vania-janet/multiturn-rag-retrieval-data huggingface dataset:
Westerlund 2
These tiny, faint stars are between 1 million and 2 million years old — relatively young stars — that have not yet ignited the hydrogen in their cores. The brilliant blue stars seen throughout the image are mostly foreground stars.

Because the cluster is very young — in astronomical terms — it has not had time to disperse its stars deep into interstellar space, providing astronomers with an opportunity to gather information on how the cluster formed by studying it within its star-birthing environment.

For more information, visit: https://hubblesite.org/contents/news-releases/2020/news-2020-15?news=trueCredits: NASA, ESA, A. Nota (ESA/STScI), and the Westerlund 2 Science Team Download Share Tags Hubble Space TelescopeImage CreditNASA, ESA, A. Nota (ESA/STScI), and the Westerlund 2 Science TeamSize640x480pxReturn to topThe National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationNASA explores the unknown in air and space, innovates for the benefit of humanity, and inspires the world through discovery.About NASA's MissionJoin UsHomeNews & EventsMultimediaNASA+MissionsHumans in SpaceEarth & ClimateThe Solar SystemThe UniverseScienceAeronauticsTechnologyLearning ResourcesAbout NASANASA en EspañolFollow NASAMore NASA Social AccountsNASA NewslettersSitemapFor MediaPrivacy PolicyFOIANo FEAR ActOffice of the IGBudget & Annual ReportsAgency Financial ReportsContact NASAAccessibilityPage Last Updated:10 months agoPage Editor:SMD Content EditorsResponsible NASA Official for Science:Dana Bolles
Imagine the Universe!
Imagine the Universe!

Skip navigation and go straight to page content. 
 
 

National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Goddard Space Flight Center

 
 

 
 
 

 

Home
Science

Astronomer's Toolbox
Cosmic Objects
Big Questions
Featured Science

Observatories

Learning Centers
Satellite Showcase
How Scientists Get Data
Detection Technology
History of High Energy Observatories

Special Exhibits

Coloring Pages
Scientist Profiles
You Be the Astrophysicist
Cosmic Distance Scale

Educators

Lesson Plans
Materials
Programs

Ask An Astrophysicist
Resources

Other Resources
Dictionary

Search

 
 
 

 

Educational Program Guides and Curricula
Afterschool Universe

Afterschool Universe is the curriculum for an out-of-school-time astronomy program for middle school students (roughly grades 6-8 or ages 11-14). Using hands-on activities and interdisciplinary teaching techniques, it explores basic astronomy concepts and takes participants on a journey through the universe.
Afterschool Universe offers an opportunity to run a well-tested and easily implemented program in your own local community. Designed for flexible implementation, it can be run as a science club, a summer camp, as a regular afterschool program, or many other formats.
The website includes a number of resources to help you run all or part of the program yourself, including a comprehensive manual with detailed activity instructions, background information, materials lists, and training videos to supplement the manual for certain activities.

Big Explosions and Strong Gravity

Big Explosions and Strong Gravity is the curriculum for a day-long event for middle-school youth (roughly grades 6-8 or ages 11-14) to learn about supernovae, black holes, and the ways that scientists study these exciting phenomena. Students participate in hands-on activities to learn about the creation and distribution of elements in the universe, how light can be broken up into rainbow colors so scientists can learn what distant objects are made of, and the exciting lives and deaths of large stars.
Big Explosions and Strong Gravity was developed in partnership with the Girl Scouts of Central Maryland, and is now available as a curriculum that can be run with a variety of audiences.
Educators' Corner


Educators' Corner

National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Goddard Space Flight Center

Imagine the Universe!

Home

Science

Astronomer's Toolbox

Cosmic Objects

Big Questions

Featured Science

Observatories

Special Exhibits

Scientist Profiles

You Be the Astrophysicist

The Cosmic Distance Scale

Educators' Corner

Lesson Plans
Materials
Programs

Ask an Astrophysicist

Resources

Other Resources

Dictionary

Search

Educators' Corner

 
Educators' Corner

 

Educators' Corner

What is Your Cosmic Connection to the Elements?
 
