How Stars are Born
By Riley
Stars are born in a very odd way. Other stars in the universe produce these gases to help form more stars and galaxies. Gravity pushes those gases together into one spot and when it gets really hot and there is an explosion and a star appears. In a human lifetime, humans can’t see a star be born because it take millions of years to create a star and they are so for away and unpredictable, you don’t know where to look.
How Stars Evolve
For a portion of a star’s life, it shines thermonuclear fusion of hydrogen into helium into the star’s core. Releasing energy that radiates out into outer space. When the hydrogen reaches the core the star in exhausted. The star creates elements that weigh more than helium and that is called stellar nucleosynthesis. For some stars, they have supernova nucleosynthesis and that is when they explode. When the stars are done with that process the astronomers can see how old it is or how much metallicity it has (Chemical composition). Many other properties like luminosity and spectrum.
Names of Stars
Some astronomers name stars of how bright they are just like the Sun, or how low they are like Alioth the star. There are many stars that have names like Hamal (Ram), Sheratan (The two signs), Mesarthim (Servants), and protein (Little belly). etc. Those are all stars that we see at night. Stars do rotate around different planets or even other stars, so every night you look up at the sky to see a star it would not be in the same exact place. Also, stars are just like the sun they can have different planets orbiting around them. They can also be as bright as the sun but may have different gases.
Interesting fact, bright stars are farther away and low stars are closer to the Earth. Stars are very interesting and fun to learn. When star’s orbit gets close to each other the gravity interaction has a significant impact on the star’s evolution. See how interesting all that is. Stars are very important to us because we get to learn new gases and learn more about our universe.
References
Stars. Wikipedia. Retrieved January 21, 2016 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star
Stars. Nasa Science. Retrieved January 25, 2016 http://science.nasa.gov/astrophysics/focus-areas/how-do-stars-form-and-evolve/
Fetzer, S. Scott. World and Space, Retrieved January 28, 2016
World and Space
How Stars Evolve
For a portion of a star’s life, it shines thermonuclear fusion of hydrogen into helium into the star’s core. Releasing energy that radiates out into outer space. When the hydrogen reaches the core the star in exhausted. The star creates elements that weigh more than helium and that is called stellar nucleosynthesis. For some stars, they have supernova nucleosynthesis and that is when they explode. When the stars are done with that process the astronomers can see how old it is or how much metallicity it has (Chemical composition). Many other properties like luminosity and spectrum.
Names of Stars
Some astronomers name stars of how bright they are just like the Sun, or how low they are like Alioth the star. There are many stars that have names like Hamal (Ram), Sheratan (The two signs), Mesarthim (Servants), and protein (Little belly). etc. Those are all stars that we see at night. Stars do rotate around different planets or even other stars, so every night you look up at the sky to see a star it would not be in the same exact place. Also, stars are just like the sun they can have different planets orbiting around them. They can also be as bright as the sun but may have different gases.
Interesting fact, bright stars are farther away and low stars are closer to the Earth. Stars are very interesting and fun to learn. When star’s orbit gets close to each other the gravity interaction has a significant impact on the star’s evolution. See how interesting all that is. Stars are very important to us because we get to learn new gases and learn more about our universe.
References
Stars. Wikipedia. Retrieved January 21, 2016 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star
Stars. Nasa Science. Retrieved January 25, 2016 http://science.nasa.gov/astrophysics/focus-areas/how-do-stars-form-and-evolve/
Fetzer, S. Scott. World and Space, Retrieved January 28, 2016
World and Space
Halley’s Comet
By Katie K.
It was the year of 1682 when Edmond Halley would see and take interest in the comet later known as Halley’s Comet. Edmond wondered if the comet would come back again and if it did, when? For the next 20 or so years Edmond Halley would try to figure out when the comet, later to be known as Halley’s Comet, would return. Would this comet return? When would it return? Find out in the following paragraphs.
Edmond Halley
Who was Edmond Halley? What does he have to do with Halley’s Comet? Edmond Halley was the researcher who studied Halley’s Comet for years. He was a scientist. He ended up studying it for about 20 years before he came to a conclusion, or an estimation, that he would name the comet after him. Unfortunately, Edmond died in the year of 1742 and he never saw the comet’s return. Edmond Halley’s discovery allowed us to be there to see the comet’s return.
