Investigative Series: Lauren Brace – Outer Space: how does it impact us?

Ever since junior Evan Church was little, he has had the dream of flying to outer space—specifically, being the first person on Mars.  “When I was little, I always had the dream to be the first person on Mars,” Evan said. “I’ve always been a very imaginative person, and ever since I found out that people could go to the moon, I’ve always wanted to be weightless in space. I still have...

FHC alumna Megan Piontkowsky is a senior at Albion College, double majoring in math and physics with a concentration in astrology. She plans on attending graduate school for mathematical physics or theoretical astrophysics.  What inspired you to go into the field of astrophysics, and how long have you known this passion? “I took my first physics class with Amy Stone [during] my sophomore year of high school....

As children, we’re told to “shoot for the moon, and if you miss, at least you’ll land among the stars.” This, along with my parents introducing me to series such as Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey and Apollo: Missions to the Moon have ignited my curiosity for outer space and the advances in science that allow us to find answers to some of the greatest mysteries.  Still, astronomy doesn’t seem as ...

Despite the cliches, the stars do, in fact, twinkle against the infinite darkness. They wink as the observer passes, gazing from their minimal perspective. Explosions resulting in runaway nuclear fusion morph into a swirling mass of colors—a simultaneously terrifying and magnificent supernova. Immense collections of rock and ice hurl into oblivion, culminating in a coma around the center comet an...

For a planet that is constantly evolving, it seems only fitting that we expand our horizons to another destination out of this world: Mars. Named after the god of war, the planet of Mars is about 189.58 million miles away and is only 1/6 of the size of Earth. So, why take such an interest in the seemingly small and desolate planet? Scientists began their fascination with Mars dating back to the 1600s with Galileo ...