 

Got Calcium?
 
 

Supernova Chemistry
 
 

How Far? How Powerful?
 
 
 

Lesson Plans
Materials
Programs

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

A service of the High Energy Astrophysics Science Archive Research Center (HEASARC), Dr. Andy Ptak (Director), within the Astrophysics Science Division (ASD) at NASA/GSFC

The Imagine Team
Project Leader: Dr. Barbara Mattson
Web Curator: J.D. Myers
Responsible NASA Official : Dr. Andy Ptak

Privacy Policy & Important Notices
Useful plugins
Contact Us
Page Last Updated: 18-Sep-2015
NASA's Hubble Finds that Aging Brown Dwarfs Grow Lonely - NASA Science
Oort CloudSkywatchingEspañol CienciaAeronáuticaCiencias TerrestresSistema SolarUniversoScience All NASA ScienceEarth SciencePlanetary ScienceAstrophysics & Space ScienceThe Sun & HeliophysicsBiological & Physical SciencesLunar ScienceCitizen ScienceAstromaterialsAeronautics ResearchHuman Space Travel ResearchExploreSearchSubmitNews & EventsMultimediaNASA+4 min readNASA’s Hubble Finds that Aging Brown Dwarfs Grow LonelyNASA Hubble Mission TeamGoddard Space Flight CenterMar 21, 2024ArticleIt takes two to tango, but in the case of brown dwarfs that were once paired as binary systems, that relationship doesn't last for very long, according to a recent survey from NASA's Hubble Space Telescope.Brown dwarfs are interstellar objects generally more massive than Jupiter but less massive than the lowest-mass stars.* They are born like stars – out of a cloud of gas and dust that collapses – but do not have enough mass to sustain the fusion of hydrogen like a normal star.This is an artist's concept of a brown dwarf. This class of object is too large to be a planet (and did not form in the same way), but is too small to be a star because it cannot sustain nuclear fusion, since it is less massive than even the smallest stars. A brown dwarf is marked by wind-driven horizontal bands of thick clouds that may alternate with relatively cloud-free bands, giving the object a striped appearance. Whirling storm systems as big as terrestrial continents, or even small planets, might exist.

The name "brown dwarf" is a misnomer because the object would typically appear red to the naked eye. It is brightest in infrared light. Many brown dwarfs have binary companions. But as they age, the binary system gravitationally falls apart, and each dwarf goes its separate way, according to a recent Hubble Space Telescope study.