The Comet’s Return
Did the comet return? When did it return? Edmond estimated the comet to come back in 75 to 76 years. Then, when the year came around that Edmond had estimated it to come back, on Christmas Day, the comet returned. Halley had been right. In honor of Edmond Halley people named it Halley’s Comet. We now know it returns every 75 to 76 years. Edmond was not the first one to see the comet though. The earliest time the comet was believed to be spotted was by the Chinese in 240 BC. They thought it to be a sign of bad luck or disaster. People who have seen Halley’s Comet probably saw a tail following the comet when it was streaking across the sky. Do you know the Ita Aquarids meteor shower? That meteor shower is made of derbies left from Halley’s Comet.
Edmond Halley
Who was Edmond Halley? What does he have to do with Halley’s Comet? Edmond Halley was the researcher who studied Halley’s Comet for years. He was a scientist. He ended up studying it for about 20 years before he came to a conclusion, or an estimation, that he would name the comet after him. Unfortunately, Edmond died in the year of 1742 and he never saw the comet’s return. Edmond Halley’s discovery allowed us to be there to see the comet’s return.
The Comet’s Return
Did the comet return? When did it return? Edmond estimated the comet to come back in 75 to 76 years. Then, when the year came around that Edmond had estimated it to come back, on Christmas Day, the comet returned. Halley had been right. In honor of Edmond Halley people named it Halley’s Comet. We now know it returns every 75 to 76 years. Edmond was not the first one to see the comet though. The earliest time the comet was believed to be spotted was by the Chinese in 240 BC. They thought it to be a sign of bad luck or disaster. People who have seen Halley’s Comet probably saw a tail following the comet when it was streaking across the sky. Do you know the Ita Aquarids meteor shower? That meteor shower is made of derbies left from Halley’s Comet.
Halley’s Comet, there’s still a lot to learn
Some people are lucky enough to see Halley’s Comet flying across the sky. Some take pictures for those who are less fortunate not to see the comet. Now you know how Halley’s Comet got it’s name and when it returns, but we still do not know everything about this comet. Halley’s Comet is is being researched on and maybe one day we will find out where it came from and how it was brought into an orbit. Who knows, maybe one day you will see the comet too and when you do, you might remember the people who saw it before you and who studied it. Halley’s Comet is one of the other wondrous things about space.
Some people are lucky enough to see Halley’s Comet flying across the sky. Some take pictures for those who are less fortunate not to see the comet. Now you know how Halley’s Comet got it’s name and when it returns, but we still do not know everything about this comet. Halley’s Comet is is being researched on and maybe one day we will find out where it came from and how it was brought into an orbit. Who knows, maybe one day you will see the comet too and when you do, you might remember the people who saw it before you and who studied it. Halley’s Comet is one of the other wondrous things about space.
References
Josepha Sherman. SPACE Asteroids, meteors, and Comets.
Ridpath, I. The History of Comet Halley. Retrieved February second, 2016
Website:http://www.ianridpath.com/halley/halley6.htm
Lavender. G. Halley’s Comet: A Comet’s ‘Tail’. Retrieved February second, 2016
Website:http://www.kidsastronomy.com/Halleys_comet_article.php
Phillips, T. Dr. Published Mayfirst 2015. Meteors from Comet Halley. Retrieved February first, 2016.
Website: http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2015/01may_halleyids/
Ridpath, I. The History of Comet Halley. Retrieved February second, 2016
Website:http://www.ianridpath.com/halley/halley6.htm
Lavender. G. Halley’s Comet: A Comet’s ‘Tail’. Retrieved February second, 2016
Website:http://www.kidsastronomy.com/Halleys_comet_article.php
Phillips, T. Dr. Published Mayfirst 2015. Meteors from Comet Halley. Retrieved February first, 2016.
