Every week, TecMundo and #AstroMiniBR bring together the best astronomical curiosities created by the collaborators Profile on X I want to share a little more of the fantastic universe of astronomy with you. Check it out below!
#1: An astronomical observatory in Minas Gerais
The Pico dos Dias Observatory (OPD), located in Brazópolis, Minas Gerais, It is the largest professional astronomical observatory in Brazil. and one of the main ones in Latin America. Operated by the National Astrophysical Laboratory (LNA), OPD plays a very important role in various astronomical researches.
Notable instruments include the observatory’s largest, the 1.60-meter Perkin-Elmer telescope (pictured above). This telescope is used for a variety of observations, from studying stars and planets to analyzing distant galaxies. With its ability to capture impressive details of the sky, the Perkin-Elmer has become an important tool for Brazilian astrophysics, allowing scientists to conduct fundamental research for national and international scientific development.
If you’re interested in visiting OPD and observing the wonders of the universe, know that the observatory offers visits on open days. These visits are a unique opportunity to explore the facilities, learn about the research being conducted, and of course, observe the sky through the observatory’s telescopes, including Perkin-Elmer when available. Visits usually take place on specific dates published on the LNA website and must be booked in advance.
In addition to the scientific experience, visiting OPD allows you to connect directly with the fascinating world of astronomy, in a place where science and the beauty of nature meet!
#2: The not-so-dark side of the moon
The “far side” of the Moon, called the “dark side”, is the side of the Moon that is never visible from Earth due to a phenomenon known as synchronous rotation. It takes the Moon the same amount of time to rotate on its axis as it does to complete one revolution around the Earth, about 27.3 days.
In conclusion, We always see the same side of the Moon, while the other side is hidden from terrestrial observers. Scientific interest in this hidden side is huge because it presents different geological features, such as a thicker crust and a greater number of craters, compared to the side facing Earth.
Space exploration missions such as China’s Chang’e 4 mission have been crucial in uncovering the secrets of the Moon’s far side: in 2019, Chang’e 4 made the first soft landing on this side, opening a new era in lunar exploration. The mission brought important discoveries, such as information about the composition of the lunar soil and the presence of minerals that are not as abundant on the visible side.
#3: Finding exotic molecules in distant galaxies!
Detecting molecules in distant galaxies is a complex process that involves observing faint signals from very distant regions of the Universe. Astronomers use advanced telescopes such as ALMA (Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array) and radio telescopes to detect specific radiation emissions at millimeter and submillimeter wavelengths.
These emissions are characteristic of certain molecules, allowing scientists to detect their presence in interstellar gas clouds even billions of light-years away. Emission spectroscopic analysis helps distinguish different molecules based on their unique spectral signatures, revealing insights about the chemical composition of galaxies and the cosmic environment in which these molecules were formed.
Some of the molecules detected may resemble the substances that make up gasoline on Earth, such as complex hydrocarbons. Molecules such as benzene and other aromatic compounds have been detected in interstellar gas clouds in star-forming regions in distant galaxies.
These compounds are important because they are precursors to the more complex organic molecules needed for the formation of planets and potentially life.
Did you like the content? So, always stay up to date with all the astronomy curiosities on TecMundo! See you next week!
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.
