Before you start, make sure you have reviewed the Youth Launch Pad.
Once you have chosen a topic from the Road Map above, click on the image to take you to the resources and instructions below. Follow the steps to learn about your chosen topic and create your exhibit, but remember to also follow your educator/caregiver’s direction!
Star Formation / Birth
ViewSpace is a great resource to understand the different types of light used when studying astronomical objects. When using this site, begin with this page to help understand how the website works.
Flight Through Orion Nebula in Visible and Infrared Light
This is a detailed, multi-wavelength visualization of the Orion Nebula stellar nursery. You can also explore a 360 Video version here.
Runtime: 3 Minutes
Stellar Evolution Scavenger Hunt
Eagle, Orion, Trifid, and Lagoon are good star forming nebulas to take images of with MicroObservatory. They are not all visible in the sky all year round, but at least one should be available at any time.
Orion:
Eagle:
Use these templates, which are PowerPoint files, to create your exhibit. Follow the specified guidelines for text and picture boxes.
Be sure to include proper credits for your images. You may include a logo of your program, school, or organization if desired.
Download A Template:
Main Sequence / Adult Life
Star Child (Portugese)
Star Child (Spanish)
There is a beginner "Level 1" and more advanced "Level 2" version of this resource. Do not download the videos from the Level 2 version of the resource.
Where Does the Sun's Energy Come From?
Runtime: 2 Minutes 30 Seconds
Runtime: 1 minute 49 seconds
*Also available in Spanish
Runtime: 2 Minutes 32 Seconds
This is a video of a stellar fusion demonstration with clay. You can also do the demonstration yourself.
Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) Image Database
Use these templates, which are PowerPoint files, to create your exhibit. Follow the specified guidelines for text and picture boxes.
Be sure to include proper credits for your images. You may include a logo of your program, school, or organization if desired.
Download A Template:
Planetary Nebula / Death
Why Is The Name Planetary Nebula Misleading?
What is a Planetary Nebula? (Spanish)
The Glorious End of Stellar Life
Runtime: 2 Minute 11 Seconds
A Planetary Nebula Dissipating (Artist's Impression)
Runtime: 26 seconds
Runtime: 50 seconds
Get up and move to do this activity!
ViewSpace is a great resource for understanding the different types of light used when studying astronomical objects. Start with this page to help you understand how the website works.
The Ring Nebula and Dumbbell Nebula are planetary nebulas that can be observed using MicroObservatory.
White Dwarfs and Planetary Nebula from Chandra
Use these templates, which are PowerPoint files, to create your exhibit. Follow the specified guidelines for text and picture boxes.
Be sure to include proper credits for your images. You may include a logo of your program, school, or organization if desired.
Download A Template:
These resources are more on an intermediate to advanced content and reading level.
Watch: Teeny Tiny Planet Destroyer
Runtime: 2 Minutes
Read: White Dwarfs
There is a basic and an advanced version of this reading. You can select either by clicking "Basic" or "Advanced."
Do: Life Cycle of a Small Star
Get up and move to do this activity!
Supernova Remnants / Death
What is a Supernova? (Spanish)
Learn About Supernovas & Supernova Remnants
This is an advanced resource with a lot of content. Some content may need to be downloaded to view.
Supernovas & Supernova Remnants Image Gallery
If the previous resource is too advanced, explore this image gallery of supernovas and supernova remnants.
ViewSpace is a great resource to understand the different types of light used when studying astronomical objects. When using this site, begin with this page to help understand how the website works.
Think Tank: When Stars Go Boom
Runtime: 3 Minutes
What is a Supernova? (Spanish)
Runtime: 1 Minute 30 Seconds
X-ray Vision Reveals the Insides of Stars
Runtime: 2 Minutes 30 Seconds
Journey Through An Exploded Star
Start by exploring the "Interact" and "Narrated Tour" sections with your educator. Then, freely explore the resource.
Stars exploding? Who would do such a thing? Join Detective Eagle Quark on his investigation of this mystery in this Space Forensics interactive game.
This game takes 1 to 2 hours to play through.
Get up and move to do this activity!
Crab Nebula is a supernova remnant, but it is not always available to take images of throughout the year. If this is your desired target, and it is not available, try finding an image in the archive to process.
Crab Nebula:
Cassiopeia A:
Chandra Reveals the Elementary Nature of Cassiopeia A
Use these templates, which are PowerPoint files, to create your exhibit. Follow the specified guidelines for text and picture boxes.
Be sure to include proper credits for your images. You may include a logo of your program, school, or organization if desired.
Download A Template:
These resources are more on an intermediate to advanced content and reading level.
Read: Neutron Stars
Watch: The Mysterious Afterlife of Stellar Giants
Runtime: 2 Minutes
This video shows a neutron star with a magnetic field. A description of magnetic fields can be found on this page.
Do: Life Cycle of Massive Stars
Get up and move to do this activity!
Black Holes / Final Stage for a Super Massive Star
There is a beginner "Level 1" and more advanced "Level 2" version of this resource. Do not download the videos from the Level 2 version of the resource.
This is an advanced resource with a lot of content. Some content may need to be downloaded to view.
The Truth And Lies About Black Holes
If the previous resource is too advanced, explore this resource instead.
Runtime: 3 Minutes
Runtime: 2 Minutes
A Black Hole in Your Neighborhood
Get up and move to do this activity!
Cyg X-1 and Sagittarius A are black holes that can be observed using MicroObservatory.
Until recently (April 2019), scientists have not been able to capture an image of a black hole. They have only been able to observe the presence of a black hole by the effect it has on its surroundings. Using a multitude of radio telescopes, scientists were able to collect enough data to create the first picture of a black hole.
Because of the lack of actual images of black holes, there are a number of artist renderings available, like the ones in this Chandra Gallery.
Use these templates, which are PowerPoint files, to create your exhibit. Follow the specified guidelines for text and picture boxes.
Be sure to include proper credits for your images. You may include a logo of your program, school, or organization if desired.
Download A Template:
