APOD 4.8

This picture of MyCn18: An Hourglass Planetary Nebula, was made an Astronomy Picture of the Day on May 10. Used in studies regarding galactic evolution, this image shows the effects of the exhaustion of nuclear power within the galaxy itself, causing the core to become a white dwarf star.

APOD 4.7

This picture of M51, The Whirlpool Galaxy, was made an Astronomy Picture of the Day on May 2. M51, also known as the Whirlpool Galaxy, and alternatively catalogued as NGC 5195, is located roughly 31 million lightyears away in the Big Dipper asterism.

APOD 4.6

This picture of a Massive Nearby Spiral Galaxy NGC 2841 was made an Astronomy Picture of the day on April 28. NGC 2841 is one of the most massive galaxies known, located roughly 46 million lightyears away in the northern part of constellation Ursa Major.

APOD 4.5

This picture of Colorful Star Clouds in Cygnus was made an Astronomy Picture of the day on April 22. The image is of a roughly 50-lightyear-wide star-forming region within Cygnus, located near bright star Sadr, in the Gamma Cygni nebula, roughly 1800 lightyears away from Earth.

APOD 4.4

This image of M46 Plus Two was made an Astronomy Picture of the Day on April 17. M46 is a 300-million year-old open cluster, located roughly 5000 lightyears away in the constellation Puppis. Also pictured are planetary nebula NGC 2438 and PK231+4.1.

APOD 4.3

This picture of NGC 2903 was made an Astronomy Picture of the Day on April 10. Located in Leonis, this spiral galaxy is known as its 'sickle', a jewel of the constellation 20 million lightyears away from Earth.

APOD 4.2

This image of M97 and M108 was made an Astronomy Picture of the Day on April 2. The image was accompanied by this poem by Edward Lear-
The Owl and the Galaxy sail these skies
With blue and yellow star.
They go together beneath the Big Dipper,
If you wonder where they are.
The Galaxy's light shines through the night,
Ten millions of light-years away.
But never fear the Owl is near,
Inside the Milky Way.
A cosmic shroud, the Owl is proud,
its central star a must.
And the spiral Galaxy lies on edge
To show off all its dust,
Its dust,
Its dust,
To show off all its dust.

APOD 4.1

This picture of NGC 2403 was made an Astronomy Picture of the Day on March 27. Located in the constellation Camelopardalis about 10 million lightyears away, the constellation is roughly 50,000 lightyears across and is formed mostly of HII.

APOD 3.9

This picture of an aurora over a glacier was made an APOD on March 10. Having been taken in Iceland over the Vatnajökul Glacier in January of 2014, the photo won an award for the photographer, who, for his entry of this photo, won Astronomy Photographer of the Year.

APOD 3.8

This picture of NGC 602 was made an APOD on March 7. Located in the Flying Lizard Nebula, on the outskirts of the Small Magellanic Cloud, this cluster is a mere 5 million years old.

APOD 3.7

This picture of the Pelican Nebula was made an APOD on March 4, 2015. Located in the constellation Cygnus slightly northeast of Deneb, the nebula is 2000 lightyears away.

APOD 3.6

This picture of the Rosette Nebula was made an APOD on February 25. Present within the constellation Monoceros, this nebula is about 50 lightyears in diameter.

James H. Jeans

James H. Jeans was born on September 11, 1877 to William Tullock Jeans, a parliamentary journalist and scientific biographer. Jeans displayed an early affection to physics and mechanics, mainly through clocks, which he manipulated and thoroughly understood with experience. He attended the Merchant Taylor's School from 1890 to 1896, and entered the Trinity College of Cambridge that same year. In 1901, he was elected a fellow of the school, and in 1903 obtained his M.A. His first treatise, published that same year, was his Dynamical Theory of Gases.

From 1905 to 1909, Jeans was a professor of applied mathematics at Princeton, where he wrote two textbooks- Theoretical Mechanics and Mathematical Theory of Electricity and Magnetism, the far more successful of the two. In 1907, he was elected a fellow of the Royal Society and married his first wife, Charlotte Tiffany Mitchell, with which he had one daughter. Jeans was a lecturer in applied mathematics at Cambridge from 1910 to 1912, when he officially retired from university duties and focused solely on writing and research.

Jeans' Report on Radiation and the Quantum Theory appeared in 1914 and was one of the first widely publicized and accepted papers on the quantum theory. From then, his interests turned to Astronomy, evidenced by his Adams Prize essay, Problems of Cosmology and Stellar Dynamics, published in 1919, and his book Astronomy and Cosmogony, published in 1928. He was elected as the secretary of the Royal Society from 1919 to 1929, vice-president from 1938 1940, president of the Royal Astronomical Society from 1938 to 1940 and president of the British Association for Advancement of Science in 1934. In 1932, he was made a research assistant of the Mt. Wilson Observatory, and he held the chair of the Royal Institution's astronomy wing from its establishment in 1935 until his death.