The background stars in this illustration are a science visualization assembled from the Gaia spacecraft star catalog. The synthesized stars are accurate in terms of position, brightness, and color.
Universe Spacecraft Paper Models - NASA Science
You can build paper versions of many of them right here on Earth.Paper modeling - or card modeling - is the art of constructing things with only colored, cut and folded pieces of paper. To help in constructing each model, you will need the free Adobe Reader to print the instructions and model parts. A link to adobe.com is provided with each model.Remember: Spacecraft construction is a team activity. Get some friends and an adult to pitch in on the mission. Now pick a ship to start your space fleet (or click on the spacecraft name to find out what the mission is all about).Build Your Own Universe Exploration FleetChandra X-Ray Telescope (PDF)This Model is Rated: Easy68 KB PDF, 11 pages - Requires Adobe Reader - Prints on 8 1/2 x 11 paperThe third of the Great Observatories was launched in 1999 into Earth orbit. As one of the most sophisticated x-ray observatories ever built, it observes x-rays from high-energy regions of the Universe.Compton Gamma Ray Observatory (PDF)This Model is Rated: Easy348 KB PDF, 37 pages - Requires Adobe Reader - Prints on 8 1/2 x 11 paperThe second of the Great Observatories was launched in 1991 into Earth orbit, and safely de-orbited in 2000. The observatory helped astronomers learn about the most powerful celestial bodies and events in the Universe. It observed gamma-ray bursts, and high temperature emissions from black holes.Fermi (PDF)This Model is Rated: Easy1.9 MB PDF, 7 pages - Requires Adobe Reader - Prints on 8 1/2 x 11 paperThe Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope is an international multi-agency mission that launched in 2008. It is studying the cosmos looking at object that emit high energy wavelengths of light.Gravity Probe B (PDF)This Model is Rated: Moderately Challenging6 MB PDF, 8 pages - Requires Adobe Reader - Prints on 8 1/2 x 11 paperLaunched in 2004 Gravity Probe B was a relativity experiment developed to test predictions of Einstein’s general theory of relativity.
James Webb Space Telescope - NASA Science
Webb’s data shows these galaxies are surrounded by gas that the researchers suspect to be almost purely hydrogen and helium, the earliest elements to exist in the cosmos. Webb’s instruments are so sensitive that they were able to detect an unusual amount of dense gas surrounding these galaxies. This gas will likely end up fueling the formation of new stars in the galaxies.This illustration shows a galaxy forming only a few hundred million years after the big bang, when gas was a mix of transparent and opaque during the Era of Reionization. Data from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope shows that cold gas is falling onto these galaxies.NASA, ESA, CSA, Joseph Olmsted (STScI)NEW - Webb Observation tracking TOOLWhat is Webb Observing?See current, upcoming and recent past observations scientists are making with the Webb Space Telescope. View details about each observation's science focus areas, the instruments used and more. View the ToolLatest NewsWebb's latest news releases in reverse chronological order. Search and sort the news feed and search results with the controls immediately below.Search Search Sort:Publish dateOrder:DescendingGalaxies Actively Forming in Early Universe Caught Feeding on Cold GasResearchers analyzing data from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope have pinpointed three galaxies that may be actively forming when the universe was only 400 to 600 million years old. Webb’s data shows these galaxies are surrounded by gas that the…Article2 days agoNASA’s TESS Finds Intriguing World Sized Between Earth, VenusUsing observations by NASA’s TESS (Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite) and many other facilities, two international teams of astronomers have discovered a planet between the sizes of Earth and Venus only 40 light-years away. Multiple factors make it a candidate well-suited…Article2 days agoWebb Cracks Case of Inflated ExoplanetWhy is the warm gas-giant exoplanet WASP-107 b so puffy? Two independent teams of researchers have an answer.
About NASA - NASA
Highlights

 

5 min read

Clare Luckey: Shaping the Future of Mars Missions and Inspiring the Artemis Generation 

article

1 day ago

 

2 min read

Hubble Captures a Bright Spiral in the Queen’s Hair

article

1 day ago

 

5 min read

Galaxies Actively Forming in Early Universe Caught Feeding on Cold Gas

article

2 days ago

Highlights

 

3 min read

Welcome Back to Planet Earth, Expedition 70 Crew! 

article

4 days ago

 

6 min read

Astronaut Exercise

article

5 days ago

 

4 min read

Eleasa Kim: Pioneering CLDP Payload Operations and Cultural Integration

article

2 weeks ago

Highlights

 

4 min read

NASA, IBM Research to Release New AI Model for Weather, Climate

article

3 days ago

 

5 min read

NASA “Wildfire Digital Twin” Pioneers New AI Models and Streaming Data Techniques for Forecasting Fire and Smoke

article

4 days ago

 

5 min read

5 Things to Know About NASA’s Tiny Twin Polar Satellites

article

1 week ago

Highlights

 

4 min read

NASA’s Psyche Fires Up Its Sci-Fi-Worthy Thrusters

article

3 days ago

 

5 min read

NASA’s Juno Provides High-Definition Views of Europa’s Icy Shell

article

1 week ago

 

19 min read

The Next Full Moon is the Flower, Corn, or Corn Planting Moon

article

1 week ago

Featured

 

2 min read

Hubble Captures a Bright Spiral in the Queen’s Hair

article

1 day ago

 

5 min read

Galaxies Actively Forming in Early Universe Caught Feeding on Cold Gas

article

2 days ago

 

