Film & Animation

WorldWide Telescope: Around the Universe in Eighty Ways

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WorldWide Telescope: Around the Universe in Eighty Ways
Frank Summers, Space Telescope Science Institute

WorldWide Telescope (WWT) is free, open-source astronomy visualization software. Its well-designed interface and diverse modes of exploration make it a user-friendly and awe-inspiring public portal to the cosmos. Teachers and students use WWT for both expert-led and self-driven astronomical lessons / journeys. In addition, WWT’s robust web resource connections and data tools make it a valuable professional astronomy research environment. In January 2016, the American Astronomical Society became the institutional home of this “Universe Information System” with plans to integrate the tool into research journals and encourage its use in education and public outreach. Dr. Summers will describe and demo some of the myriad ways this software enables virtual and visual explorations of the universe.

Celestial Fireworks: Star Cluster Westerlund 2 [Ultra HD]

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Ultra HD Resolution Version (4K UHD)

The nebula Gum 29 is a star-forming region about 20,00 light-years away in the constellation Carina. At the core of the nebula is a cluster of several thousand stars called Westerlund 2. These newborn stars are approximately 2 million years old, and their light illuminates, heats, and erodes the surrounding gas. The Hubble image, utilizing both visible and infrared light observations, was released in celebration of the telescope’s 25th anniversary.

This visualization provides a three-dimensional perspective on the nebula and star cluster. The flight traverses the foreground stars and approaches the lower left rim of the nebula. Passing through the wispy darker clouds on the near side, the journey reveals bright gas illuminated by the intense radiation of the newly formed star cluster. Within the nebula, several pillars of dark, dense gas are being shaped by the energetic light and strong stellar winds from the brilliant cluster of thousands of stars. Note that the visualization is intended only as a scientifically reasonable interpretation and that distances within the model are significantly compressed.

Credit: Jay Anderson, Greg Bacon, Lisa Frattare, Zolt Levay, and Frank Summers (STScI)

Acknowledgment: The Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA), A. Nota (ESA/STScI), the Westerlund 2 Science Team, and ESO

For more information: http://hubblesite.org/newscenter/archive/releases/2015/12/

Behind the Webb: Webb’s First Eye Exam (Episode 30)

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The Webb Telescope’s Aft Optics System houses two of the mirrors that direct the light from the universe to the cameras in the observatory. In this episode of “Behind the Webb,” engineers show how they will test the alignment of the mirrors and the path of light through the telescope from end to end, ensuring proper images.
While engineers are using mostly test components, the actual Aft Optics System that will go into orbit is part of this test. As we get closer to launch, the full telescope will be tested.

Tonight’s Sky: July 2016

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Backyard stargazers get a monthly guide to the northern hemisphere’s skywatching events with “Tonight’s Sky.” In July, watch for the Delta Aquarid meteor shower.

“Tonight’s Sky” is produced by HubbleSite.org, online home of the Hubble Space Telescope. This is a recurring show, and you can find more episodes — and other astronomy videos — at HubbleSite.org.

Visit Tonight’s Sky on HubbleSite.
http://hubblesite.org/explore_astronomy/tonights_sky

Frontiers of Science and Science Fiction

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How will we discover life in the universe? What are the cosmos’ biggest unknowns? How do scientific discoveries inspire and transform the stories we tell?

Join sci-fi authors Larry Niven, Kim Stanley Robinson, Connie Willis, Charlie Stross, Joe Haldeman and Harry Turtledove and a panel of the scientists and engineers of the Hubble and Webb space telescopes as they explore the places where their worlds collide.

Get insight into the scientific and creative processes as they discuss topics ranging from why we can’t seem to find evidence of intelligent aliens to the ways that science happens in real life.

Recorded live on May 27, 2016 at the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, MD, USA.

Taking a Bath in a Giant 1,500 Gallon Coca-Cola Swimming Pool!

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This was epic! After weeks of buying thousands of Coke bottles and many more hours of opening and pouring, the magnificent Coca-Cola pool was created.

Of course, I had to add some technology destruction. 😉

PS: Yes, some Pepsi was used in the making of this video. Roughly 7% of total pool capacity.

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