Website: http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2015/01may_halleyids/
Constellations
By Sydney
The night sky was as peaceful as the ocean waves. Macy took a deep breath while she watched the stars twinkle. Then Macy thought about what types of stars there were in the sky. Macy had a great idea and that idea was, to make her topic be about stars. But, that was when she thought of the one girl in her class who was doing her topic about stars, and she knew she couldn’t do her topic about stars. So, Macy kept thinking and the idea of stars led to the idea of constellations. She made sure no one else in her class was doing their topic on constellations, so with her thought ending on a happy note, she asked her mother sitting beside her if she knew anything about constellations. Macy’s mom only said that she knew there were many of them and that they got their names from the ancient Greeks.
With only hearing a little bit of information, Macy jumped up and ran into the house and sat in the chair with the computer in front of her. After a few of days of Macy’s research, Macy had made her report and had given it to her teacher. But, her teacher started calling up names of the children in class and Macy realized that she had forgotten that everyone in the class would be presenting their report on the topic they had chosen. So, when Macy had heard her name, she walked slowly up to the front of the class and read her report aloud. The typed report said:
With only hearing a little bit of information, Macy jumped up and ran into the house and sat in the chair with the computer in front of her. After a few of days of Macy’s research, Macy had made her report and had given it to her teacher. But, her teacher started calling up names of the children in class and Macy realized that she had forgotten that everyone in the class would be presenting their report on the topic they had chosen. So, when Macy had heard her name, she walked slowly up to the front of the class and read her report aloud. The typed report said:
Constellations
By Macy
When, Why, and Who named the Constellations?
The constellations began in the middle ages thousands of years ago. The Greeks had made up some stories or myths behind the constellations. A myth told by the Greeks, is when Scorpius the scorpion (a constellation) stung Orion the hunter (also a constellation) with his tail. Orion fled to the sea to escape. This is why the constellation Orion sets in the sky while Scorpius rises. The Greeks had also thought of names for the constellations we see today. The Greeks named the constellations after the objects they saw on earth. For instance, the well-known Big Dipper got it’s name from when the Greeks got water from a pail (the Big Dipper). They also used names from Greek Gods and Goddesses. Such as Venus, Mercury, and Jupiter. We still use the constellation’s Latin names given to them today.
What is a Constellation and Who Studies Them?
There are only 88 modern constellations. A constellation is a picture made up of stars. An astronomer is a person who studies the sky. So they study constellations. Astronomers use telescopes to study stars, galaxies, planets, constellations, and the moon and sun. Some major constellations are: Aries, Cancer, Canis Major, Cetus, Borealis, Draco, Gemini, Leo, Orion, Scorpius, Ursa Major, Ursa Minor, and Vigro.
Do Constellations Change Over Time?
When I researched, I found two totally different informational texts. One said that constellations change over time, and the other one said that constellations stay the same. So, I don’t really know which one is correct.
What is a Star Map and Can You See The Same Constellations In Both Hemispheres?
A star map is a map where it shows where the constellations are and their names. If you were to look up at the sky at night and see a constellation, the people in the southern hemisphere wouldn’t be able to see the constellation you are seeing. Which means, you aren’t able to see the constellation that a person is seeing in the southern hemisphere.
Fun Facts
The largest constellation is Hydra. The smallest constellation is the Southern Cross. The Southern Cross is on the Australian flag. Sometimes people think that Sirius is a constellation, but it is just a really bright star. It is the brightest star in the sky. You can find this bright star in Canis Major.
The End
Macy was so happy when she was done reading her report. Everyone in her class clapped and the teacher smiled and spoke to Macy: “Good Job!” As Macy walked back to her seat, she had a big, wide smile across her face.
References
Bell,C.2012. The mythology of the Constellations.http://www.comfychair.org/~cmbell/myth/myth.htm
Crux retrieved February 19,2016,from WIkipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/crux
Francis.P.(2007)Science Matters:Constellations NY,US Weigl Publishers Inc.