5 min read

NASA’s TESS Finds Intriguing World Sized Between Earth, Venus

article

2 days ago

Highlights

 

1 min read

Open Science News

article

1 day ago

 

1 min read

E.11 Consortium in Biological Sciences Clarification on how to Address Eligibility

article

1 day ago

 

1 min read

Updated Points of Contact for LDAP, MDAP, and DDAP

article
Imagine the Universe!
I want time to enjoy all the other interesting things in life.
Publication Date: October. 2004

 
 
 

 

Home
Science

Astronomer's Toolbox
Cosmic Objects
Big Questions
Featured Science

Observatories

Learning Centers
Satellite Showcase
How Scientists Get Data
Detection Technology
History of High Energy Observatories

Special Exhibits

Coloring Pages
Scientist Profiles
You Be the Astrophysicist
Cosmic Distance Scale

Educators

Lesson Plans
Materials
Programs

Ask An Astrophysicist
Resources

Other Resources
Dictionary

Search

 

 
A service of the High Energy Astrophysics Science Archive Research Center (HEASARC), Dr. Andy Ptak (Director), within the Astrophysics Science Division (ASD) at NASA/GSFC

The Imagine Team
Project Leader: Dr. Barbara Mattson
Curator: J.D. Myers
NASA Official: Dr. Andy Ptak

Privacy Policy & Important Notices
Contact NASA
Contact Us
Page Last Updated: Wed, Sep 16, 2020
Imagine the Universe!
Dr. Jean Cottam

Dr. Duilia de Mello

Dr. Joanne 'Joe' Hill

Dr. Stefan Immler

Dr. Marc Kuchner

Dr. James C. Lochner

Dr. Koji Mukai

Dr. Kirpal Nandra

Dr. Aki Roberge

Dr. Jennifer Scott

Dr. Floyd Stecker

Dr. David Thompson

Dr. Michael Tripicco

Dr. Ed Wollack

 
 
 

 

Home
Science

Astronomer's Toolbox
Cosmic Objects
Big Questions
Featured Science

Observatories

Learning Centers
Satellite Showcase
How Scientists Get Data
Detection Technology
History of High Energy Observatories

Special Exhibits

Coloring Pages
Scientist Profiles
You Be the Astrophysicist
Cosmic Distance Scale

Educators

Lesson Plans
Materials
Programs

Ask An Astrophysicist
Resources

Other Resources
Dictionary

Search

 

 
A service of the High Energy Astrophysics Science Archive Research Center (HEASARC), Dr. Andy Ptak (Director), within the Astrophysics Science Division (ASD) at NASA/GSFC

The Imagine Team
Project Leader: Dr. Barbara Mattson
Curator: J.D. Myers
NASA Official: Dr. Andy Ptak

Privacy Policy & Important Notices
Contact NASA
Contact Us
Page Last Updated: Thu, Sep 17, 2020
What Is an Aurora? | NASA Space Place – NASA Science for Kids
What Is an Aurora? | NASA Space Place – NASA Science for Kids

aurora

Vea en Español

Earth
Sun
Solar System
Universe
Science and Tech
Educators

What Is an Aurora?

Watch this video to learn all about auroras! Click here to download this video (1920x1080, 277 MB, video/mp4).

If you're ever near the North or South Pole, you may be in for a very special treat. Frequently there are beautiful light shows in the sky. These lights are called auroras. If you're near the North Pole, it is called an aurora borealis or northern lights. If you're near the South Pole, it is called an aurora australis or the southern lights. 

This beautiful view of the aurora was taken from the International Space Station as it crossed over the southern Indian Ocean on September 17, 2011. 

 What makes this happen?
Even though auroras are best seen at night, they are actually caused by the Sun.

The Sun sends us more than heat and light; it sends lots of other energy and small particles our way. The protective magnetic field around Earth shields us from most of the energy and particles, and we don't even notice them.
But the Sun doesn't send the same amount of energy all the time. There is a constant streaming solar wind and there are also solar storms. During one kind of solar storm called a coronal mass ejection, the Sun burps out a huge bubble of electrified gas that can travel through space at high speeds.

