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Posts by
Shireen Gonzaga
Delta Cephei helps measure cosmic distances
Delta Cephei is an inconspicuous variable star in the northern constellation Cepheus the King. This star helps establish the cosmic distance scale.
September 10, 2023
Alderamin, or Alpha Cephei, is a fast-spinning star
Meet Alpha Cephei, in the constellation Cepheus the King. It’s spinning so fast that it appears like a slightly flattened beach ball.
September 10, 2023
61 Cygni – a double star – is nicknamed Flying Star
Compared to other stars, 61 Cygni moves quite rapidly against the background of more distant stars, revealing its proximity to Earth.
August 11, 2023
The Scorpion’s Crown and its stellar neighborhood
Bright red Antares, and the 3 stars of the Scorpion's Crown, belong to a young group of stars called the Scorpius-Centaurus Association.
July 27, 2023
The Ring of Fire, where volcanoes and earthquakes reign
The Ring of Fire is home to the majority of Earth's volcanoes and earthquakes. This region rings the Pacific Ocean where tectonic plates interact.
July 21, 2023
Exquisite Albireo, a much-loved double star
Albireo, in the constellation Cygnus, is a favorite for stargazers. Through a small telescope, it appears as a stunning gold star with a dimmer blue companion.
July 15, 2023
Massive ruby red Antares is the Scorpion’s Heart
Red Antares, Heart of the Scorpion in the constellation Scorpius, is a mighty star, a red supergiant in the last stages of its life span.
June 29, 2023
See Mira the Wonderful at its brightest
Catch elusive wonderful Mira, a famous variable star in the constellation Cetus, at its maximum brightness in June 2023. Now you see it ... now you don't!
June 11, 2023
How a Venus flytrap knows when to shut
A fly, attracted to nectar on a strange leaf shaped like an open clam, is about to have a really bad day. Fly, meet the Venus flytrap.
April 28, 2023
Brightest Stars
Alpha Centauri, the star system closest to our sun
Our closest stellar neighbors are the 3 stars that are the Alpha Centauri system. They lie just over 4 light-years away (25 trillion miles or 38 trillion km).
April 16, 2023