Hydra(constellation)retrieved January 28,2016,from Wikipedia:https://en wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydra_(constellations
Kaler,J.Feb 14,2016.The Constellations. http://stars.astro.illinois.edu/sow/const.html
Nicolson, C and Salvin B.(2006). Kids Can Read:Discover the Stars. U.S.:Kids Can Press Ltd.Crux retrieved February 19,2016,from WIkipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/crux
When I researched, I found two totally different informational texts. One said that constellations change over time, and the other one said that constellations stay the same. So, I don’t really know which one is correct.
What is a Star Map and Can You See The Same Constellations In Both Hemispheres?
A star map is a map where it shows where the constellations are and their names. If you were to look up at the sky at night and see a constellation, the people in the southern hemisphere wouldn’t be able to see the constellation you are seeing. Which means, you aren’t able to see the constellation that a person is seeing in the southern hemisphere.
Fun Facts
The largest constellation is Hydra. The smallest constellation is the Southern Cross. The Southern Cross is on the Australian flag. Sometimes people think that Sirius is a constellation, but it is just a really bright star. It is the brightest star in the sky. You can find this bright star in Canis Major.
The End
Macy was so happy when she was done reading her report. Everyone in her class clapped and the teacher smiled and spoke to Macy: “Good Job!” As Macy walked back to her seat, she had a big, wide smile across her face.
References
Bell,C.2012. The mythology of the Constellations.http://www.comfychair.org/~cmbell/myth/myth.htm
Crux retrieved February 19,2016,from WIkipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/crux
Francis.P.(2007)Science Matters:Constellations NY,US Weigl Publishers Inc.
Hydra(constellation)retrieved January 28,2016,from Wikipedia:https://en wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydra_(constellations
Kaler,J.Feb 14,2016.The Constellations. http://stars.astro.illinois.edu/sow/const.html
Nicolson, C and Salvin B.(2006). Kids Can Read:Discover the Stars. U.S.:Kids Can Press Ltd.Crux retrieved February 19,2016,from WIkipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/crux
DNA
By Antarish
Pretend you can make yourself have any characteristics. Maybe you would want a second head, or four arms. You might be thinking, is that even possible to have two heads, or four arms. And then a bigger question arises in your head, who or what makes us have only one head rather than having two heads. Well, maybe I can help you.
You see the reason you have the characteristics that you have is, because of your DNA. Short form of Deoxyribonucleic Acid. DNA is a nucleic acid that makes you have two arms, two legs, two eyes, which means in other terms, DNA carries genetic instructions .
You see the reason you have the characteristics that you have is, because of your DNA. Short form of Deoxyribonucleic Acid. DNA is a nucleic acid that makes you have two arms, two legs, two eyes, which means in other terms, DNA carries genetic instructions .
Now wouldn’t you think it’s possible to have any characteristics by changing your DNA, but then that would mean you have to take every cell out of you and change each cell’s DNA. This happens, because each cell you have has DNA inside it. You can change from a boy to a girl or vice versa. The way to change from a boy to a girl or vice versa is by changing your chromosomes. Everyone has forty-six chromosomes, which are forty-five “X” chromosomes, and then the last one depends if you are a girl or boy. If you are a boy you will have your last chromosome as a “Y” chromosome, and if you are a girl you will have forty-six “X” chromosomes.
DNA is duplicating substance almost in every living thing. Also, a DNA molecule is a long macromolecule that is made up two strands that coil. The two polynucleotide chains around each other which forms a double helix. Which are held together by weak hydrogen bonds between the base portions of the nucleotides. We know this, because Francis Crick and James Watson discovered this. Genes are the regions of DNA that contain protein, and genes make up chromosomes.
DNA plays an important role in the medical field , criminal field and the society. People can trace back to their ancestors, because of DNA. It can also help discover hereditary diseases. People use DNA analysis to find out the real parents. Due to unique characteristics of DNA, Criminal department can find out the criminal in cases by testing their DNA and see if it matches to the culprit’s DNA. DNA can also help in agriculture by improving food products like making a seedless grape.
Without DNA our lives would be really difficult. We wouldn’t be able to figure out who’s the culprit for a crime. Instead we would be pointing fingers at each others. If there was no DNA then there would be no differences between anyone. All of us would look the same. You can see DNA has a big impact in our lives.
