Articles by clair wood
MAINE SKIES
Communicating with Voyager 1, farthest man-made object from Earth, takes over 33 hours
Voyager 1 was launched on Sept. 5, 1977, and, in the more than 36 years that have passed, has achieved a number of remarkable landmarks. In 1979, it visited Jupiter and sent back pictures of both the planet and its major moons. In 1980, it passed by Saturn and gave …
MAINE SKIES
How many stars can we see?
On a clear dark night in Maine with no interference from the moon, the sky appears dotted with millions of stars. One reader was curious: Just how many stars can we see? There is no true answer to this question as each person’s eyes are different even if sky conditions …
MAINE SKIES
Gravitational disturbances, ‘wobble’ of Earth’s axis can cause the sun to be in two places at once
By Clair Wood on May 29, 2013, at 11:33 a.m.
How can the sun be in two places at the same time? On the solstice the sun enters the astrological sign of Cancer but less than half a day later enters the astronomical sign of Gemini. What does this mean? The answer lies with precession, a circular motion or “wobble” …
MAINE SKIES
New supernova could give clues into the universe’s expansion
By Clair Wood on April 26, 2013, at 11:05 a.m.
Supernova are the result of the catastrophic explosion of a giant star. The energy emitted is beyond belief, outshining the output of 10 billion stars. There are several types of supernova but one, Type 1a, is of particular interest to astronomers in that they emit an essentially constant level of …
MAINE SKIES
Comet’s appearance highlights March astronomical events
Asteroids and meteorites made the news in February, and now this month’s astronomical headline will feature a comet. Comet PanSTARRS was discovered in 2011 in the far reaches of the solar system and will make its closest approach to Earth on March 5 at 100 million miles. It will be …
MAINE SKIES
Voyager journeys an epic achievement
The world is a far different place than when the Voyager 1 and 2 spacecraft blasted off into space to take a grand tour of the giant outer planets. Launched in 1977, today Voyager 1 is 11 billion miles from the sun and Voyager 2 is not far behind. It …
MAINE SKIES
Did the moon sink the Titanic?
There is an intriguing article by Donald Olson, Russell Doescher and Roger Sinnott in the April issue of Sky & Telescope. Titled “Did the Moon Sink the Titanic?” the authors explore the possibility that the convergence of three astronomical events may have created tides high enough to have caused the …
MAINE SKIES
The end of Mayan ‘long count’ calendar closer than expected?
Go to any bookstore and you will find at least a half dozen books on 2012, specifically Dec. 21, 2012, with premises ranging from global disaster to the ushering in of a new age of peace. The date is when many believe the Mayan calendar ends after a “long count” …
Transcripts of 911 calls reveal details in wrong-way driver’s fatal crash on I-95
Former Bangor High School principal Norris Nickerson dies at 74
Restart of East Millinocket mill delayed as firms clash on electricity agreement
Orono residents near Stillwater River report water coming into homes, flood warnings issued
Bucksport selects ‘enthusiastic’ Naples administrator as new town manager
In defense of Rebecca Wyke’s $40,000 raise
Bipartisan session
Boston Strong is for all of us, no matter where we live
Aroostook biathlon event director only American guest of Russian Biathlon Union
Red Sox edge White Sox in 14th, snap three-game skid
Former UMaine All-America goalie Howard hopes to spark Red Wings to playoff upset vs. Bruins
‘X-Men’ director Singer accused of drugging and raping teenager
Watching the ice run is the biggest show in town this time of year
Beloved Belfast volunteer, 82, thanked for service
‘Beneath the Harvest Sky’ paints authentic, intelligent picture of northern Maine