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Join NASA's Universe of Learning for an exciting opportunity to use real astronomical data and tools to create your own images of the Crab Nebula. Use your images to explore how this dynamic dead star behaves across different types of light and how it is changing with time. Or just create an image that you think is beautiful. You can capture your own real-time telescope image using the MicroObservatory robotic telescope network. You can also work with an archival set of data files taken with multi-wavelength NASA, ESA, and CSA space telescope missions (Webb, Hubble, Chandra, and XMM-Newton).
The NASA’s Astrophoto Challenge provides learners of all levels authentic experiences using real astrophysics data, including those from NASA's space-based missions. Participants engage in the scientific practices of a scientist through accessible data tools and experiences while they create and share their composite images.
The NASA’s Astrophoto Challenge includes instructions about how to turn the data into beautiful composite 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 a short video by professional astronomers. These subject matter experts share the science behind the Crab Nebula as observed over time and across the electromagnetic spectrum. Submit your creations to the challenges and they may be highlighted as standout entries that are commented on by scientists.
Join the NASA's Astrophoto Challenge: https://mo-www.cfa.harvard.edu/OWN/astrophoto. The challenges are open December 18, 2023 thorough February 29, 2024.
You can also learn about the life and death of stars and the Crab Nebula for yourselves at NASA's Universe of Learning: https://universe-of-learning.org/about-us/in-the-news/crab-nebula