When a solar storm comes toward us, some of the energy and small particles can travel down the magnetic field lines at the north and south poles into Earth's atmosphere.

There, the particles interact with gases in our atmosphere resulting in beautiful displays of light in the sky. Oxygen gives off green and red light. Nitrogen glows blue and purple. 

These green bands of light in the winter sky above Alaska are an aurora borealis. This is the name for an aurora in the Northern Hemisphere. Credit: Sarah Histand

 Do other planets get auroras?
They sure do!
Stars in an Exoplanet World - NASA Science
Sun & HeliophysicsBiological & Physical SciencesLunar ScienceCitizen ScienceAstromaterialsAeronautics ResearchHuman Space Travel ResearchExploreSearchSubmitNews & EventsMultimediaNASA+…ExoplanetsStars in an Exoplanet WorldExoplanets HomeExoplanets OverviewExoplanets FactsTypes of ExoplanetsStarsWhat is the UniverseSearch for LifeThe Big QuestionsAre We Alone?Can We Find Life?The Habitable ZoneWhy We SearchDiscoveriesDiscoveries DashboardHow We Find and CharacterizeMissionsPeopleExoplanet CatalogImmersiveThe ExoplaneteersExoplanet Travel Bureau5 Ways to Find a PlanetStrange New WorldsUniverse of MonstersGalaxy of HorrorsNewsStoriesBlogMultimediaResourcesGlossaryEyes on ExoplanetsExEPExplore This SectionExoplanets HomeExoplanets OverviewSearch for LifeDiscoveriesImmersiveNewsMultimediaResourcesExEPStars in an Exoplanet WorldContentsHow are stars born?What is a main sequence star?What does a star's color mean?What kind of star is our Sun?How do planets form around stars?The life cycles of starsRed giants and white dwarfsWhite dwarfs may become novaeGoing supernovaNeutron stars and pulsarsBlack holesFrom the remains, new stars and planets ariseStars are the most basic building blocks of galaxies.The age, distribution, and composition of stars trace the history, dynamics, and evolution of their galaxy. Stars are responsible for the production and distribution of heavy elements, such as carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen.This artist's impression represents the early universe. The very first stars born after the big bang, which astronomers call "Population III" stars, are elusive, having yet to be definitively detected. Unlike the stars of today – like our Sun (which contains heavier elements such as oxygen, nitrogen, carbon, and iron) – Population III stars would have been solely made of the few primordial elements forged in the big bang.
Quick Reads - NASA Science
Since they don’t emit any light, it’s pretty tough…Article3 years agoCosmic Piece of Pi3 min readWhat is pi? We’re not talking about your favorite pastry with yummy fillings and a side of ice cream. Pi can be written as the Greek letter 𝞹 or the number 3.14159…, which goes on and on because pi is…Article3 years agoThe Lives, Times, and Deaths of Stars4 min readWho among us doesn’t covertly read tabloid headlines when we pass them by? But if you’re really looking for a dramatic story, you might want to redirect your attention from Hollywood’s stars to the real thing. From birth to death,…Article4 years agoCosmic Couples and Devastating Breakups4 min readRelationships can be complicated – especially if you’re a pair of stars. Sometimes you start a downward spiral you just can’t get out of, eventually crash together, and set off an explosion that can be seen 130 million light-years away.…Article4 years agoPrevious12NextReturn to topThe National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationNASA explores the unknown in air and space, innovates for the benefit of humanity, and inspires the world through discovery.About NASA's MissionJoin UsHomeNews & EventsMultimediaNASA+MissionsHumans in SpaceEarth & ClimateThe Solar SystemThe UniverseScienceAeronauticsTechnologyLearning ResourcesAbout NASANASA en EspañolFollow NASAMore NASA Social AccountsNASA NewslettersSitemapFor MediaPrivacy PolicyFOIANo FEAR ActOffice of the IGBudget & Annual ReportsAgency Financial ReportsContact NASAAccessibilityPage Last Updated:4 months agoPage Editor:SMD Content EditorsResponsible NASA Official for Science:Dana Bolles
Logros de la NASA en la estación espacial en 2023 - NASA
Galaxies Actively Forming in Early Universe Caught Feeding on Cold Gas

article

2 days ago

 