In 1928 he retired from scientific research, 6 years before his first wife's death in 1934. In 1935 he met and married Suzanne Hock, a concert organist. Following in her footsteps, he spent the rest of his days focusing on music, even publishing scientific material on the matter in the form of his book on acoustics, Science and Music. Published in 1938, he went on to conduct the Royal Academy of Music. He died in 1946 from coronary thrombosis.

Biography Sources

Complete Dictionary of Scientific Biography. Farmington Hills (Michigan): Gale Cengage Learning, 2008. Print.
Milne, Edward Arthur. Sir James Jeans: A Biography. Cambridge: U, 1952. Print.

Planetary Nebulae

This is the Cat's Eye Nebula, formally known as NGC 6543. Discovered by William Herschel in 1786, this particular image of the nebula was taken by the Chandra telescope with the aid of X-ray technology, due to the high amount of the frequency emitted by the planetary nebula.

This is NGC 6326. This nebula contains glowing wisps of outpouring gas from the center of the star that are illuminated by a binary central star.

This is the Helix Nebula, formally known as NGC 7293. Located in the constellation Aquarius, eventually, the nebula is destined to become a white dwarf star.

This is the Eskimo Nebula, formally known as NGC 2392. Named so for its appearance resembling an eskimo wearing a parka hood, the nebula is bipolar and double-shelled.

This is the Necklace Nebula, formally known as PN G054.2-03.4. Located in the constellation Sagitta, it was only recently discovered in 2005, from the Isaac Newton Telescope Photometric H-alpha Survey.

This is the Ring Nebula, formally known as NGC 6720 and categorized on Messier's list as M57. Located in the constellation Lyra, this constellation is passing through its final stage after being a red giant before becoming a white dwarf.

This is the Lemon Slice Nebula, formally known as IC 3568. Located in the constellation Camelopardalis, its core diameter is only .4 lightyears.

This is Abell 78. Located in a star cluster, it has been determined that planetary nebulas are more likely to inhabit 4 specific globular clusters, being M15, M22, NGC 6441 and Palomar 6.

This is NGC 6886. The nebula, in relation to most other planetary nebulas, is relatively tiny.

This is NGC 5189. This was photographed in 2009 by the Hubble Space Telescope.

APOD 3.5

This photograph of M106 was made an APOD on February 16. Dominated by blue spiral arms and a bright red center, the distinctive colors of the galaxy are caused by its dust. The core glows brightly with gamma and X-rays. It is theorized that a black hole exists in the galaxy.

APOD 3.4

This photograph of M100 was made an APOD on February 11. A spiral galaxy in the constellation Virgo, this galaxy has played an important role in discovering the age and origin of the universe. This picture was photographed in 2009 after a supernova had been detected coming from the galaxy.

APOD 3.3

This picture of Star Sprites, Clouds and Auroras was made an APOD on January 4. Pictured over Minnesota in 2003, the red lines in the left of the image likely appeared after a lightning bolt strike. Accompanied by green sprites, this image was photographed using extreme instability.

Stellar Nursery

http://ep.yimg.com/ay/skyimage/ngc-604-giant-stellar-nursery-9.jpg
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
https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSx81Zov1V3C2Y1_1rDG4U2c3UFXv8bF8nkAAnStrQ5q5BdN_oB

Observation 3.1

On January 31, a phenomenon that had been occurring, at least from my celestial viewpoint, for about a week was captured. The moon appeared to have a corona, a halo, if you will, caused not by Earth's atmosphere nor the weather below, but by its cyclical movements.

This picture of Comet Lovejoy's tail was made Astronomy Picture of the Day on January 17, 2015. Comet Lovejoy appears to be sweeping north along Earth's sky, and is still visible today. Stretched in the constellation Taurus, blowing over 5 million kilometers in the sky.

APOD 3.1

This picture was made Astronomy Picture of the Day on January 10, 2015. Taken on the Canary Island of Fuerteventura in telephoto, it provides a nice contrast between the moon and the windmill and the moon.

Observation 3

On day 3 of my observation binge, I was greatly aided by the notice of the Iridium Flare sent through the class text. I didn't feel like setting up the telescope tonight, so I simply used my binoculars. It probably wouldn't have helped to see the Iridium Flare anyways. Although, without my telescope's GPS system, it took me about a half an hour to find the right coordinates. I spent some time just looking at the stars, noting the fact that I'm going to have to educate myself on the new winter sky, before the flare came. I spent another hour looking up at the Pleiades and the northern constellations- the binary star in Vega is a treat to the eyes in binoculars. Campy as it is, I actually have been writing poetry about the stars, for which I have only this class to thank the inspiration for.

