9 Things you should know about the universe

Jay Pasachoff

The transit of Venus, astronomy’s most rare predictable event, will take place next summer, on June 5, 2012. With the transit and several other astronomical events right around the corner, the Williams Alumni Review asked astronomy department chair Jay Pasachoff what we ought to know about the universe.

1. Hubble changed everything.
2. What looks like empty sky isn’t.
3. Don’t rule out life on other planets.
4. The universe just keeps getting bigger faster.
5. The next frontier is infrared and very, very cold.
6. Pluto’s getting hotter.
7. Astronomy’s rarest predictable phenomenon is just around the corner.
8. Mercury will cross the sun in 2015.
9. This fall and winter are also prime times to see astronomical events.

Go HERE for more info on this article and about astronomer Jay Pasachoff.