FREE ESSAY ON SKY & TELESCOPE

SKY & TELESCOPE

Patrick Sullivan
2nd hour Astronomy
Mr. Wessling
Magazine Report
Sky & Telescope
The Future of the Universe
The magazine Sky & Telescope is a very helpful magazine for beginning and amateur
astronomers. The magazine contains information on new star clusters, constellations,
galaxies, and even possible new planets. It gives a more in-depth look at what's going on
outside our galaxy. This magazine is also helpful in showing astronomers new ways to look
at stars. Certain articles can help with finding focal points, which elements of the
spectrum to use to view certain stars, and how to get the best photo images as possible.

Sky & Telescope also offers a wide range of different pictures for those who don't have
telescopes. They always seem to find some of the best pictures to use in their magazine.
Sky & Telescope has even reached the web, at www.skypub.com, where you can find the very
latest in new galaxies and tools to help see these new constellations. It is also a good
way to communicate with fellow astronomers and cosmologists. 
If you're having trouble finding out the latest missions in Space Exploration, you can go
to Sky & Telescope to find out. There is a monthly article on the latest missions and
findings, for those who are interested.
The article I researched explained the possible Future of the Universe.
At the beginning, it explains the different possible types of universe: flat, closed, and
open. A closed universe, caused theoretically by the Big Bang Theory, will make the
universe collapse on itself over a period of time. An open universe can keep expanding,
because there are no barriers to make it collapse on itself like a closed universe. The
flat universe may keep expanding, but it will be at such a slow rate that it will seem to
approach a standstill.
The article is explained more easily through a cosmic time line. The age of the universe
starts with the Big Bang then moves to the Inflation era, through new galaxies and
clusters to the end of inflation. When the universe started, it was full of high potent
energy and heat, so it had to expand. This in turn created new universes. The next era,
the radiation-dominated era, was caused by the high energy and inflation. Over time, the
radiation decreased from the mass of the universe, and stars were created. This brought
the Stelliferous era. This is when the Milky Way was formed along with many other
galaxies. 
Next comes the Degenerate and Black Hole era. These are the eras where the planets are
pulled out of their orbits, stars are turned into white dwarfs, and the black holes turn
the universe inside out. Most galaxies will be crushed, and the only things left will be
the black holes. After time passes, the black holes will evaporate, leaving nothing but
empty space.
Bibliography
Bibliography
Adams, Fred C., and Laughlin, Gregory. Sky & Telescope. August 1998, pages 32-39. Sky
Publishing Corporation, 1998.