Weekly Space Hangout -Jan 15, 2016: Dr. Steve B. Howell from Kepler

TL;DR

Recent developments in space exploration, including China's mission to the far side of the moon, a mysterious star dimming over a century, and ongoing issues of harassment in astronomy.

Transcript

and we are now live cool all right hey I got a haircut today just for you guys really I'm uh that's that's really kind of you so did I I look like a hobo I I start my project beer whenever I start like a big longterm project I start growing my beard just as a reminder that the project is ongoing and uh and we're not done yet so I'm getting more and... Read More

Key Insights

• 🌚 China's moon landing mission faces unique communication challenges due to the far side's lack of direct contact with Earth.
• 🤩 The dimming of Beetlejuice over 100 years perplexes astronomers, prompting questions about the star's evolution.
• 🖤 Quasars, supermassive black holes, can turn off, revealing the processes involved in these celestial events.

Questions & Answers

Q: What unique challenges does China face in landing on the far side of the moon?

Landing on the far side of the moon presents communication difficulties as direct contact with Earth is impossible, requiring relay stations in lunar orbit.

Q: Why is the dimming of Beetlejuice significant for astronomers?

The gradual dimming of Beetlejuice, a red giant star, raises questions about the mechanisms behind such phenomena and sheds light on stellar evolution processes.

Q: What complicates the investigation of sexual harassment cases in academic settings?

Privacy laws, like Title IX, hinder the sharing of investigative results between universities, allowing harassers to move to new institutions without a record.

Q: How can legislative measures combat the issue of harassment in academia?

Proposed legislation aiming to mandate the sharing of Title IX investigations between institutions can prevent harassers from evading consequences by moving to new universities.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• China plans to land on the far side of the moon, a challenging mission due to communication hurdles.

• A giant star, Beetlejuice, has been dimming for over 100 years, baffling astronomers.

• Another quasar shuts off, revealing the process of a supermassive black hole becoming inactive.

• Recent cases of harassment in astronomy highlight ongoing struggles in the field, sparking discussions and legislative actions.