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Supernovae explosions end the lives of millions of stars. U of M astronomy professors Kris Davidson and Roberta Humphreys study very massive stars that experience violent outbursts that may rival supernovae in brightness, but survive the explosion. These "imposters" are more mysterious than real supernovae.
Every mass--be it an apple or the sun--distorts space and time, explains Physics and Astronomy professor Serge Rudaz. Gravity, he says, is the manifestation of that distortion.
This oft-posed question is somewhat nonsensical to Big Bang theorists, says Big Bang expert Keith Olive. That's because, according to their scientific analysis, the Big Bang was the event that created both space and time. Therefore, there was no "around here" and no "before" until the Big Bang occurred.
Continue reading "What was going on around here before the Big Bang?" »
The odds are "definitely not zero" and are potentially quite high, according to University astronomy professor Charles "Chick" Woodward. Additionally, the odds are on the rise, he says, as scientists apply new information to an equation developed in the 1960s to answer just this question.
Continue reading "What are the chances of intelligent life in outer space?" »
Solid matter will never travel at the speed of light, according to University physics professor Keith Olive.
Continue reading "Will solid matter ever be able to travel at the speed of light?" »
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