Astrophysics Topics
The Humming Black Hole
2000 — April 6, 2011
A black hole binary star system called XTE J1550-564 has recently become one of the brightest sources in the sky at x-ray wavelengths. Astronomers are fascinated by fluctuations in the x-ray emission from this source, which if converted to sound waves would feel like the deep rumbling vibrations from a bass speaker at a rock 'n roll concert.
Amateurs Catch a Gamma-ray Burst
2000 — April 6, 2011
For the first time amateur astronomers, using a 40-yr old telescope and a homemade CCD camera, have detected the faint afterglow from a gamma-ray burst billions of light years away.
Impact!
2000 — April 6, 2011
Images made by NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatoryshow for the first time the full impact of the actual blast wave from Supernova 1987A. The observations are the first time that X-rays from a shock wave have been imaged at such an early stage of a supernova explosion.
Brown Dwarf Solar Flare
2000 — April 6, 2011
The Chandra X-ray Observatoryhas detected the first-ever flare from what's known as a brown dwarf, or failed star. Scientists were surprised at the outburst, which unleashed an amount of energy comparable to a small solar flare.
Amatuers Reach for the Stars
2000 — April 6, 2011
Amateur astronomers attended a unique meeting in mid-April to learn about high-energy Astrophysicsand how they can participate in it.
From the Drawing Board to the Stars
2000 — April 6, 2011
In this scientific human interest story, Dr. Jim Burch describes what it's like to visualize a modern space mission and then, years later, to make it happen. Burch shares his experiences as a competitor for mission funding, as a coordinator of far-flung personnel, and as an onlooker during launch.
It's a Supernova!
2003 — April 6, 2011
On March 29, 2003, in the constellation Leo, something exploded--bright enough to see through small telescopes in brightly-lit cities. Astronomers say it provides the long-sought link between supernovas and mysterious gamma ray bursts.
near-Earth Supernovas
2003 — April 6, 2011
A new NASA mission named "CHIPS" will soon leave Earth to study the remains of some uncomfortably close supernova explosions.
The Goldilocks Zone
2003 — April 6, 2011
Researchers are finding that life can thrive in some unexpected places on Earth--and perhaps elsewhere in the Universe, too.
Solar Flares on Steroids
2003 — April 6, 2011
Solar flares that scorch Earth's atmosphere are commonplace. But scientists have discovered a few each year that are not like the others: they come from stars thousands of light years away.