Astronomy & Space

Since the dawn of humankind, we have wondered if we are alone in the universe. Join professors of physics and astronomy from George Mason University to examine how science has progressed in furthering our understanding of this age-old question.

Humans have watched the Northern Lights in awe for centuries, but only recently have scientists been able to fully understand how and why auroras exist. Kelly Beatty, senior editor of Sky & Telescope magazine, explores the origins of these dancing curtains of light, the fanciful explanations once given for them, and when and where you're most likely to see an auroral display.

Humankind has long looked to the skies to understand our place in the vast expanse of stars and planets. Astronomer Carrie Fitzgerald surveys the breakthrough observations that revealed many of the secrets of our home galaxy, as well as the Milky Way’s tantalizing puzzles whose keys remain hidden from view.

As part of of Space Tuesdays with George Mason University Observatory, Peter Plavchan and Michael Summers, professors of physics and astronomy at GMU, and John Callas, former manager of NASA’s Mars Exploration Rover program, look at the prospects of life on Mars past and present through scientific evidence collected by robotic landers and rovers and remote-sensing orbiters.

As part of Space Tuesdays with George Mason University Observatory, Peter Plavchan and Michael Summers, professors of astronomy and physics at GMU, explore stellar evolution and the life and death of red giants, yellow suns, and brown dwarfs.

For Albert Einstein, Galileo Galilei was “the father of modern physics—indeed, of modern science altogether.” Astrophysicist Mario Livio examines Galileo’s monumental achievements in astronomy, mechanics, and the development of the scientific method.

The 1970 Apollo 13 mission almost ended in tragedy when an explosion occurred on its way to a moon landing. Learn how a possible disaster was turned into a global rescue mission.