Dr. Valerie Rapson
Host, Edge of the Universe; Assistant Professor of Physics and Astronomy at SUNY OneontaDr. Valerie Rapson is an Assistant Professor of Physics and Astronomy at SUNY Oneonta. Dr. Rapson teaches a variety of physics and astronomy courses. She also conducts exoplanet research with students utilizing telescopes at the College Camp Observatory.
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The next total solar eclipse is this Wednesday, August 12, 2026!When the moon passes exactly between and the Sun and Earth, it casts a small shadow back down onto our planet. People standing under the direct shadow get to enjoy a total solar eclipse, while those under the extended shadow only get to see a partial solar eclipse.https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/future-eclipses/ -
Our sun. It’s a small, middle aged star generating tons of energy. And right now it’s in a pretty perfect balance. Every day, the sun fuses hydrogen into helium in its core, and releases the same amount of energy at the surface. -
Astronomers have discovered lots of planets that we call Hot Jupiters. These are gas giant planets outside the solar system that sit extremely close to their star, taking only a few days or weeks to orbit.Read more at- https://www.universetoday.com/articles/jwst-finds-methane-atmosphere-on-temperate-exoplanet -
In late 2025, Astronomers watched with amazement as comet 3I/ATLAS flew through our solar system. This was the third interstellar comet ever detected, and every major telescope in the world was watching. Including the James Webb Space Telescope.Read more at: https://science.nasa.gov/blogs/3iatlas/2026/06/01/nasas-webb-detects-methane-on-interstellar-comet-3i-atlas/ -
Imagine viewing our solar system from above. You see eight planets all traveling in almost circular paths around the sun. Astronomers have discovered thousands of other planetary systems, and in most cases these planets also follow circular paths around their star. But not the exoplanet we call HD80606b. This one is different.Read more at: https://www.space.com/astronomy/exoplanets/james-webb-space-telescope-discovers-extreme-exoplanet-being-roasted-by-its-home-star -
What forms first- a galaxy of stars, gas and dust, or the supermassive black hole that holds it all together? It’s the outer space version of the classic chicken and egg problem, and astronomers think they might finally have the answer.https://science.nasa.gov/missions/webb/nasas-webb-reveals-black-hole-that-formed-before-its-galaxy/ -
As the sun sets and the sky darkens, you may have noticed two bright dots low in the Western sky. That’s Jupiter and Venus. Jupiter is the fainter of the two dots, but it’s actually the largest planet in our solar system.https://www.nasa.gov/centers-and-facilities/goddard/jupiters-great-red-spot-a-swirling-mystery/
