I'm coming up with 0.064179104%
Any Astronomy Buffs Here?
- Thread starter CameronBornAndBred
- Start date
DevilHorse
Member
DevilHorse
Member
Speed of light in MPH = 6.7x 10^8 MPH
Parker Solar Probe - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
Max Speed of Parker Solar Probe = 4.3x 10^5 MPH (according to graphic)
4.3x 10^5 / 6.7x 10^8 = 0.000246 = 0.0246%
No relativistic effects in speed here.
The article and the graphic may differ on what the speed is, but the math is correct. Perhaps an average number is being used somewhere.
Let's not quibble.
Larry
DevilHorse
DevilHorse
Member
My arithmetic is not right. Kdogg's answer is correct. I bow to your superior calculating ability.
Larry
DevilHorse
DevilHorse
Member
A 3rd non-Solar System object has been spotted and will be passing through the solar system with closest approach toward the end of the year.
The object known as A11pl3Z is taking a very eccentric/hyperbolic trip through the solar system:
For those not familiar with eccentricities and conic sections, here is a little primer:
The closest encounter for A11pl3Z with a planet in our solar system will be with Mars at 0.2 AU (about 18 million miles). The object will be 1.2 AU from earth on its' closest approach to us.
Interesting stuff (to me anyway).
Larry
DevilHorse
The object known as A11pl3Z is taking a very eccentric/hyperbolic trip through the solar system:
For those not familiar with eccentricities and conic sections, here is a little primer:
- A circular orbit has an eccentricity of 0 # get it, circle... zero, repeatable orbit around the focus
- An elliptical orbit has an eccentricity between 0 and 1 # repeatable orbit around one of the focii (ellipses have 2 focii)
- A parabolic orbit has an eccentricity of 1 # non-repeatable orbit. it comes and has enough speed to leave our solar system
- A hyperbolic orbit has an eccentricity above 1 # moving fast enough to mostly travel in a linear path, with a perturbation at closest approach
The closest encounter for A11pl3Z with a planet in our solar system will be with Mars at 0.2 AU (about 18 million miles). The object will be 1.2 AU from earth on its' closest approach to us.
Interesting stuff (to me anyway).
Larry
DevilHorse
DevilHorse
Member
Now here is something interesting that any student of Astronomy can appreciate.
Remember the New Horizons mission; you know the one that took those amazing shots of Pluto during a fly-by. Well it is still doing interesting work.
One of the interesting evolutions in Astronomy has been the desire to measure distances to things. The use of parallax, the telescope's answer to binocular vision, was one of the early ideas to measure distance to nearby stars. Now parallax is being used in other ways.
Larry
DevilHorse
Remember the New Horizons mission; you know the one that took those amazing shots of Pluto during a fly-by. Well it is still doing interesting work.
One of the interesting evolutions in Astronomy has been the desire to measure distances to things. The use of parallax, the telescope's answer to binocular vision, was one of the early ideas to measure distance to nearby stars. Now parallax is being used in other ways.
Larry
DevilHorse
camion
Member
New Horizons has demonstrated the use of parallax with two stars.
Is the next step to test "triollax" with, you know, three stars?
Ggallagher
Member
That probably wouldn't count as a "next" step. GPS uses three satellites to establish position, plus a fourth to correct timing problems. So maybe "pentolax" would be a next step.New Horizons has demonstrated the use of parallax with two stars.
Is the next step to test "triollax" with, you know, three stars?
DevilHorse
Member
Historically, I think the extension of parallax to 3, would be like having a 3rd eye for depth perception.New Horizons has demonstrated the use of parallax with two stars.
Is the next step to test "triollax" with, you know, three stars?
Somehow I think this is more confusing.
Beware of teachers with eyes behind their heads.
Larry
DevilHorse
DevilHorse
Member
Great article on how the world's scientists/countries reacted to the discovery of asteroid 2024 YR4:
www.technologyreview.com
You remember the asteroid that for a while had a 3% chance of hitting earth in 2032.
With all of the scientists and planning that mobilized, I feel a bit more confidant that all aspects/known_scenarios are being addressed in some way.
Long article (that I haven't finished) but an interesting behind the scenes detail.
Larry
DevilHorse
Inside the most dangerous asteroid hunt ever
As space rock 2024 YR4 became more likely to hit Earth than anything of its size had ever been before, scientists all over the world mobilized to protect the planet.
You remember the asteroid that for a while had a 3% chance of hitting earth in 2032.
With all of the scientists and planning that mobilized, I feel a bit more confidant that all aspects/known_scenarios are being addressed in some way.
Long article (that I haven't finished) but an interesting behind the scenes detail.
Larry
DevilHorse