Earthsky Science FAQs

Science FAQs

02-06-2010 - Health

What causes a hungry stomach to growl?

Just thinking about food sends signals to your digestive organs to prepare them for a meal. >>

02-06-2010 - Biodiversity

Which bird migrates the farthest?

North American Arctic Terns fly about 40,000 kilometers, or 24,000 miles, each year - about equal to the distance around the Earth. >>

02-06-2010 - Earth

Can it ever be too cold to snow?

No matter how cold a snow-producing cloud is, if it has a source of water, it can build big snowflakes. >>

02-04-2010 - Earth

What causes a hurricane to move?

Meteorologists have made huge advances in understanding the forces and conditions that determine a hurricane's path. >>

02-04-2010 - Earth

Are there both northern lights and southern lights?

Not nearly as many people see the aurora australis, or southern lights, as do its northern counterpart. >>

02-03-2010 - Earth

Why can't we feel Earth's spin?

As long as Earth spins steadily - and moves at a constant rate in orbit around the sun - you as an earthly passenger move right along with it. >>

02-02-2010 - Space

Can the universe be older than its oldest stars?

White dwarf stars - celestial objects that are slowly cooling - are like a cosmic clock. >>

02-01-2010 - Space

Coincidence that sun and moon seem same size?

Although the sun is about 400 times larger than the moon, it is also about 400 times farther away. So the sun and moon are nearly the same size as seen from Earth. >>

01-28-2010 - Earth

Is it possible to predict earthquakes?

Unfortunately, there is still no way to predict when an earthquake will strike - only where they are most likely to occur. >>

01-25-2010 - Space

Could Earth's gravity capture an asteroid?

It is indeed possible - if an asteroid of an appropriate size passed at just the right speed, and encountered Earth at just the right angle. >>