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Astrophysics @ NASA Goddard

Learn about astrophysics research, missions, and educational programs at NASA Goddard, including hands-on activities for students and resources for teachers.

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Astrophysics @ NASA Goddard

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  1. The Universe Beyond the Solar System… Astrophysics @ NASA Goddard Anita Krishnamurthi Education and Public Outreach Lead Astrophysics Science Division NASA Goddard Space Flight Center http://astrophysics.gsfc.nasa.gov

  2. Goddard • Goddard Space Flight Center is one of 10 NASA centers • Located in Greenbelt, Maryland • Largest science center for NASA • Sciences and Exploration Directorate is composed of • Astrophysics Science Division • Solar System • Heliophysics • Earth Science http://astrophysics.gsfc.nasa.gov

  3. Astrophysics Science DivisionLabs and Missions • Astroparticle physics [Balloon programs, Swift, Integral, GLAST…] • X-ray Astrophysics [RXTE, Suzaku, XMM-Newton, Constellation-X] • Observational Cosmology [Balloon programs, WMAP, JDEM, JWST…] • Gravitational Astrophysics [Theoretical work, LISA] • Exoplanets and Stellar Astrophysics [Instruments on Hubble, Spitzer, JWST, TPF…] http://astrophysics.gsfc.nasa.gov

  4. What we study…. • The Early Universe • Galaxies • Stars • Black Holes and Neutron Stars • Gamma Ray Bursts • Extra-solar planets • Gravitational Waves (Theory) • Technology Development http://astrophysics.gsfc.nasa.gov

  5. Challenges and opportunities for communicating with the public Challenges: • Large range of science themes and missions • High-energy astrophysics is not very visual • “Exotic” science Opportunities: • “Exotic” science! People are fascinated… • Can discuss a wide variety of astronomy topics • Highlight importance of multi-wavelength astronomy • Show technology  science interdependence http://astrophysics.gsfc.nasa.gov

  6. Evidence of public interest… http://astrophysics.gsfc.nasa.gov

  7. Reaching the public… Wide range of projects and programs for a variety of audiences: “Influentials” Press Policy-makers Classrooms - Curriculum support - Training workshops - Teacher programs http://astrophysics.gsfc.nasa.gov

  8. Reaching the public… Out-of-school-time - Afterschool programs - Girl Scouts - Family Science Nights General public Websites, Podcast, Public Talks, DVDs, Brochures http://astrophysics.gsfc.nasa.gov

  9. Imagine the Universe! • Popular website targeted at general public (~1 million visits/month) • Has “Ask-an-Astrophysicist” feature • “Teacher’s Corner” has curriculum support materials as well tools for analyzing data http://imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov/ http://astrophysics.gsfc.nasa.gov

  10. Beyond Einstein Explorers’ Program (BEEP) • Out-of-school-time program teaches middle-school kids about the Universe beyond the solar system • Kids that age really interested in “complex” science, but not much opportunity to learn about them • Currently 12 sessions – steps through basics and introduces content such as life cycles of stars, black holes, galaxies… • Flexibly structured beyondeinstein.nasa.gov/education/BEEP/ http://astrophysics.gsfc.nasa.gov

  11. BEEP (contd.) • Very hands-on, incorporates art and movement • Piloted with small group in 2006 and tested nation-wide in 2007 • “It changed my idea of how big the Universe really is.” • “I was more enthused about astronomy because I now have a better understanding.” • Widely available in Spring 2008 – detailed downloadable PDF manual + materials list http://astrophysics.gsfc.nasa.gov

  12. Worlds Beyond • Educational art project exploring the topic of exoplanets • Students learn about detection techniques and “adopt” an exoplanet • Translate their scientific knowledge into art • Successfully piloted in 2007 http://www.jwst.nasa.gov/worldsbeyond/index.html http://astrophysics.gsfc.nasa.gov

  13. Opportunities for IYA • Including the themes of IYA into our existing programming • Share our programs with people like you • Develop some new programming around technology development – JWST presents an opportunity to highlight how far we’ve come since Galileo! We’re open to other ideas! http://astrophysics.gsfc.nasa.gov

  14. Contact us! Anita.Krishnamurthi@nasa.gov http://astrophysics.gsfc.nasa.gov (and) http://astrophysics.gsfc.nasa.gov/outreach/ http://astrophysics.gsfc.nasa.gov

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