Of the grand order of folio leviathans, the Sperm Whale and the Right Whale are by far the most noteworthy. They are the only whales regularly hunted by man. To the Nantucketer, they present the two extremes of all the known varieties of the whale. As the external difference between them is mainly observable in their heads; and as a head of each is this moment hanging from the Pequod's side.
Type and hit ENTER
Exploring the Universe
with Andrew Fraknoi
The history of water on Mars allows us to wonder if the planet ever had life.
July 13, 2026
June 21 is not just father's day but the day of the summer solstice
June 18, 2026
I hope you are allowing the trip four humans are taking around the Moon to distract you a bit from all the problems we are facing down here on Earth! Artemis II is mostly designed to test the engineering of the Orion spacecraft and all the systems that keep humans alive. The science-fiction writer in me is excited to see humans returning to space; the scientist in me knows that …
April 6, 2026
I am tickled to report that The Worlds Within magazine has just published my science-fiction story “Who Speaks for Earth.” It concerns a Congressional hearing about a future President, who had to bomb a radio telescope owned by a religious group that insisted on answering an alien message Earth received without consulting anyone else. You can see it at: https://theworldswithin.net/who-speaks-for-earth/ Scroll down from the cover image to …
March 21, 2026
Information on the total eclipse of the Moon coming the morning of March 3
February 24, 2026
A delightful new James Webb Space Telescope image of a massive galaxy cluster
January 23, 2026
We review what's coming in the sky and in space exploration for 2026
January 10, 2026
Dec. 21 is the winter solstice. We explain what this means and how the seasons come about.
December 18, 2025
I am teaching a new Zoom course on the mysterious world of the atom, with lots of visuals and no math. It’s a six-week class for retired people: Join me for a richly illustrated tour of the atomic world that lies beneath our everyday conception of reality. Using historical anecdotes, analogies from everyday life, thought experiments, and touches of humor, we’ll explore atomic theory from the Greeks to today, and …
September 20, 2025
For those of you with a deeper interest in astronomy and how we learn about the universe, this may be of interest. There is a good discount if you register before Aug. 10. The Astronomical Society of the Pacific Presents: Eyes on the Cosmos: Cutting Edge Instruments and Ideas in Astronomy On Zoom, August 21, 2025 A non-technical symposium for astronomy educators, astronomy enthusiasts, and students at all levels. We …
August 7, 2025
My Blog - Andrew Fraknoi - Astronomy Lectures - Astronomy Education Resources