| sinistra in nocturne_alley @ 2002-06-01 12:34:00 |
| Current mood: | annoyed |
I would like to remind students that Astronomy is not Astrology. There is a very significant difference:
astronomy
NOUN.
1. The scientific study of matter in outer space, especially the positions, dimensions, distribution, motion, composition, energy, and evolution of celestial bodies and phenomena.
astrology
NOUN
1. The study of the positions and aspects of celestial bodies in the belief that they have an influence on the course of natural earthly occurrences and human affairs.
I do not teach the latter. If you are interested in how "mercury in the third house" or other such nonsense affects your life I strongly suggest you enroll in Professor Trelawney's Divinations class.
Comments:
| goyle @ 2002-06-01 10:32 am UTC |
Prof. Sinistra will we be doing anything about the Dopple (spelling?) effect this term it sounds really fun why some planets in the distance look red I hope we can
I had a question about the latest es-say.
You said that light is always moving and photons only have energy if they are moving well what would happen if the universe stopped would the whole universe light up like a big lumos? i been think about what you said and this has been puzzling me I am very sorry
| sinistra @ 2002-06-02 08:14 pm UTC |
Mr. Goyle,
We shall be studying the Doppler Effect later in the term. As per your question, this has no direct relevance to the essay. However, in answer, please remember that as electrons become excited and switch levels they release energy and one of these forms is light (remember there are two forms of light, wave and particle). So you will note the key factor of movement. With no movement, there would be no changing of levels and no release of energy, and thus no light. Furthermore, remember that without movement, the light would never reach your eyes, and therefore you would perceive everything to be pitch black.