Frequently Asked Questions

First of all, there definitely is a lot of gravity in space. Gravity is a force that is very prevalent in space, even if it is not strong everywhere. In relation to the surface of Earth, gravity is obviously weaker the further from Earth you go, but gravity is still there in space. Gravity can …

The quick answer is that, according to observations made by astronomers, there is no edge to the universe. The universe is constantly expanding meaning that space spreads out infinitely in every direction. Galaxies and nebulas and stars fill out all of the space throughout this infinite universe. There are two observations that make this believable. Firstly, …

The short answer is that it the expansion of the universe is not what makes space a vacuum. What we call a vacuum in outer space is actually caused by gravity.  And when we say, ‘outer space’, it refers to the whole area of space that is not considered the atmosphere of planets or stars. And …

In principle, yes, time does go faster at the top of a building compared to the bottom.  This is because time will go faster the further you are from Earth’s surface when you compare it to someone who is on the surface of Earth still. This is something that Albert Einstein predicted when he developed his …

The short answer is that sound does not travel in space at all.  Since sound is received by our ears in the form of vibrating air and there is virtually no air in space, there is nothing to vibrate to make a sound. You could even imagine the loudest sounds you can think of, like a …

Thanks for your interest in our profession! It is exciting that you picked Astronomy for your report. Here’s a list of answers to your question written by some of my colleagues at the University of Santa Cruz: Astronomy as a Career. I’d like to add that as an astronomer, there are two main paths to the …

Does a sunset in the west and a moonrise in the east ever happen at exactly the same time? Yes, a sunset and moonrise can occur at about the same time. Specifically, it occurs on the night of a full moon! Let’s convince ourselves of why this is… Whenever we think about sunrises/sunsets in relation …

What are the degree requirements and verification required to become an astronomer? There are now diverse career trajectories for astronomers inside and outside of academia. Please check out this website compiled by the American Astronomical Society to see what other jobs are available to astronomers. To answer your question I will focus on a traditional career track …