... These colors are not only beautiful, they give us clues to the stars? sizes, ages and life cycle status. ... While stellar life is interesting, stellar death results in many of the objects that amateur astronomers love to observe including planetary nebulae, supernova remnants and black holes. ... Dr. Russell Pinizzotto is currently the Dean of the Faculty of Science and Engineering at Merrimack College in North Andover, MA. ... Copyright (c) Amateur Telescope Makers of Boston, Inc. ...

... Introduction It may seem counterintuitive that X-ray astronomy should give any insights into planetary systems: planets, and their natal protoplanetary disks (PPDs), have temperatures which are far to o co ol (100 - 1500 K) to emit X-rays. ... The resulting X-ray emission gives unique insights into the solar activity, planetary atmospheres, cometary comae, charge exchange physics, and space weather across the Solar System (review by Bhardwa j et al. 2007). ... 2007; Gudel 2007). ... 2007, Planet. ...