DNA is duplicating substance almost in every living thing. Also, a DNA molecule is a long macromolecule that is made up two strands that coil. The two polynucleotide chains around each other which forms a double helix. Which are held together by weak hydrogen bonds between the base portions of the nucleotides. We know this, because Francis Crick and James Watson discovered this. Genes are the regions of DNA that contain protein, and genes make up chromosomes.
DNA plays an important role in the medical field , criminal field and the society. People can trace back to their ancestors, because of DNA. It can also help discover hereditary diseases. People use DNA analysis to find out the real parents. Due to unique characteristics of DNA, Criminal department can find out the criminal in cases by testing their DNA and see if it matches to the culprit’s DNA. DNA can also help in agriculture by improving food products like making a seedless grape.
Without DNA our lives would be really difficult. We wouldn’t be able to figure out who’s the culprit for a crime. Instead we would be pointing fingers at each others. If there was no DNA then there would be no differences between anyone. All of us would look the same. You can see DNA has a big impact in our lives.
Black Holes
By Jacob
I’ve always wanted to fall into a Black Hole, but now I know it can kill you. I mean not even light can escape its pull! So that's another thing I can't do.
Although I still find them interesting. Basically, a Black Hole is a matter that has collapsed on itself and kept on getting crushed until it turns into a Black Hole. I mean there hast to be somewhere the crushed stuff comes out. And if so then are Black Holes portals to different dimensions. And like how when a supernova explodes a Black Hole is born. Well, at least, most of the black holes. The rest of the Black Holes we have no idea.
And also how on one side it’s a Black Hole and on the other side it’s a White Hole. Oh and then there's the fact that Black Holes are the strangest object in our universe!
Also, they are space and time, so that means they have no surface, which means that they are gravity the-the MAX. I mean how cool is gravity to the MAX! And then a Black Hole is basically an infinity. But who doesn't think that gravity to the MAX isn't cool. OK, that might have been cool (Who am I kidding that was awesome) but what's also cool is that when two Black Holes meet, each other wants to swallow its opponent. It's like wrestling but the new and improved intergalactic style.
One fun fact is that some scientist thinks that if you were to get to the exact very center of a Black Hole you won't feel anything. But we don't know because by the time you'd get to the center of a Black Hole you would be crushed.
What's also cool is that a Black Hole will suck up anything in its path so it's like a space vacuum cleaner that has no limit.
Oh, and how the larger the galaxy the larger the Black Hole. OK, I know you're sad because we are done, but who knows maybe I'll get another space assignment. : )
P.S. Seriously though who doesn't think gravity to the MAX isn't cool !?
Although I still find them interesting. Basically, a Black Hole is a matter that has collapsed on itself and kept on getting crushed until it turns into a Black Hole. I mean there hast to be somewhere the crushed stuff comes out. And if so then are Black Holes portals to different dimensions. And like how when a supernova explodes a Black Hole is born. Well, at least, most of the black holes. The rest of the Black Holes we have no idea.
And also how on one side it’s a Black Hole and on the other side it’s a White Hole. Oh and then there's the fact that Black Holes are the strangest object in our universe!
Also, they are space and time, so that means they have no surface, which means that they are gravity the-the MAX. I mean how cool is gravity to the MAX! And then a Black Hole is basically an infinity. But who doesn't think that gravity to the MAX isn't cool. OK, that might have been cool (Who am I kidding that was awesome) but what's also cool is that when two Black Holes meet, each other wants to swallow its opponent. It's like wrestling but the new and improved intergalactic style.
One fun fact is that some scientist thinks that if you were to get to the exact very center of a Black Hole you won't feel anything. But we don't know because by the time you'd get to the center of a Black Hole you would be crushed.
What's also cool is that a Black Hole will suck up anything in its path so it's like a space vacuum cleaner that has no limit.
Oh, and how the larger the galaxy the larger the Black Hole. OK, I know you're sad because we are done, but who knows maybe I'll get another space assignment. : )
P.S. Seriously though who doesn't think gravity to the MAX isn't cool !?
