A Suggestion

Whoever it is that does such things - you should have an obvious link to APOD. I have been looking at APOD daily for years, and only the other day when I was looking at http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap120524.html I somehow found myself on this forum. Maybe I clicked the wrong button. I am glad I did, bu...
by Epictetus
Tue May 29, 2012 4:46 am
Forum: The Library: Information Desk and Educational Resources
Topic: What season is it on Mars now?
Replies: 9
Views: 6258

Re: What season is it on Mars now?

Okay Chris, so at what point in Earth's year (what month?) is it at aphelion? Does the month shift over the years? And how much does it actually affect the weather/climate? Thanks, Ann, I will try to learn more about Uranus. I had thought of its rolling ball orbit, but I was hoping one of you would ...
by Epictetus
Mon May 28, 2012 2:37 am
Forum: The Library: Information Desk and Educational Resources
Topic: What season is it on Mars now?
Replies: 9
Views: 6258

Re: What season is it on Mars now?

I thank you both. So, bystander, spring is just beginning on Mars' northern hemisphere, while here spring is quite advanced. All right, and if I understand your information correctly that is the merest coincidence. So if a Martian year is 687 Earth days long, are the seasons about twice as long as w...
by Epictetus
Mon May 28, 2012 2:14 am
Forum: The Library: Information Desk and Educational Resources
Topic: Gas Giants' Interior Composition
Replies: 2
Views: 3386

Gas Giants' Interior Composition

Does anyone know the theories of what is at the core of the Solar system's gas giants? I have heard them described as 'beach balls' with no solid surface - but perhaps with pressure and heat, or cold in some cases, some of them have semi-solid surfaces? Or perhaps very hard surfaces indeed? I think ...
by Epictetus
Sat May 26, 2012 4:28 am
Forum: The Library: Information Desk and Educational Resources
Topic: What season is it on Mars now?
Replies: 9
Views: 6258

What season is it on Mars now?

I know that Mars had four seasons just as Earth does, but when are they? So it is late spring now in Earth's northern hemisphere, and autumn i its southern, but do these n anyway correspond to the Martian seasons or are they on an unrelated, independent cycle? What season is it in Mars' northern and...
by Epictetus
Sat May 26, 2012 4:04 am
Forum: Starship Asterisk: Handbook
Topic: Introductions: How did you become interested in astronomy?
Replies: 271
Views: 2032780

Re: Introductions: How did you become interested in astronom

Hello. I am a bit over 50 and have always loved astronomy. I can't boast much knowledge or skill, but take especial interest in planetary astronomy and planetary composition. Of course my interests includes planetary satellites. I live in the southern hemisphere, in Semarang, Central Java, Indonesia...