This Hubble Space Telescope image shows what appears to be a delicate bubble of gas floating in space. In actuality, the bubble is the visible remnant of a powerful supernova explosion called SNR 0509. The bubble was formed from gas being swept up by the expanding shock wave. The accompanying activity is a curriculum support tool designed for use as an introductory inquiry activity. In the activity, ... Full description.

This Hubble Space Telescope images shows a group of interacting galaxies called Arp 273. The accompanying classroom activity is a curriculum support tool designed for use as an introductory inquiry activity. During the classroom activity, students use the images and text on the lithograph to generate questions about galaxy interactions. They will conduct research to answer their questions, and create ... Full description.

In this episode of the Space Place Web site talk show, thermal engineer Donya Douglas of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center talks about her job in designing ways to keep the three tiny Space Technology 5 spacecraft at the right operating temperature in space, without adding much to their mass or need for electrical power. Cartoon characters present their own 6-7 minute talk show live from the Space ... Full description.

In this computer-based exercise, students analyze realistically simulated X-ray spectra of a supernova remnant and determine the abundances of various elements in them. In the end, they will find that the elements necessary for life on Earth -- the iron in their blood, the calcium in their bones -- are created in these distant explosions. The product consists of both downloadable software (PC only) ... Full description.

The main scientific instrument on the Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope (GLAST) is the Large Area Telescope (LAT). This interactive computer-based educational activity allows students in grades 11-14 and informal web users to see the results when gamma-ray photons of different energies and incident angles hit the LAT. The photons convert into electron-positron pairs which travel through 19 interleaved ... Full description.

In this chapter, users explore relationships between air quality and population density using the image visualization tool, Google Earth. Humans discovered long ago that burning fossil fuels was a convenient way to get power. In engines for automobiles and plants that generate electricity, huge volumes of oil, gas, and coal are burned every day. Where many people live together in concentrated areas, ... Full description.

In this lesson, students use the Live Access Server to obtain real sea surface temperature data, to create maps and line graphs, and to make comparisons and conclusions about the effects of El Nino and La Nina. Detailed Procedure and Materials, Vocabulary linked to an On-line glossary, and Teacher Notes are provided. Full description.

By matching maps of snow and ice amounts with maps of net radiation flux for the same time frame, students will use the Live Access Server to explore how the net radiation flux has affected the snow and ice amounts in the Northern Hemisphere, as well as how the presence of snow can affect the net radiation flux due to surface reflection. Detailed Procedure and Materials, Vocabulary linked to an On-line ... Full description.

In this lesson, students will use the Live Access Server to access and use historical satellite data for the Costa Rican (Central American) region. Students will examine monthly precipitation averages over three years to look for seasonal patterns. Detailed Procedure and Materials, Vocabulary linked to an On-line glossary, and Teacher Notes are provided. Full description.

In this lesson, students use the Live Access Server to research possible trends present in atmospheric and oceanic conditions which may affect future hurricane frequency and or intensity. Students write a summary discussing what steps should be taken, if any, to mitigate the danger of future hurricanes in a selected area. Detailed Procedure and Materials, Vocabulary linked to an On-line glossary, ... Full description.