References
Thorn, K. (1994). Black Holes & Time Warps. W. W. Norton & Company Retrieved on Feb. 25, 2016
Google - ESA space for kids - our Universe - Black Holes Retrieved on Feb. 25, 2016
Youtube - Black Holes - Mysteries of the Universe Retrieved on Feb. 25, 2016
Google - ESA space for kids - our Universe - Black Holes Retrieved on Feb. 25, 2016
Youtube - Black Holes - Mysteries of the Universe Retrieved on Feb. 25, 2016
The Northern Lights!
By Maggie
Some might ask, “What are those dancing curtains of light in the beautiful polar night sky?” Well that fantastic sight is called the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis). They are electrically charged particles that occur from the Sun that come into the magnetic field and collide with oxygen and nitrogen atoms. The most common colors that appear in the sky are pale green and pink. Other colors that have been seen are shades of red, yellow, green, blue, and violet. Auroras also come in all different shapes and sizes.
What causes the Auroras?
The Northern Lights start in space when electrically charged particles are thrown from the Sun’s atmosphere into open spots of the magnetic field. They are blown toward the Earth, and some particles intersect with gas molecules (oxygen and nitrogen atoms). The Sun is 1,000,000 degrees, so when it’s this hot, collisions of gas molecules are likely and explosive! The collisions produce light that we see high up in the sky, the Northern Lights!
Different types of colors are due to the type of gas molecules that they are intersecting with. Pale green colors in the sky are caused by oxygen molecules found about 60 miles up north from the Earth. The uncommon all red auroras are caused by high-altitude oxygen molecules, at a height up to 200 miles! Nitrogen molecules make a blue and/or purple like red aurora.
What causes the Auroras?
The Northern Lights start in space when electrically charged particles are thrown from the Sun’s atmosphere into open spots of the magnetic field. They are blown toward the Earth, and some particles intersect with gas molecules (oxygen and nitrogen atoms). The Sun is 1,000,000 degrees, so when it’s this hot, collisions of gas molecules are likely and explosive! The collisions produce light that we see high up in the sky, the Northern Lights!
Different types of colors are due to the type of gas molecules that they are intersecting with. Pale green colors in the sky are caused by oxygen molecules found about 60 miles up north from the Earth. The uncommon all red auroras are caused by high-altitude oxygen molecules, at a height up to 200 miles! Nitrogen molecules make a blue and/or purple like red aurora.
When and where is the best time/place to see the Northern Lights?
Auroras are spotted in the northern and southern hemispheres. When they occur, they usually take place in both northern and southern hemispheres at the same time, colors, and shape. They usually occur near the north and south magnetic poles. The Northern Lights activity usually comes every 11 years. Winter in the north part of Earth is a common and good time to watch for the auroras.
North America’s best places to watch the auroras are in the northwestern parts of Canada, the tip of southern Greenland, Iceland, the northern shore of Norway, and above the coastal waters north from Siberia. In the southern area, auroras are more uncommon than in the north. But, they do sometimes appear in a ring around Antarctica and the southern Indian Ocean.
What makes different types of Auroras?
When the solar storm comes towards the Earth, a magnetic shield forms surrounding our planet. The shields then create a tunnel to let the gas stream down on the daylight side of the magnetic poles. That’s the daylight aurora. When gas streams into both north and south poles, that’s the nighttime aurora.
The Northern Lights are outstanding things to gaze at. Some people are very lucky to see the astonishing aurora of light in the beautiful night sky. Who knows, maybe you might be one of those lucky people! Auroras are so interesting to me, and I hope they are for you too!
References
(2010) Space a Visual Encyclopedia. New York: D.K Publishing
Smith, H. How the Northern Lights are Created VIDEO. Uploaded on Jul. 13, 2011. Retrieved on Jan. 26, 2016. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MI3YDGgtN4
Smith, H. How the Northern Lights are Created VIDEO. Uploaded on Jul. 13, 2011. Retrieved on Jan. 26, 2016. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MI3YDGgtN4
SUPERNOVAS
By Makayla
In this dark night, sky of space this bright, massive, red supergiant star causes an explosion that is very catastrophic, but has great beauty also. These supernovas are rare events ending a star’s life or when a white dwarf star steals matter from its companion star. These supernovas are the most energetic explosions that happen in nature and space. What do scientists use to study supernovas? Are supernovas given names, if so how? What is left after a supernova? How long does the supernova explosion last?
