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Frequently Asked Questions:
These are questions that I
hope run through the mind of any viewer visiting the website:
Do you
believe or do you have evidence of aliens and UFO's?
Did the United States put
a man on the Moon?
What is Astronomy Online about?
Why are you working so
hard on this website?
Who does the website benefit? What is the target audience for the website?
How is the website organized?
Where can I find more information?
How can I support Astronomy
Online?
I
have some information I want to contribute. Where do I sent it?
Where does the
information I sent get posted?
Who does your web design?
What other projects are you
interested in?
Can you help me with my projects?
Why are references important?
Can I use your material?
What happened to your online
store?
What are your thoughts
on Intelligent Design?
Do you
believe or do you have evidence of aliens and UFO's?
I have been asked
this question on countless occasions, so I though I would add this entry into
the FAQ. Personally I believe that there is extra-terrestrial life. I believe
there are hundreds if not thousands of planetary systems that will have at least
one planet capable of supporting life. I have never seen a UFO or any aliens
here on Earth, and have yet to see hard evidence to prove they do exist. People
who ask the question should always look to the other side of the story. Eye
witness testimony is not good enough to "prove" the existence of anything. I
have seen some very strange things when I drink too much scotch, but that
doesn't make it real! People researching UFO's or aliens should visit and
bookmark the following sites:
The UFO Skeptic's
Page - alternate explanations of famous sightings
Circle Makers -
people that actually make crop circles, and some very intricate designs
Bad Astronomy - not
really a UFO debunking sight, but does have insight into the claim of the Apollo
Moon Landing hoax UFO, aliens, alien abductions and paranormal phenomenon are
all lumped into the "pseudo-science" genre. If there are people that still
firmly believe this stuff, or actually have these types of abilities, you need
to visit this website: James
Randi Educational Foundation - if one can prove these things, they will get
a million dollars! "Extraordinary claims requires extraordinary proof." This
axiom is alive and well in the world of science, so perhaps the pseudo-science
folks should also inherit this axiom. Regardless of what phenomenon is is
researched and studied, the
Scientific Method should be applied. Back to Top
Did the United States put
a man on the Moon? Yes.
Bad Astronomy has
pages about this, but for those who still question this:
- If we faked it, wouldn't Russia have spread the word? They were our
competition.
- Lighting issues - the Flag is translucent so yes both sides are visible,
lighting of dark areas - the Moon's regolith reflects sunlight, shadows are
not consistent - they are not consistent on Earth either due to changes in
elevation, hills and object distance.
- The flag waves in what appears to be wind - what you are seeing is lack
of dampening because there is no atmosphere. The rod holding the flag is
aluminum so it continues to move longer than on Earth. Residual movement was
the result of placing the flag.
- There are no stars in the photos - true, but do the same on Earth and
you will get the same result. We do not see more stars in space as our
atmosphere is optically transparent.
- There is no crater from the Lunar Lander - true, but this is because
there is less gravity on the Moon so full thrust is total overkill. The
thrust was reduced to 25% when landing - hence no "blast" crater.
- Radiation would have killed the astronauts - not true at all. Solar
Flares are detectable and move at supersonic speeds (speed of sound - it
takes light 8 minutes to reach earth), so that means a flare can take a few
days to reach us. Cosmic ray emissions are dangerous if exposed for weeks to
months at a time, but not for the short duration of visits to the Moon.
These conspiracy theorists are also forgetting that even today, the
McDonald Observatory in Ft. Davis, Texas routinely bounce lasers off mirrors
placed on the Moon by the Apollo astronauts. They do this to get accurate
positions of the Earth in the Solar System.
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What is Astronomy Online about?
Astronomy Online is an information website dedicated to providing up-to-date
links and information in all the major topics of Astronomy. This site is also
designed to be a students reference as well as a resource for amateur
astronomers. Additionally, this site also serves as a hub for Astronomers around
the world to debate in the forums, share ideas, and gain valuable knowledge in
what ever area of Astronomy he or she may be interested in. Back to Top
Why are you working so
hard on this website? I have always had a passion for Astronomy since
I was a wee child. Now that I am older and in a position to learn more about
Astronomy, I have taken it upon myself to earn my Master's degree in Astronomy.
