Science Briefing: NASA’s Astrophoto Challenge - Cassiopeia A
Location
Virtual
Contact Information
About Event
In this edition of NASA’s Universe of Learning Science Briefings, we will learn how participants in NASA’s Astrophoto Challenge can create spectacular images of the Cassiopeia A (Cas A) supernova remnant. We will also be introduced to the scientific study of Cas A, including what we have learned about the supernova explosion and how building blocks of life emerge from such explosions. In addition, we will learn about more advanced modeling of multiwavelength observations of the remnant that shed light on the progenitor star.
Ms. Mary Dussault will provide an overview of how facilitators can help learners create their own amazing images of the Cas A supernova remnant, using either real NASA space telescope data, or data they request themselves from our small ground-based robotic telescopes.
Dr. Danny Milisavljevic will present a scientific exploration of the supernova remnant Cas A, which is one of the most important examples of a stellar debris field that we can use to understand how stars explode and make the raw materials needed for life.
Dr. Salvatore Orlando will show how advanced numerical models describe the evolution of Cas A, and enable the interpretation of multi-wavelength observations, thereby giving insight into supernova explosions and the final phases of the evolution of the star that exploded.
About the Series
The NASA’s Universe of Learning Science Briefings are professional learning telecons for the informal science education community, done in partnership with the NASA’s Museum & Informal Education Alliance, now found on NASA CONNECTS. These monthly thematic briefings highlight current NASA astrophysics explorations and discoveries from across the suite of NASA astrophysics missions. NASA scientists and engineers provide contemporary science results, and are able to respond to listener questions during the telecon. NASA-developed education and outreach resources, matched to the monthly theme, are included in every briefing.
In order to participate in the telecon and ask questions of the scientists, please join NASA’s Museum & Informal Education Alliance.
Facilitator & Presenters
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Ms. Mary Dussault is a Learning Designer and Program Manager in the Science Education Department at the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian, where she works with a team of talented educators, scientists, and media and technology developers. She has spent her career researching and developing science learning experiences for a variety of settings: designed exhibit spaces and informal learning environments for the classroom, online, and teacher professional development programs. Her work focuses on translating educational research into practice: using what we know about how people learn and what motivates STEM interest and identity to design powerful and effective learning experiences. -
Dr. Danny Milisavljevic is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Purdue University. Previously he held positions at Harvard University and the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. He uses telescopes on Earth and in space to understand the many types of cosmic explosions that make up the dynamic universe. Most recently, he is the Principal Investigator of a James Webb Space Telescope survey of the supernova remnant Cas A. -
Dr. Salvatore Orlando is a Senior Scientist at the National Institute for Astrophysics (INAF) Astronomical Observatory of Palermo (Italy). He has expertise in multidimensional modeling, including the physics of accretion processes in young stellar objects to the evolution of nova outbursts, as well as the physics of supernovae and their remnants. He completed his PhD in physics at the University of Palermo, with part of his studies conducted at the Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics at the University of Chicago. Prior to his current position, he worked as a research fellow for two years at the European Space Agency (ESA) in the Netherlands. -
Dr. Seppo Laine is a Staff Scientist at Caltech/IPAC. He was a member of the Science User Support and IRAC instrument support teams of the Spitzer Space Telescope from 2002 to 2021. He is currently involved in the formulation of the Roman Space Telescope’s Science Support Center at IPAC and in the IPAC Communications and Education team. His scientific interests include low surface brightness objects, and galaxy dynamics and interactions.
Event Resources
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Slide Presentation PPT
37 MB -
Resources PDF
275 KB