|
|
« Fly me to the Moon | UK backs missions to Mars »
Clock this for a regular beat
Astronomers have discovered the most accurate clock in the universe.
It is a pulsating white dwarf star whose flashes of light are so
regular that they lose just one second in 8.9million years.
Observers at McDonald Observatory have been monitoring the
400million-year-old burnt-out star since 1974.
It lies in the constellation of Leo Minor and is one of the oldest
stars in the galaxy.
Their results, published in the latest Astrophysical Journal, will help
scientists learn how stars evolve and die.
Some suggest that the “lighthouse flashes” of pulsars are even more
precise, but they are seen as less stable bodies.
Comments Closed
Award-winning telescope
Are you looking for a portable, quality telescope that finds its own way around the sky? Celestron's NexStar 4 SE has had excellent reviews for its fine optics and automatic "Goto" that just works and won a group test in C5's The Gadget Show. Buy it from Amazon in the U.S.
or click here if in the UK.
Buying a telescope
Skymania offers advice whether you want to buy a new telescope or learn how to use one.
• Orion Best Beginner Telescopes (Affiliate link)
• Looking for a perfect gift for someone? Celestron's SkyMaster 15x70 binoculars will be loved by beginners and advanced amateurs alike.
• Discover space for yourself and do fun science with a telescope. Here is some advice on how to choose a telescope.
• There is a bewildering variety of instruments on sale. Here's our simple guide to the different types of telescope.
• A telescope can make a great birthday present. Here are some pointers to buying a telescope as a gift.
• Orion Best Beginner Telescopes (Affiliate link)
• Looking for a perfect gift for someone? Celestron's SkyMaster 15x70 binoculars will be loved by beginners and advanced amateurs alike.• Discover space for yourself and do fun science with a telescope. Here is some advice on how to choose a telescope.
• There is a bewildering variety of instruments on sale. Here's our simple guide to the different types of telescope.
• A telescope can make a great birthday present. Here are some pointers to buying a telescope as a gift.
