Join us as we explore the solar system, viewing techniques, galaxies, space travel, and much, much more.
On January 3, 2023, American astronaut Walter Cunningham passed away at the age of 90 after a full and complete life. While he may not be a common household name today, he is an integral part of American history, specifically for his contributions to space exploration. NASA claims that Cunningham was “instrumental to our moon […]
Walter Cunningham: An Astronaut You Need to Know About Read More »
If stargazing is your favorite pastime, you may look up and wonder how exactly a star forms and how old they are. You might be surprised to hear that, unlike other celestial bodies in our universe, stars do not last forever. However, they do live a long and full life and are ever-changing, moving through
The Fascinating Life Cycle of a Star: From Gas Cloud to Black Hole Read More »
Learning about new scientific topics can be intimidating; nobody wants to appear out of their depth. Here at Optical Mechanics, we understand that many people feel uncomfortable asking questions about things they might not be fully knowledgeable about. This is why we decided to break down some fun and easily digestible facts about NASA. For
What Does NASA Stand For? You May Be Surprised… Read More »
It’s been depicted a million times in television, cinema, and video games – what would happen if an asteroid were to strike Earth? While scientists can break it down for you in a lecture, blog post, or scientific research study, none of those options are as exciting as watching it play out for yourself. And
How To Have Crazy Fun With the Neal.Fun Asteroid Launcher Read More »
Having the opportunity to witness a comet zoom through the sky can be an exciting and impactful experience. Unfortunately, seeing this type of event is rare, and we only get a few chances each year. Is Comet 2023 going to be your Comet Year? Because it is so infrequent, you must keep track of when
Comet 2023: When and Where to Catch The Year’s Best Read More »
Welcome to our guide on the constellation Andromeda! This stellar formation is located in the Northern Hemisphere of our night sky and can be seen from any part of the world. Named after a princess from Greek mythology, this star pattern has been used for centuries by various cultures to mark seasonal changes and keep
Andromeda Constellation: It’s A Beaut! Read More »
Venus is so bright that it is visible during the daytime and night. It is located close to Earth and is easily seen with a telescope. It looks almost like a bright star. As the brightest planet, it’s a popular planet for amateur astronomers. This guide teaches you how to see Venus through a telescope.
How To See Venus Through A Telescope Read More »
Earth’s Most Essential Essential: The Sun The Sun is a massive, luminous ball of plasma located at the center of our solar system. It is estimated to be about 4.6 billion years old, making it one of the newer objects in the Milky Way galaxy. The Sun provides us with light and heat, which is
How Old Is the Sun? Read More »
Who Doesn’t Love An Eclipse? Solar and lunar eclipses are spectacular celestial events that have enthralled and captivated viewers for millennia. Occurring in cycles, these two types of eclipses are mesmerizing to behold and often require travel to truly appreciate. This article will explore the nuances of solar and lunar eclipses, their causes and appearances,
2023 Eclipse Guide: Don’t Miss Anything! Read More »
Deep sky field universe
Solar System vs Galaxy vs Universe Read More »
Let’s Get Started… We get the question “how long after sunset is it dark?” a LOT. Knowing the time of darkness after sunset is important to many astronomers and astrophotographers. Unfortunately, however, it is not a straight answer for every situation; one must consider things such as latitude, season, and altitude. What is “Astrodark”? Astrodark
How Long After Sunset is it Dark? Read More »
Magnification is used to enhance an object’s size so that it can be viewed with the human eye to assess it for a number of reasons. This could be for scientific research, geographical investigation, or purely from a visual perspective. We often get asked what the easiest way to calculate total magnification is. This article
How To Calculate Total Magnification Read More »