SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Measuring Earth

Measuring Earth

The question “How do you weigh a planet suspended in space without a cosmic scale?” seems absurd at first glance. Yet scientists have precisely calculated Earth’s mass at 5.972 × 1024 kg through ingenious physics experiments spanning centuries. Unlike calculating Earth’s diameter or circumference—measurable through geometry and astronomy—determining mass requires understanding gravitational interactions between Earth…

Build Planetary Transit Simulator

Build Planetary Transit Simulator

Building your own planetary transit simulator provides unparalleled insight into celestial mechanics while costing far less than commercial astronomy tools. These ingenious devices visually demonstrate how planets cross between Earth and distant stars, a phenomenon fundamental to modern exoplanet detection methods pioneered by missions like NASA’s Kepler Space Telescope. With readily available materials and basic…