John Weaver's Columns

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What Are Black Holes?
We've all heard about black holes. From science fiction to bizarre news stories and beyond, myths and misconceptions have circulated popular culture since their discovery. But what are they?Before we can answer that question, we need to understa... more
Quasars: The Limits of the Universe
Known now for only a little more than half a century, these mysterious objects have captivated and driven astronomers to explore further from Earth than ever before. Quasars are thought to be the violent centers of the earliest galaxies. Our own Milky ... more
The Oceans of Enceladus - Life in our own solar system?
Earlier this year I wrote an article describing Saturn’s icy moon Enceladus. Recent findings from the Cassini probe, a car-sized spacecraft orbiting the ringed-planet Sa... more
CYGNUS: Swan of the Night Sky
Dominating the summer sky, Cygnus is one of the largest constellations and one of the most recognizable. Comprised of about nine stars, the pattern of Cygnus follows as a swan in flight. Go outside a few hours after dark and look towards the east. You ... more