Suggested Searches

Sensing the Universe Interactive

Multimessenger astronomy animation showing particles, light, and gravitational waves
The three carriers of information in multimessenger astronomy – particles, light, and gravitational waves – are shown in this illustration.
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center
Levels
  • Intermediate (6-8)
  • Advanced (9-12+)
Material Type
  • Article/Informative Text
Heliophysics Topics
  • Electromagnetic Spectrum
  • Radiation
  • Light
Related Missions
  • James Webb Space Telescope (Astro)
Material Cost per Learner Free
Language English

This interactive resource explains how astronomers study the universe using light, particles, and gravitational waves together through multimessenger astronomy. Just as humans experience the world through different senses like sight, touch, taste, hearing, and smell, astronomers now use multiple cosmic messengers to gather information. Students learn how scientists combine data from electromagnetic radiation, cosmic particles, and space-time ripples called gravitational waves to gain deeper understanding of cosmic objects and events than any single method could provide alone.

Find the resource here ↗