During my studies, I have come across frequently changing Internet websites,
broken links, and many "questionable" website. Additionally I have discovered
some very valuable Internet resources. This site serves as my guide in my
studies by centralizing my notes and resource links. While this site serves
me, I also want this site to server you as well. And this is my way of
contributing to the vast pool of knowledge. Back to Top
Who does the website benefit? What is the target audience for the website?
This website benefits anyone with an interest in Astronomy. The target of this
website is everyone! Back to Top
How is the website organized?
I have created major topics of Astronomy with links underneath the logo. Each
major category has their relative subcategories. Some of these subcategories
have additional topics of their own, and are visible on the left navigation box.
The material is of a basic to intermediate level with advanced topics and
subjects left to the Additional Resources of each major category. On the right
hand side of the logo are quick links to reference materials, introduction,
about us, FAQ, and search. Back to Top
Where can I find more
information? The References tab includes sections on books, website,
magazine and professional journals I have used to fill the pages of this site.
In addition, subcategories of the Additional Resources will include additional
website links and guest contributions. A forum is also in place to share ideas
and ask questions. There is plenty of information here! Back to Top
How can I support Astronomy
Online?
There are four ways to support Astronomy Online:
- Spread the word - tell your family and friends about this website
- Contribute to the forums and/or information to the website
- Consider a Donation
- Placing your advertisings on the web site
Back to Top
I have some information I want to contribute. Where do I sent it?
Information, images, questions and comments can be sent to:
astro at astronomyonline.org
E-mail is checked on a daily basis,
and I will respond to any questions. Back to Top
Where does the
information I sent get posted? There are two locations that
information will be posted on this website:
- If the information is of a basic or intermediate level, it will
reside within the pages corresponding to the major topic
- If the information of an advanced level, it will reside in the
Guest Contributions and/or Advanced Topics within the Additional
Resources section.
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Who does your web design?
My beautiful and talented wife is the web guru.
Back to Top
What
other projects are you interested in? I am interested
in all topics of Astronomy; however, my first goal is to collect
data for exoplanet research. With additional donations I would
like to see:
- A telescope dedicated solely to remote access
- A telescope dedicated solely to the search for NEO's -
Near Earth Objects
- A telescope dedicated to teach photography, telescope
use, and general observing
Back to Top
Can you help
me with my projects? If you are a student and your
project is related to your education, this site is enough to
help you with your content. If you are an amateur who
wishes to use this site in someway to assist your project,
please contact me
and we can discuss. Back to Top
Why are references
important? Plagiarism is illegal and violates
copyright. Any time a thought and idea is written down
(notes, website, letter, poem, website, book and so on) it
becomes the intellectual property of that individual. This
also applies to images. I have used NASA, JPL, NOAA and
other government organization images for this site unless
specified otherwise. If you supply content, I have to assume
you have already referenced any material you borrowed or
used to create your work. Back to Top
Can I use your
material? As long as you do not use my material
for profit, you are free to use it under the following
conditions:
- All material written by me is protected by copyright laws
- If my material is used, references to me are
required
- I request a link or copy of anything in which my
material is used
Simple conditions, and it helps to protect me and
anyone who uses this site.
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What happened to your online store?
Trying to maintain a
store while working on my degree and contributing content to the website is an
Back to Top
What are your thoughts
on Intelligent Design?
This is a hot topic in the world of science. The current trend in the United
States seems to be a push towards "traditional values," and this includes
religious faith. While I have no problem with an individuals belief or faith,
religion and science are not compatible. The purpose of science is to basically
question our Universe, to understand how it works and to test theories of how we
think it works. Christianity and other religions answer the questions as to why
we are here. Science can be tested and religious beliefs cannot.
The problem with Intelligent Design is in its statement, that life is far too
complex for it to have evolved naturally without the intervention of a Supreme
Being. While this may be true, it basically states that close examination
of life is no longer necessary.
Some people seem to find the theory of evolution and the Big Bang theory to be
offensive. However, while these are theories there are many compelling pieces of
evidence to support these theories - and this simply cannot be ignored.
For me, I find it more of a miracle that all of this - the entire Universe -
began as a single event over 13 billion years ago, and that life emerged from a
volatile environment here on Earth from methane and carbon components around 3.5
billion years ago. The introduction of ready-made life on Earth seems to easy to
me as life would not have had to survive the many changes on Earth from early
formation, environmental changes, virus and bacterium, predators, and food
supply.
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