About Supernovas
A supernova is a star that explodes. A supernova is an explosion caused either by a massive star ending its lifetime by its nuclear fuel running out and it’s core collapsing, causing a supernova, or by a carbon-oxygen white dwarf star, in a binary star system, which is two object in space that are close enough and orbit around each other, steals a large amount of mass from its companion star, causing an uncontrolled fusion of carbon and oxygen, resulting for the white dwarf star to explode as a supernova. About every fifty years, a massive star blows up causing a supernova. The supernova’s explosion in space only lasts about one hundred seconds, which is a short period of time. When a supernova explodes, it gives off matter into space around 9,000-25,000 miles per second and the explosion is equivalent to a few octillion nuclear warheads. Supernovas also helps distribute heavy elements, elements with an atomic mass larger than 92, into space. These elements that are produced are distributed all throughout the galaxy and make up stars and planets and everything in it, which means we carry parts of distant galaxies within us.
How Scientists View Supernovas
Supernovas can be seen through telescopes. Scientists use different telescopes to look for and to also study supernovas. Some telescopes they use look at the light that is seen from the explosion, while others record the data from the X-rays and gamma rays that are produced from them. Chandra X-ray Observatory’s telescope had discovered the more recent supernova, which exploded in the Milky Way Galaxy more than a hundred years ago. In June of 2012, when NASA had launched their first telescope which focuses light on the high-energy region of the electromagnetic spectrum. The NuSTAR mission has numerous jobs, including looking for collapsed stars, black holes, supernova remnants, and much more. NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope and Chandra X-ray Observatory have captured images of supernovas.
Before the explosion
All the stars lives begin in a cloud of dust and hydrogen gas that is called nebulae. Though most average stars take billions of years to burn all of their hydrogen fuel, when it does, the star then expands into a red giant. Later it starts to get rid of its layers like an onion skin, and become a white dwarf star. Massive stars though, use their hydrogen fuel quicker than an average star. When there is nothing left for the massive star to burn, it becomes a red supergiant. It will not become a white dwarf like the average star, but will explode into a violent supernova.
After a Supernova
What is seen after a supernova is called a supernova remnant. Supernova remnants can be seen for up to two years. What happens after a supernova explodes varies because of their size. If the star originally was smaller than our Sun, it will explode but then just shrink into a tiny neutron star that is about the size of a city. If it originally was larger than our Sun, it will explode as a supernova, then reduce to a black hole.
Exploding Extras
Supernovas are beautiful, but extraordinarily rare events that occur in space. It is the most powerful explosion that happens in space and nature. All stars start in nebula and end it’s life, but few will explode as a supernova. Supernovas can be viewed through telescopes. NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope and Chandra X-ray Observatory have captured images of supernovas. Whatever happens after the supernova explosion, depends on the size the star was before. It will either become a neutron star few miles wide, or a black hole. Supernovas are beautiful, but catastrophic.
About Supernovas
A supernova is a star that explodes. A supernova is an explosion caused either by a massive star ending its lifetime by its nuclear fuel running out and it’s core collapsing, causing a supernova, or by a carbon-oxygen white dwarf star, in a binary star system, which is two object in space that are close enough and orbit around each other, steals a large amount of mass from its companion star, causing an uncontrolled fusion of carbon and oxygen, resulting for the white dwarf star to explode as a supernova. About every fifty years, a massive star blows up causing a supernova. The supernova’s explosion in space only lasts about one hundred seconds, which is a short period of time. When a supernova explodes, it gives off matter into space around 9,000-25,000 miles per second and the explosion is equivalent to a few octillion nuclear warheads. Supernovas also helps distribute heavy elements, elements with an atomic mass larger than 92, into space. These elements that are produced are distributed all throughout the galaxy and make up stars and planets and everything in it, which means we carry parts of distant galaxies within us.
