Astronomy
Part of the Collintell Alliance Compendium of Exploration — return to index.
General Discussion
The Cosmos
A gateway to the mysteries of the universe unfolding through rigorous inquiry. The latest astronomical discoveries, research implications, and the passion for the night sky — from black holes and dark matter to the latest exoplanet finds.
Deep Space Astrophotography
Andromeda Galaxy
Our galactic neighbor offers a breathtaking glimpse into the vastness of the universe. Astrophotography experiences, the science behind Andromeda's relationship with the Milky Way, and the potential future collision between the two systems.
The Milky Way
A celestial ribbon of light arcing across the night sky. Preferred locations and times, ideal camera settings, lenses, and tracking equipment for photographing our galactic home.
Exoplanets
Cutting-edge techniques at the frontier of astrophotography — direct imaging, transit photometry, and radial velocity methods for glimpsing distant worlds.
Nebulae
The vibrant canvases of the cosmos where stars are born. Emission, reflection, planetary, and dark nebulae — from the Orion Nebula to the Helix Nebula.
NASA & JPL
NASA Missions
Humanity's journey beyond Earth through mission highlights, deep dives into space phenomena, and documentation of ongoing exploration efforts.
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
JPL's latest projects: rovers exploring Mars, probes venturing into the outer solar system, and the engineering driving modern space exploration.
Space Missions
Past, present, and future missions — crewed and robotic — from Apollo's Moon landings to the Voyager probes' grand tour of the solar system.
International Space Station
Daily life aboard the ISS, microgravity research from biology to materials science, and contributions to future deep-space mission planning.
Mars
Rover Missions
Tracking Curiosity and Perseverance as they reveal Mars's ancient history, geology, and the tantalizing evidence of past habitability.
Colonization Plans
Engineering challenges, resource utilization, bioengineered habitats, and the ethical dimensions of establishing a human presence on Mars.
Terraforming Mars
Long-range proposals for planetary-scale engineering and the scientific feasibility of transforming Mars for sustained human habitation.