Supernova Spotting is for Amateurs

SCIENCE With a simple telescope and camera, a citizen scientist has helped professional astronomers witness the never-before-seen beginnings of a star’s explosive death. (Scientific American) Learn more about supernova baby pictures with our Q&A resource. Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers Toolkit. Discussion Ideas New research describes the “shock breakout phase” of a supernova. What is a supernova? … Continue reading Supernova Spotting is for Amateurs

Supernova Baby Pictures

SCIENCE New observations represent the most complete image of a supernova’s immediate aftermath.  (Washington Post and Ars Technica) Learn a little about supernovas with our introductory resource. Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers Toolkit. Discussion Ideas New research details the immediate aftermath of a supernova. What is a supernova? A supernova is the sudden, bright explosion of a … Continue reading Supernova Baby Pictures

Gorgeous New Galactic ‘Growth Chart’

SCIENCE Astronomers have measured the age of 70,000 stars across the Milky Way and put the results into the world’s largest-ever “age map” of our galaxy. (BBC) Use our hi-res map to dig deeper into the Milky Way. Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers’ Toolkit. This 3-D video embeds new data in a model of a Milky Way-like … Continue reading Gorgeous New Galactic ‘Growth Chart’

Hubble Revisits an Icon

SCIENCE Twenty years ago, the Hubble Space Telescope snapped one of its most iconic images ever. The three towering columns of gas bathed in the light of hot, young stars came to be called the Pillars of Creation—and they showed up on everything from t-shirts to coffee mugs to rugs. Now, to celebrate its 25th anniversary, Hubble has taken a new image of the well-known … Continue reading Hubble Revisits an Icon

Planet Formation Captured in Photo

SCIENCE The clearest image ever taken of planets forming around an infant star has been snapped by the ALMA telescope array in high desert of Chile. (BBC) Use our resources to understand planet formation. Teachers, scroll all the way down for a short list of key resources in our “Teachers’ Toolkit.” Discussion Questions The short BBC article describes a “vast disc of dust and gas” … Continue reading Planet Formation Captured in Photo