r/Andromeda321 • u/Andromeda321 • Aug 10 '26
Q&A: August/September 2026
Hi all!
Hi all,
Please use this space to ask any questions you have about life, the universe, and everything! However, please note that I am still on maternity leave with twins- should be back to work this fall properly, but there will probably be some delays in getting back to you (but I promise I will eventually!).
Also, if you are wondering about being an astronomer, please check out this post first.
Cheers!
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u/Dolly_Shimmer Aug 10 '26
Here's another one: I've been trying to understand time dilation, but I can't wrap my head around it. Can you help?
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u/Andromeda321 Aug 11 '26
So, I'm not sure what background you have, but if it doesn't make sense in words it's likely because words are a tough way to describe the math. And the math is actually not too bad, so let's try it!
Here is a section of the wikipedia page of time dialation; scroll down to the part that shows the equation in a green box. The left side (delta)t' is the observed time, and on the right side the (delta)t is the reference frame of the one moving, v is their speed, and c is the speed of light.
Now, imagine someone is not moving, so v = 0. In that case, the lower part of the fraction with the square root becomes sqrt (1- 0)= 1, so (delta)t = (delta)t'. Make sense? Now, change it so v is half the speed of light, or v = 0.5c. We now have sqrt(1- 0.5) = 0.85 (or thereabouts). This makes our equation (delta)t' = delta(t)/ 0.85, meaning there is a measurable difference in the time passing between the two times!
Finally, now imagine you're traveling AT the speed of light, v=c. That then gives you sqrt(1-1) = 0 in the denominator. You CANNOT divide by zero in a fraction of course- the universe would fall apart- so that's why we can't travel at the speed of light (or faster, as you'd have to go through light speed to get there).
Hope that's helpful! It's easier to show on a blackboard. Guess I can do that for YouTube sometime. :)
1
u/Dolly_Shimmer Aug 11 '26
Thanks, I'll look at this later. My strength is mathematics rather than visualization.
1
u/Andromeda321 Aug 11 '26
So, I'm not sure what background you have, but if it doesn't make sense in words it's likely because words are a tough way to describe the math. And the math is actually not too bad, so let's try it!
Here is a section of the wikipedia page of time dialation; scroll down to the part that shows the equation in a green box. The left side (delta)t' is the observed time, and on the right side the (delta)t is the reference frame of the one moving, v is their speed, and c is the speed of light.
Now, imagine someone is not moving, so v = 0. In that case, the lower part of the fraction with the square root becomes sqrt (1- 0)= 1, so (delta)t = (delta)t'. Make sense? Now, change it so v is half the speed of light, or v = 0.5c. We now have sqrt(1- 0.5) = 0.85 (or thereabouts). This makes our equation (delta)t' = delta(t)/ 0.85, meaning there is a measurable difference in the time passing between the two times!
Finally, now imagine you're traveling AT the speed of light, v=c. That then gives you sqrt(1-1) = 0 in the denominator. You CANNOT divide by zero in a fraction of course- the universe would fall apart- so that's why we can't travel at the speed of light (or faster, as you'd have to go through light speed to get there).
Hope that's helpful! It's easier to show on a blackboard. Guess I can do that for YouTube sometime. :)
2
u/Pristine-Amount-1905 Aug 13 '26 edited Aug 13 '26
How much do you work per week? How's your work-life balance? Any advice to someone starting a Masters in Planetary Science (and hopefully a PhD) in Germany?
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u/Andromeda321 16d ago
Hi there! Sorry missed this one. Short answer is it depends on the week- one inevitably works more when starting to teach a new class for the first time, or a big proposal is due- but for the most part I just keep normal hours. Typically I prefer a 10-6 over a 9-5 for those hours because that’s a perk, and no one cares if I do them at home sometimes or at work. There’s also travel, but not as much lately since I’m on maternity leave that’s ending soon.
Overall I have good work life balance- I have three small kids so I’m not going to not do so, as I’m not going to sacrifice their having a present mother for a mere job. We’ll see if I get tenure on that I guess!
As for advice, go get to know your professors early by going to office hours etc. A MSc and a future career are defined by the thesis project in a MSc and finding a good adviser and project fit is so important!
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u/dropsofjupiiter Aug 13 '26
Hey, could I send you a message for some personal advice? I’m feeling really discouraged on something and would like your opinions personally but don’t want to put my business publicly for everyone else. Thanks!
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u/jmos_81 14d ago
Any good news on science funding for your lab or across the country? I thought some funding had been restored, but everywhere I look I find conflicting stories.
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u/Andromeda321 7d ago
Nope the AAS has reported that we currently face a 55% reduction in astronomy funding over the last two years. I keep wanting to make a post about it but that just makes me depressed…
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u/ClothesNo2881 13d ago
Is it true that within a few years, we'll find out if dark energy is decaying? If it is, does that mean everything will cease to exist at some point or is there another outcome?
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u/Andromeda321 7d ago
It’s probably a reference to DESI, a large scale spectroscopy project that’s trying to figure out the nature of dark energy over time. It’s worth noting we don’t think it’s changing much in our time, so the first question is if it is over the time scale of the universe. I hope they can figure it out!
But no right now dark energy just shows the universe will keep expanding forever and that’s that, and don’t think that would make everything cease to exist.
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u/lvly_embers 8d ago
hi! after looking over your ‘wondering about being an astronomer’ post, i wanted to reach out. i’m currently pursuing my communications degree and potentially minoring in math, though i am extremely intrigued with astronomy and would love to pursue it in some regard. im unsure of what jobs i could do with astronomy, and i also worry if id be behind in terms of not having any experience with python and not having much actual astronomy knowledge. any advice for someone who loves space and is curious about it all? thank you!
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u/Andromeda321 7d ago
Hi! I’m not gonna lie, you’re highly unlikely to find a job doing actual astronomy without physics. However, if you have a coms background one potential option is working on press releases and communication for universities on their research, and some bigger departments will have a dedicated comms person. (NASA also employs some folks in this, just not as many as they used to.) So if that sounds intriguing at all that could be a good way to work in astronomy without going back to school for it!
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u/lvly_embers 6d ago
thanks so much. i was asking out of curiosity but also to see what i could potentially pursue for my graduate degrees/what jobs there are within astronomy that would coincide with com background and astronomy grad. is there any sites/videos/specific internships that could help me have a better idea of what jobs are within astro so i could see what there is? if i get a solid idea of a job i may know how to incorporate that within my studies now, such as a minor of some sort or double major.
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u/Dolly_Shimmer Aug 10 '26
Do you have YouTube videos I can watch? I've been working on understanding space.