How Scientists View Supernovas
Supernovas can be seen through telescopes. Scientists use different telescopes to look for and to also study supernovas. Some telescopes they use look at the light that is seen from the explosion, while others record the data from the X-rays and gamma rays that are produced from them. Chandra X-ray Observatory’s telescope had discovered the more recent supernova, which exploded in the Milky Way Galaxy more than a hundred years ago. In June of 2012, when NASA had launched their first telescope which focuses light on the high-energy region of the electromagnetic spectrum. The NuSTAR mission has numerous jobs, including looking for collapsed stars, black holes, supernova remnants, and much more. NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope and Chandra X-ray Observatory have captured images of supernovas.
Before the explosion
All the stars lives begin in a cloud of dust and hydrogen gas that is called nebulae. Though most average stars take billions of years to burn all of their hydrogen fuel, when it does, the star then expands into a red giant. Later it starts to get rid of its layers like an onion skin, and become a white dwarf star. Massive stars though, use their hydrogen fuel quicker than an average star. When there is nothing left for the massive star to burn, it becomes a red supergiant. It will not become a white dwarf like the average star, but will explode into a violent supernova.
After a Supernova
What is seen after a supernova is called a supernova remnant. Supernova remnants can be seen for up to two years. What happens after a supernova explodes varies because of their size. If the star originally was smaller than our Sun, it will explode but then just shrink into a tiny neutron star that is about the size of a city. If it originally was larger than our Sun, it will explode as a supernova, then reduce to a black hole.
Exploding Extras
- A supernova is bright enough that it can briefly outshine galaxies
- Supernovas can radiate more energy than our sun in it’s lifetime
- The last viewed supernova in the Milky Way Galaxy was in 1604 by Johannes Kepler, which is now called Kepler’s Nova
- Supernovas have names that are given to them by the prefix “SN”, the year that they were discovered in, and ending with one or two letters in the alphabet. Example: SN 1987A
Supernovas are beautiful, but extraordinarily rare events that occur in space. It is the most powerful explosion that happens in space and nature. All stars start in nebula and end it’s life, but few will explode as a supernova. Supernovas can be viewed through telescopes. NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope and Chandra X-ray Observatory have captured images of supernovas. Whatever happens after the supernova explosion, depends on the size the star was before. It will either become a neutron star few miles wide, or a black hole. Supernovas are beautiful, but catastrophic.
Riddles
1. What is a caterpillar after is it three days old?
Four days old
2. Why does lightning never strike the same place twice?
A place is never the same after lightning strikes it.
3. What weighs a lot of tons but fall without making a noise?
Snowflakes
Four days old
2. Why does lightning never strike the same place twice?
A place is never the same after lightning strikes it.
3. What weighs a lot of tons but fall without making a noise?
Snowflakes
Answers
1. Four days old
2. A place is never the same after lighting strikes
3. Snowflakes
2. A place is never the same after lighting strikes
3. Snowflakes
The Northern Lights
By
The Northern Lights
The Lights, the Lights
The Northern Lights I see tonight
The Lights, the Lights
The Glowing Streaks that shine so bright
The Lights, the Lights
Seen at Magnetic Midnight
The Lights, the Lights
The Northern Lights I see tonight
Stars Quiz
Q~How big can stars get? A~A few tens of times larger than the sun.
Q~What is the most common star? A~A Red-Dwarf star is the most common and long-lived star.
Q~How bright can a star be? A~A star can be millions of times brighter than the Sun.
Q~How old can a star get? A~The average star can live to be 15 million years.
The Lights, the Lights
The Northern Lights I see tonight
The Lights, the Lights
The Glowing Streaks that shine so bright
The Lights, the Lights
Seen at Magnetic Midnight
The Lights, the Lights
The Northern Lights I see tonight
Stars Quiz
Q~How big can stars get? A~A few tens of times larger than the sun.
Q~What is the most common star? A~A Red-Dwarf star is the most common and long-lived star.
Q~How bright can a star be? A~A star can be millions of times brighter than the Sun.
Q~How old can a star get? A~The average star can live to be 15 million years.