About Paul A. Heckert, Ph.D.

Paul A. Heckert, Ph.D. is a professor of physics and astronomy at Western Carolina University with over 30 years experience teaching college level physics and astronomy. He has a Ph.D. in physics specializing in observational astronomy. His astronomical research has led to over 60 published articles in journals such as Astronomical Journal, Astronomy and Astrophysics, Astrophysical Journal, and The Information Bulletin on Variable Stars.

Dr. Heckert's current research concentrates on variable stars, but he has also done work on star formation and quasars.

Astronomers Discover Rare Triple Quasar System

March 18, 2013 by Paul A. Heckert, Ph.D. Leave a Comment

Telescopes at European Southern Observatory's La Silla site, which includes the New Technology Telescope Image Credit: Iztok Boncina/ESO Creative Commons License.

Astronomers measured red shift to determine the distances between the stars of the triple quasar, and believe that the group may be the beginnings of a galaxy merger.

Pages: 1 2

Filed Under: Astronomy, Headlines

Comet Pan-STARRS Visible in Northern Hemisphere Starting March 12

March 7, 2013 by Paul A. Heckert, Ph.D. 2 Comments

Comet Pan-STARRS will be visible in the Northern Hemisphere starting on the 12th of March, until the end of the month – but will not pass close enough to Earth to cause any harm.

Pages: 1 2

Filed Under: Astronomy, Headlines

The Cavendish Experiment To Measure the Gravitational Constant, G

December 21, 2012 by Paul A. Heckert, Ph.D. Leave a Comment

Newton's law of universal gravity. Image by DNA-Dennis

Reader’s question: How can we use the Cavendish experiment help us determine G, the gravitational constant, to measure the mass of the Earth?

Pages: 1 2

Filed Under: Ask the Expert, Headlines, Physics

Expansion of the Universe and Light Travel-Time from Distant Galaxies

December 19, 2012 by Paul A. Heckert, Ph.D. Leave a Comment

The Andromeda Galaxy Image Credit: Kitt Peak National Observatory.

The universe is expanding. Light from distant galaxies travels toward us even as the galaxies travel away from us; making light’s total travel time longer.

Pages: 1 2

Filed Under: Ask the Expert, Astronomy, Headlines

Are There Dark Matter Black Holes?

November 7, 2012 by Paul A. Heckert, Ph.D. 3 Comments

Artist's conception of the distribution of dark matter in the halo surrounding the Milky Way Galaxy. Image Credit: ESO/L. Calçada, Creative Commons License

What is the relationship between dark matter and black holes? Dr. Paul Heckert explains MACHOs and WIMPs in the universe.

Filed Under: Astronomy

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Using Social Science to Improve Your Health. Image by Gina Barrett Putt

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About Paul A. Heckert, Ph.D.

Astronomers Discover Rare Triple Quasar System

Comet Pan-STARRS Visible in Northern Hemisphere Starting March 12

The Cavendish Experiment To Measure the Gravitational Constant, G

Expansion of the Universe and Light Travel-Time from Distant Galaxies

Are There Dark Matter Black Holes?

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