Universe in the Classroom
Welcome to the Universe in the Classroom! This electronic educational newsletter is for teachers and other educators around the world who want to help students of all ages learn more about the wonders of the universe through astronomy.
You can read the current issue, subscribe to receive updates and browse our archives. You can also learn more about the Universe in the Classroom and find out about how you can help by writing an article, translating the newsletter or making a donation.
Current Issue: Summer 2013
Energy Budget: Earth’s most important and least appreciated planetary attribute
by Lin Chambers (NASA Langley Research Center) and Katie Bethea (SSAI)
Scientists have worked to understand the Earth’s energy budget for well over a century. Starting in 1978, NASA has added to scientist’s understanding through orbital instruments and dedicated satellites to collect data on the input of solar radiation, and the outflow of energy from the Earth. Analysis of this data has helped scientists understand the factors that influence this energy budget. Through My NASA Data, educators can now access much of this data, along with activities for its use in the classroom.
In this edition of Universe in the Classroom, learn about how NASA studies the Earth’s energy budget, and how to use My NASA Data to bring NASA data into the classroom.
Spring 2013
NASA’s NuSTAR Mission Brings the High-Energy Universe into Focus
By Lynn R. Cominsky, Sonoma State University
“NASA’s NuSTAR Helps Solve Riddle of Black Hole Spin” reads the headline on a NASA press release on February 27, 2013. Other articles in the popular media with titles such as “Monster Black Hole’s Spin Revealed for 1st Time” and “Black Hole Speed Of Rotation Can Approach Speed Of Light, ‘Supermassive’ Study Shows” tout the discovery. Black holes have long fascinated the public with their mysterious properties, and the ease of incorporating them into science fiction story plot lines. A new Earth-orbiting observatory and NASA mission, the Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array, or NuSTAR, is designed to study black holes and other high-energy objects and events. Observing in the most energetic band of x-rays, what sets NuSTAR apart is its ability to focus the incoming x-rays on to its detector. Launched in June 2012, NuSTAR has responded with significant discoveries within its first year of operation.
In this edition of Universe in the Classroom, learn about NASA’s NuSTAR mission, and how it is adding to scientists understanding of black holes, and other high energy phenomena.
We thank the following Universe in the Classroom sponsors
Donat G. Wentzel
The Thomason Foundation
Al Whaley