Every week, TecMundo and #AstroMiniBR curate a special selection of the most interesting astronomical curiosities produced by the profile partners at X to share a little bit about our beautiful and fantastic universe. Check out!
#1: The not-so-dark side of the Moon…
This video of the rotating Moon shows us that the Moon does not have a dark side.
These are all illuminated by the Sun at some point.
What happens is that we always see the same face in front of us (the face with a predominance of dark gray dots).
#AstroMiniBR
(c) NASA //APOD pic.twitter.com/uh9yPihmWY— Ana Carolina Posses (@astroposses) June 6, 2024
The Moon always points the same side to the Earth due to a phenomenon called synchronous rotation. This is because the time it takes for the Moon to complete one rotation around its axis is exactly the same as the time it takes to orbit the Earth, both taking about 27.3 days.
This synchronicity is a result of the tidal forces exerted by the Earth; This force slowed the moon’s rotation over millions of years until it synchronized with its orbit. In conclusion, Only One side of the Moon is always facing usThe other side, often referred to as the “hidden side,” remains out of our direct view.
But the far side of the Moon is not a dark side forever. It actually receives the same amount of sunlight as the visible side. Because the Moon has no significant atmosphere to scatter light, areas lit by direct sunlight can be extremely bright, while areas in shadow can be very dark.
During a lunar cycle, All parts of the lunar surface experience approximately 50% sunlight and 50% darkness. This means that at any given time, about 50% of the Moon is illuminated by the Sun, while the other half is in shadow; just like the day-night cycle on Earth.
#2: Where do chemical elements come from?
?? Almost all chemical elements were formed by astrophysical events!
This periodic table shows how much of each element is created by each event:
Calcium (from our bones) was created, for example, in the explosions of massive stars and white dwarfs. #AstroMiniBR pic.twitter.com/unyl4s7X6y
— Thiago Flaulhabe (@TFlaulhabe) 24 November 2023
The picture you see above is a TThe Cosmic Periodic Table is an expanded and fascinating version of the periodic table as we know it.It covers the formation and distribution of chemical elements in the universe.
Each element has a specific origin and formation history that connects us to deep cosmic events. For example: the carbon necessary for life is formed inside stars in the process of nuclear fusion, which is released into space when stars explode, enriching the interstellar medium and contributing to the formation of new solar systems and eventually planets.
The origin of chemical elements in the universe is a fascinating process that begins with the Big Bang, which gave rise to the lightest elements, hydrogen and helium.
As the universe cooled and expanded, the first stars formed and began the process of nuclear fusion in their cores, creating heavier elements such as carbon, oxygen, and iron.
Catastrophic events such as the merger of neutron stars or the explosion of supernovae also contribute to the formation of the heaviest elements and their distribution throughout the Cosmos.
#3: The most common stars in the universe!
Although there are stars with lower temperature (compared to blue ones), red stars are the most abundant stars in the Universe?
We even use the principle of red star dominance to map the stellar mass that makes up a galaxy.#AstroMiniBR pic.twitter.com/5S8CY6W3ek
— Yanna Martins Franco (@martins_yanna) February 2, 2024
The universe is vast and full of stars; estimates suggest that there are between 100 billion and one trillion stars in each galaxy. Among these countless stars, the most abundant are red dwarfs – classified as spectral type M stars.
These stars represent approximately 70 to 80% of all stars in the Universe and are distinguished by their longevity and hidden existence. They are smaller and cooler than stars like our Sun; surface temperatures range from 2,500 to 4,000 degrees Celsius.
Additionally, its key physical properties include low luminosity and low mass (usually between 0.08 and 0.6 times the mass of the Sun).
Due to these features; they consume their nuclear fuel much more slowlyresults in extremely long lifespansIt can reach trillions of years, compared to the Sun’s approximately 10 billion years.
Although these stars are difficult to observe with the naked eye due to their dim brightness, they play a very important role in the galaxy, making them potential hosts for habitable planets.
Did you like the content? So always stay up to date with the latest astronomical curiosities at TecMundo!
Source: Tec Mundo
I’m Blaine Morgan, an experienced journalist and writer with over 8 years of experience in the tech industry. My expertise lies in writing about technology news and trends, covering everything from cutting-edge gadgets to emerging software developments. I’ve written for several leading publications including Gadget Onus where I am an author.
