Astronomy/Space

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Expert: Steven LJ Russo - 3/2/2004


Question
Which constellation is the biggest? Where is the ice lake on the Moon? North pole or south pole? How long does the sunlight needed to reach the Earth?

Answer
Ben:

Your first question cannot really be answered.  A constellation can be either a star pattern in the sky, or an area in the sky which contains a star pattern.  So actually, a constellation with three stars, can actually take up an area that is larger than one with 25 stars.  So there is really no way to say which constellation is the biggest or smallest.

Contrary to what the public has read, there is NO ice on the Moon anywhere.

It takes the Sun's light 8 minutes to reach the Earth.

Steve

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Steven LJ Russo

Expertise

As a space science educator in a planetarium, my work centers around teaching people about the night sky and the solar system. I have a strong background in those areas, plus the history of NASA and spaceflight, and meteorology.

Experience

Experience in the area. I have been an amateur astronomer for 47 years, and have been teachng space science in planetariums for 34 years. For 15 years I was a radio and television meteorologist, and for the past 20 years I have been a space science writer for two newspapers in New York State. I am a member of the Middle Atlantic Planetarium Society and the International Planetarium Society. I have had a number of articles published in several astronomy journals, including "The Constellation" and the "Planetarian". Education/Credentials. I hold a B. S. from Wagner College and an M. S. from State University of New York at Oswego. Awards and Honors. I have been awarded the "Fellows" award from the International Planetarium Society for more than 20 years of continuous service in the planetarium field.

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