Science News for Kids » astrophysics http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org Publication of the Society for Science & the Public Sun, 19 May 2013 15:00:54 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 New, older age for the universe http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2013/04/new-older-age-for-the-universe/ http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2013/04/new-older-age-for-the-universe/#comments Thu, 04 Apr 2013 14:44:56 +0000 Stephen Ornes http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/?p=16305 This map shows the energy left over from shortly after the Big Bang, as mapped by the Planck space telescope. The average background temperature is about 2.7 degrees above the coldest possible temperature (known as absolute zero). Red spots are slightly warmer, while blue spots are slightly cooler. Astronomers hope this map can help them learn more about the history of the universe.

Telescope peers back to see the first light after the Big Bang]]> This map shows the energy left over from shortly after the Big Bang, as mapped by the Planck space telescope. The average background temperature is about 2.7 degrees above the coldest possible temperature (known as absolute zero). Red spots are slightly warmer, while blue spots are slightly cooler. Astronomers hope this map can help them learn more about the history of the universe.

Telescope peers back to see the first light after the Big Bang]]> http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2013/04/new-older-age-for-the-universe/feed/ 0 Home on the moon http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2013/02/home-on-the-moon/ http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2013/02/home-on-the-moon/#comments Fri, 01 Feb 2013 18:56:54 +0000 Stephen Ornes http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/?p=15520 Life on the moon — but not ours. This illustration shows two large moons orbiting a giant, gassy planet (in orange). Astronomers say the right type of moon could harbor alien life. Credit: R. Heller, AIP

Astronomers say rocky moons orbiting distant planets might support alien life ]]> Life on the moon — but not ours. This illustration shows two large moons orbiting a giant, gassy planet (in orange). Astronomers say the right type of moon could harbor alien life. Credit: R. Heller, AIP

Astronomers say rocky moons orbiting distant planets might support alien life ]]> http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2013/02/home-on-the-moon/feed/ 0 Twinkle, twinkle oldest stars http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2012/11/twinkle-twinkle-oldest-stars/ http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2012/11/twinkle-twinkle-oldest-stars/#comments Wed, 21 Nov 2012 05:01:04 +0000 Stephen Ornes http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/?p=14928 Blazars are bright galaxies that send high-powered radiation jets directly toward Earth. They can be used to detect the light in the universe left over from every star that ever shone. In this image, the blazars are shown as green dots; the Milky Way glows orange in the middle. Credit: NASA, DOE, Fermi LAT Collaboration

Astronomers find traces of ancient light in the activity of bright, distant galaxies]]> Blazars are bright galaxies that send high-powered radiation jets directly toward Earth. They can be used to detect the light in the universe left over from every star that ever shone. In this image, the blazars are shown as green dots; the Milky Way glows orange in the middle. Credit: NASA, DOE, Fermi LAT Collaboration

Astronomers find traces of ancient light in the activity of bright, distant galaxies]]> http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2012/11/twinkle-twinkle-oldest-stars/feed/ 0 Super star-maker http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2012/09/phoenix-cluster-produces-740-stars-a-year/ http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2012/09/phoenix-cluster-produces-740-stars-a-year/#comments Tue, 04 Sep 2012 18:24:41 +0000 Stephen Ornes http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/?p=13781 This artist’s drawing shows what the central galaxy of the Phoenix cluster might look like. The small blue dots represent new stars forming. Credit: NASA.gov

A distant galaxy cluster churns out stars at a whopping rate]]> This artist’s drawing shows what the central galaxy of the Phoenix cluster might look like. The small blue dots represent new stars forming. Credit: NASA.gov

A distant galaxy cluster churns out stars at a whopping rate]]> http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2012/09/phoenix-cluster-produces-740-stars-a-year/feed/ 0