In the skies that rest so gently on high

The stars, they shine with brilliance aglow

Against the black heavens of the dark night;

They’ve moved me to wonder since long ago

Oh, stars, must I vacate your heavenly glow?

For seasons turn, as does the diamond sky

And take with them the stars of their abode

As months and years, they pass, so fleeting, by,

And in so, leave my only wish to know

Oh, stars, why now must you depart me so?

I’ll miss the gleams of winter in the spring,

The beams of light as summer turns to fall

And though new skies arrive with Earth’s great swing,

Those I’ve come to love flee from all below,

Abdicate their glorious shine and glow...

Oh, stars, I yearn for your returning show!

Joseph Lagrange

Joseph-Louis Lagrange, born on January 25, 1736, was an Enlightenment era mathematician and astronomer. Notable for his contributions to celestial mechanics, and having created a celestial coordinate system known as the Lagrangian point system, he spent the first 30 years of his life in Turin, Italy, before working for the Berlin Academy from 1766 and 1787, and then spending the final 26 years of his life in Paris before his death in 1813.

Lagrange's father held charge of the Italian king's military chest in Turin at the time, and had planned for his son to become a lawyer, which he first accepted wholeheartedly. He studied at Turin College, where he found Greek mathematics to be quite dull. However, at the age of 17, he accidentally stumbled upon a paper by Edmond Halley, who inspired a pursuit of mathematics for the young Lagrange. After only a year of study, he was appointed an assistant professor of mathematics at the Royal Military Academy of the Practice of Artillery in 1755 to teach calculus to an army testing ballistics theories of the time, technically making him the first person to ever teach calculus in an engineering school.

During his time at Turin, Lagrange established a society that became known as the Turin Academy of Sciences, where he discussed with pupils and colleagues scientific theorems of the time. Discourse in the society led to a 5 volume work known as the Miscellanea Taurinensia, in which most of his early findings on calculus and celestial movement. In his third and fourth volumes, he expounds upon differential equations of motion for three celestial bodies and effectively explains the Moon's libration.

Leonhard Euler, one of the men whose theorems Lagrange taught in the Royal Military Academy of the Practice of Artillery, saw his raw mathematical talent and attempted to persuade him to come to Berlin, but he had no such intention- it was implied that Lagrange had a distaste for Euler and his theories. He was eventually convinced by Frederick of Prussia to come and be the resident mathematician of his court, asking to have "the greatest mathematician in Europe" in his court. In 1766, Lagrange began his stay in Berlin, where he completed his greatest work- the Mécanique analytique- a further expounding on mechanics and calculus. Following his wife's death in 1783 and the death of Frederick II, Berlin became less feasible of a living option for Lagrange.

After weighing offers from the royal courts of Spain and Naples since 1786, he eventually accepted an invitation from Louis XVI to come to Paris in 1792. He was immediately awarded marks of distinction, special apartments in the Louvre, and membership into the French Academy of Sciences, which became part of the Institut de France in 1795. During the Reign of Terror, a decree was issued that all foreigners were to leave France- but Lagrange was explicitly exempted from that decree. In fact, upon the beginning of Napoleon's reign, in 1799, Lagrange was appointed a Senator by Napoleon himself. After two short teaching stays in the École normale, which only existed in 4 months, and the École Polytechnique, where he was appointed professor of mathematics, he spent the remainder of his days revising the Méchanique analytique. He completed about 2/3 of his revision before his death on April 10, 1813.

Biography Sources

"Joseph-Louis Lagrange." Lagrange Biography. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Jan. 2015.

Lagrange, Joseph-Louis. Complete Dictionary of Scientific Biography. Detroit: Charles Scribner's Sons, 2008. pp. 559-573. retrieved 30 May 2013.

Observation 2

Day 2 of my observation binge began with heeding the advice given in class earlier this morning to observe Venus around 6:30 tonight. After setting up my telescope since 5:30 (it is quite a burden, the telescope is very outdated and difficult to calibrate), I tried to observe Venus from 6:30 onwards- only to be disappointed to find that Venus was located in the 35-40 degrees of declination in my yard covered by trees (the 60 degrees alluded to in yesterday's report was an exaggeration, though the trees are quite dastardly obstacles to observing the horizon line). For the next hour, I calibrated the telescope to view, if I'm not mistaken, the Pleiades star cluster. That cluster has caught my eyes and I've spent an hour before looking at its majesty through binoculars with my sister. I find the Pleiades spectacular for some reason.

Observation 1

Recently, I was informed that my family actually owns a telescope. Since I need observation hours, I thought I would test it out. I spent about an hour setting my telescope up, setting its navigation system to fit the parameters of my backyard (we have a lot of tall trees, making everything from about 60 degrees up beautiful but making it near impossible to get anything on the horizon line). I spent another hour particularly on the circumpolar constellations- Ursa Minor, Cepheus, Cassiopeia and Draco.