Tom Whiting - Space Exploration - Space/Astronomy - Science

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Expert Profile: Tom Whiting

Expertise: I can answer most basic questions about space flight and planetary exploration from an astronomy standpoint, but not from a computer or electronics standpoint. (No astrology questions, please)!

Experience in the area
Astronomy, my main catagory, has been my hobby and pastime for over 50 years. Taught astronomy and meteorology at the University level for over 13 years.

Organizations
President- Erie County Mobile Observers Group Also on allexperts.com astronomy catagory for over 4 years.

Publications
Astronomy Technology Today and also wrote the "Over Erie Skies" column in our local newspaper for 11 years.

Education/Credentials
BS Metallurgical Engineering Grove City College, PA Master's Degree, Gannon University, Erie, PA Also retired USAF pilot, 20 years.

Awards and Honors
Discoverer of the mini-coathanger asterism in Ursa Minor; also the mini-dipper asterism up in the bowl of the Little Dipper.

Ask a Question	View Past Answers	View Ratings

What do you like about this subject? We are witnesses to the beginning of the space age, October 4, 1957 until the present. This activity will eventually lead to both interplanetary flight over the next century, followed by interstellar flight in the 22nd century. But our generation, the generation of the 1950's....gave space exploration it's initial start.

Something interesting about this subject that others may not know: 97% of this Universe is still hydrogen and helium left over from the Big Bang; only 3% are "heavies" from Lithium (3) to Uranium (92). Perhaps we are lucky to be here this 'early' under those circumstances. In addition, 13.7 billion years ago, after Big Bang, is starting to sound like a very short time frame in the total lifespan of our Universe.

Average Ratings
Prestige Points: 980
Knowledge	9.87 Best of the best
Clarity of Response	9.90 Best of the best
Timeliness	9.71 Best of the best
Politeness	9.71 Best of the best
Number Of Questions (in Past 24 Hours)		0
Max Questions to be Asked (in 24 Hour period)		10
Total Questions (since joining AllExperts)		84

Recent Reviews from Users

Knowl	Clarity	Time	Politeness	Date
10	10	10	10	09/05/08
10	10	10	10	08/21/08
10	10	10	10	08/13/08
10	10	10	10	08/10/08
10	10	10	10	07/29/08

User Comments

Thank you very much for youre answer Tom. Take care.
(Gavin on 09/05/08)

Tom, Thank you very very much for your timely and thorough response. I realliy apreciate it. Terrie
(Terrie on 08/21/08)

Fantastic, very fast response and his answer really clarified my understanding of some rather complex and abstract ideas.
(Simon on 08/13/08)

thanks.one answer creates another 20 questions
(Tim on 08/10/08)

View All Comments

Ask a Question	View Past Answers	View Ratings

Recent Answers from Tom Whiting

2008-11-16 Fleck of Paint: Hi Hannah, Because, recall your basic kinetic energy formula, KE = 1/2 m v squared. So in space, where everything is moving relative to everything else, and sometimes at high speeds of nearly one...

2008-10-07 space: Hi Abby, Pluto, currently the 2nd largest asteroid in the Kuiper Asteroid Belt (Eris is bigger)...orbits the sun at about 3.7 billion miles, whereas the first planet inward from the Kuiper Belt is Neptune...

2008-08-31 my questions: Hi Gavin, The reason you don't see any stars in most of the pictures of the astronauts, either on the lunar surface or out in space, is because stars require at least a short time exposure (5 or 10...

2008-08-21 material used in astronaut helmets: Hi Terrie, A very thin layer of gold (24 Kt is pure gold) is electroplated onto the inside helmet visor to prevent harmful solar radiation (heat) from entering thru the visor, to protect the eyes. See...

2008-08-18 Sun vs. Stars: Hi Brian, The sun is not at the center of our Universe, or even our galaxy, the Milky Way. It is in the center of our Solar System. We have to keep our terminology straight here. There is no special...