5 min read

NASA’s TESS Finds Intriguing World Sized Between Earth, Venus

article

2 days ago

Highlights

 

1 min read

Open Science News

article

1 day ago

 

1 min read

E.11 Consortium in Biological Sciences Clarification on how to Address Eligibility

article

1 day ago

 

1 min read

Updated Points of Contact for LDAP, MDAP, and DDAP

article

1 day ago

Highlights

 

4 min read

NASA, Industry to Start Designing More Sustainable Jet Engine Core

article

1 week ago

 

4 min read

Aviary: A New NASA Software Platform for Aircraft Modelling

article

1 week ago

 

4 min read

NASA’s X-59 Passes Milestone Toward Safe First Flight 

article

1 week ago

Highlights

 

5 min read

NASA’s Compact Infrared Cameras Enable New Science

article

3 days ago

 

5 min read

NASA “Wildfire Digital Twin” Pioneers New AI Models and Streaming Data Techniques for Forecasting Fire and Smoke

article

4 days ago

 

2 min read

Tech Today: From Spacesuits to Racing Suits

article

5 days ago

Featured

 

2 min read

NASA Around the World: Interns Teach Virtual Lessons in Kenya

article

1 week ago

Highlights

 

4 min read

Jennifer Scott Williams: Leading the Next Giant Leap in Space Exploration and Championing STEM Advocacy

article

1 day ago

 

5 min read

Clare Luckey: Shaping the Future of Mars Missions and Inspiring the Artemis Generation 

article

1 day ago

 

18 min read

40 Years Ago: NASA Selects its 10th Group of Astronauts

article

2 days ago

Highlights

 

6 min read

Diez maneras en que los estudiantes pueden prepararse para ser astronautas

article

2 months ago

 

4 min read

Astronauta de la NASA Marcos Berríos

article

3 months ago

 

8 min read
Imagine the Universe!
Hawking radiation (S.W. Hawking; 1973)
A theory first proposed by British physicist Stephen Hawking, that due to a combination of properties of quantum mechanics and gravity, under certain conditions black holes can seem to emit radiation. 
Hawking temperature
The temperature inferred for a black hole based on the Hawking radiation detected from it.
HEAO
The High Energy Astrophysical Observatory satellite series

 Tell me more about HEAO-1.
 Tell me more about HEAO-2 (Einstein Observatory).
 Tell me more about HEAO-3.

HEASARC
High Energy Astrophysics Science Archive Research Center, located at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. The HEASARC creates and maintains archives of data from ultraviolet, x-ray and gamma-ray satellites for use by astronomers around the world.
helium
The second lightest and second most abundant element. The typical helium atom consists of a nucleus of two protons and two neutrons surrounded by two electrons. Helium was first discovered in our Sun. Roughly 25% of the mass of our Sun is helium.
Herschel, Sir William (1738 - 1822)
Sir William Herschel was a renowned astronomer who first detected the infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum in 1800.
Hertz, Heinrich (1857 - 1894)
A German physics professor who did the first experiments with generating and receiving electromagnetic waves, in particular radio waves. In his honor, the units associated with measuring the cycles per second of the waves (or the number of times the tip-tops of the waves pass a fixed point in space in 1 second of time) is called the hertz.
hertz; Hz (after H. Hertz, 1857 - 1894)
The derived SI< unit of frequency, defined as a frequency of 1 cycle per second.
HST
Hubble Space Telescope
Hubble, Edwin P. (1889 - 1953)
American astronomer whose observations proved that galaxies are "island universes", not nebulae inside our own galaxy. His greatest discovery, called "Hubble's Law", was the linear relationship between a galaxy's distance and the speed with which it is moving. The Hubble Space Telescope is named in his honor.