2024 NASA's Astrophoto Challenge (Summer)

20 May 2024
5 Aug 2024

Location

Virtual

About Event

Make your own image of the Cassiopeia A (Cas A) with NASA’s Astrophoto Challenge using James Webb Space Telescope data. 

Join NASA's Universe of Learning for an exciting opportunity to use real astronomical data and tools to create your own images of Cas A. Use your images to explore the supernova remnant or focus on creating an image that you think is beautiful. You can capture your own real-time telescope image using the MicroObservatory robotic telescope network, or work with a set of data files taken with multi-wavelength space-based missions from NASA, ESA, and CSA (Hubble, Webb, Chandra, Spitzer). 

Visit the NASA’s Astrophoto Challenge page for more information about the project, and see how to work with NASA data by reviewing past challenges.

Location

Virtual

Cassiopeia A resembles a disk of electric light with red clouds, glowing white streaks, red and orange flames, and an area near the center of the remnant resembling a somewhat circular region of green lightning. X-rays from Chandra are blue and reveal hot gas, mostly from supernova debris from the destroyed star. X-rays are also present as thin arcs in the outer regions of the remnant. Infrared data from Webb is red, green, and blue. Hubble data shows a multitude of stars that permeate the field of view.

The NASA’s Astrophoto Challenge provides learners of all familiarity levels authentic experiences using real astrophysics data, including those from NASA space-based missions. Participants engage in the scientific practices of a scientist through accessible data tools and experiences while they create and share composite images.

The NASA’s Astrophoto Challenge includes instructions to help participants turn data into beautiful images with a simple and free web-based image processing tool used by professional astronomers. The JS9 image processing tool is widely used by the astronomical community to process and analyze the data from the world’s premiere research telescopes. NASA’s Astrophoto Challenge uses a version of this tool, JS9-4L, developed for learners.

The challenge also features short videos by professional astronomers. These subject matter experts provide science content knowledge of the target observed across the electromagnetic spectrum. Submit your creations to the challenge and they may be highlighted as standout entries commented on by scientists.