Learning Targets in Review:
4A
4B
4C
4D: Describe the seven main bands of the electromagnetic spectrum and the use of each in astronomy.
Tour of the Electromagnetic Spectrum. Learn about each band of the EMS and what information astronomers can gather analyzing each wavelength. Click on "Video Tour of the Electromagnetic Spectrum" to view YouTube segments of this 35 minute video.
Cool Cosmos Collection Three short presentations about seeing ALL of the energy coming from the cosmos.
Discovering the Multi-Wavelength Universe activity: Choose your own astronomical object to feature for your presentation in the planetarium. Follow the link for assignment details and useful web sites.
Cool Cosmos Multiwavelength Gallery See objects captured in all regions of the EMS.
A Tour of the Crab Nebula Watch this short video from the Chandra X-Ray Telescope. Why view astronomical objects in multiple wavelengths? isn't it enough to see things in visible light alone?
Chromoscope An interactive tool to view the entire sky in different wavelengths. Toggle between one region of the EM spectrum to another.
4E Describe the properties of mechanical (compression or sound) and electromagnetic waves.
PhET Wave Simulations Explore wavelength, amplitude, and frequency by playing with the following simulations:
Radio Waves and EM Fields, Waves on a String, and Microwaves. How do sound waves work? Explore the Sound simulation!
Multiwavelength Universe: Online Activity From the Herschel Space Observatory web site. The aim of this activity is to match images of an astronomical object, observed in different wavelengths, with the object's visible image.
Multiwavelength Astronomy A collection of lessons about multiwavelength astronomy from the University of Chicago. Fantastic resource! Lots of images and animations.
Investigating Astronomy Home Page The home page for the text book we are considering for our Astronomy course.
Multiwavelength Centarus A Visit this site to see full color images of galaxy Centaurus A. This is part of "FYI: Astronomical Objects in Different Types of EMR", pages 226-228 of Investigating Astronomy. More information about what these multiwavelength images tell astronomers can be found at the Chandra X-Ray Observatory site.
Atmospheric Windows Why must telescopes observing in certain wavelengths be placed above Earth's atmosphere? Why can't infrared telescopes be built at sea level? Carefully analyze the diagrams and read the text found on this web page hosted by the California Institute of Technology.
Tour of the Electromagnetic Spectrum Booklet Download this pdf booklet to your computer. Use it to complete page one of the "EMS Waves of Energy" assignment.
Tour of the Electromagnetic Spectrum. Learn about each band of the EMS and what information astronomers can gather analyzing each wavelength. Click on "Video Tour of the Electromagnetic Spectrum" to view YouTube segments of this 35 minute video.
NASA Tour of the Electromagnetic Spectrum Learn about each band of the the EMS by clicking on each wavelength. Find comparitive objects, uses in everyday life and astronomy for the entire EMS.
NASA EMS Wavelength Size Comparison Just how small is a gamma ray? How big are radio waves. Use the diagram on this site to find objects that match sizes of each band of the EMS.
Telescopes from the Ground Up . From Galileo to the Hubble Space Telescope and beyond--a detailed look at the evolution of the primary tool of astronomers.
The Science Basic Concepts Behind Telescopes What do telescopes do? How is refraction different from reflection? Why do stars twinkle? What are NASA's "Great Observatories" all about? Many more answers to other questions as well can be found by linking from this site hosted by the Space Telescope Science Institute--the people that drive the Hubble!
NASA's Great Observatories Use this link to learn more about each of NASA's "Great Observatories". Follow the link to one of the telescope's home page.
Space Telescope Science Institute A user friendly resource from the folks that operate the Hubble Space Telescope.
James Webb Space Telescope The next great optical observatory is being constructed now! Watch this animation to see how a giant, 8 meter diameter reflecting telescope unfolds in space after being deployed by a rocket.
Telescope Animation Try adjusting the focus, changing apetures, and view different objects with this virtual telescope.
Look through a telescope video Two piece of glass are all that are required. Throw in a video camera and you can look through a telescope on a lawn in Sydney, Australia.
Telescopes--an animation From the Northern Stars Planetarium. Buying hints, calculating magnification, and the basics of amateur telescopes. Includes animations of how refractors and reflectors work.
The World's Largest Optical Telescopes Visit this site to link to web sites of the largest telescopes on the planet. Checkout telescopes now under construction or in planning stages at the bottom.
Adaptive Optics How can the twinkling of stars be eliminated--without going into space? By using adaptive optics on telescopes. Be sure to download the short Quicktime movie to see AO at work.
The Size of Telescopes Compare the size of primary objectives from the 1800's to telescopes currently planned.
Thirty Meter Telescope What will be the largest optical telescope is planned for the summit of Mauna Kea. Watch this overview of the TMT. Why build this telescope? Why build it on Mauna Kea?
Make your own telescope images! Take control of a Observing with NASA Micro Observatory Network telescope, download the software, and create your own images for free!
Videos from the European Southern Observatory Many topics regarding light and telescopes.
Filming the Speed of Light at 10 Trillion Frames per Second From the Slow Mo Guys. Watch a pulse of light as it moves through a water bottle. Amazing!