1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:06,000 Hey, how would you like to use the web and real images from the Hubble Space Telescope 2 00:00:06,000 --> 00:00:09,000 to estimate the number of galaxies in the universe? 3 00:00:09,000 --> 00:00:13,000 And then compare your findings with those made by real astronomers. 4 00:00:13,000 --> 00:00:15,000 Dr. Shelley Canright has the scoop. 5 00:00:17,000 --> 00:00:20,000 I'm here at the Science Museum of Virginia in Richmond, 6 00:00:20,000 --> 00:00:24,000 home of the Ethel Corporation IMAX Dome and Planetarium. 7 00:00:24,000 --> 00:00:27,000 This is a wonderful place to visit. 8 00:00:27,000 --> 00:00:30,000 It has over 250 hands-on interactive exhibits 9 00:00:30,000 --> 00:00:34,000 where visitors will find that learning science is a whole lot of fun. 10 00:00:34,000 --> 00:00:37,000 But you know what? If we go inside the museum, 11 00:00:37,000 --> 00:00:40,000 we're going to find a computer lab where some students are waiting for us, 12 00:00:40,000 --> 00:00:44,000 where they're going to share with us the featured online activity for NASA Connect. 13 00:00:44,000 --> 00:00:46,000 Come on, let's go inside. 14 00:00:48,000 --> 00:00:52,000 As we have learned how these students use the Internet to explore new knowledge, 15 00:00:52,000 --> 00:00:54,000 with the Hubble Space Telescope, 16 00:00:54,000 --> 00:00:57,000 scientists can now begin exploring the outer reaches of the universe. 17 00:00:57,000 --> 00:01:01,000 In December 1995, a dark section of the sky near the Big Dipper 18 00:01:01,000 --> 00:01:06,000 was selected for a prolonged observation using cameras located on the telescope. 19 00:01:06,000 --> 00:01:11,000 For 100 hours over a 10-day period, the telescope was pointed at this part of the sky. 20 00:01:11,000 --> 00:01:14,000 We called this the Hubble Deep Field. 21 00:01:14,000 --> 00:01:17,000 What the Hubble saw were thousands of stars and galaxies 22 00:01:17,000 --> 00:01:19,000 beyond what we could see with our own eyes. 23 00:01:19,000 --> 00:01:24,000 In other words, it confirmed the idea that the universe is a really, really big place. 24 00:01:24,000 --> 00:01:28,000 In this show, we are featuring the Hubble Deep Field Academy, 25 00:01:28,000 --> 00:01:31,000 produced by the Space Telescope Science Institute. 26 00:01:31,000 --> 00:01:34,000 The Academy consists of five sections. 27 00:01:34,000 --> 00:01:38,000 The first one gets you oriented to the website and to your mission, 28 00:01:38,000 --> 00:01:41,000 to explore the galaxies of the Hubble Deep Field 29 00:01:41,000 --> 00:01:44,000 and fulfill one of humankind's longtime goals 30 00:01:44,000 --> 00:01:47,000 of seeing as far as possible into the universe 31 00:01:47,000 --> 00:01:50,000 in an attempt to understand our origins. 32 00:01:50,000 --> 00:01:54,000 The first activity, called Stellar Statistician, 33 00:01:54,000 --> 00:02:00,000 introduces you to an estimating technique scientists use called representative sampling. 34 00:02:00,000 --> 00:02:05,000 By counting the number of space objects in a small section of the deep field photograph, 35 00:02:05,000 --> 00:02:09,000 then multiplying that by the number of total sections, 36 00:02:09,000 --> 00:02:13,000 you'll get an estimate of the number of objects in the whole deep field. 37 00:02:14,000 --> 00:02:19,000 Activity 2 lets you classify selected objects based on their color and shape. 38 00:02:19,000 --> 00:02:24,000 You'll choose a camera, then try to classify the 15 numbered objects in the picture. 39 00:02:24,000 --> 00:02:29,000 Then you will see how your choices compare with those made by astronomers. 40 00:02:29,000 --> 00:02:36,000 Activity 3 presents you with the problem of determining the distances between Earth and objects in space. 41 00:02:37,000 --> 00:02:43,000 You'll look at six objects and determine by observation what their relative distances are from the Earth. 42 00:02:43,000 --> 00:02:48,000 Then you'll get to compare your answers with those of the astronomers. 43 00:02:48,000 --> 00:02:51,000 The last activity is a review of what you learned. 44 00:02:51,000 --> 00:02:53,000 You'll answer questions like, 45 00:02:53,000 --> 00:02:56,000 What is the difference between a galaxy and a star? 46 00:02:56,000 --> 00:03:01,000 Why isn't a galaxy's size alone useful in determining its distance from Earth? 47 00:03:01,000 --> 00:03:05,000 We've just scratched the surface of this website. 48 00:03:05,000 --> 00:03:09,000 Along the way, you'll get to view animations and see diagrams 49 00:03:09,000 --> 00:03:13,000 that further explain facts and concepts related to the Hubble Deep Field. 50 00:03:13,000 --> 00:03:19,000 I'm sure you'll find it to be a fascinating extension to what you've already learned in today's program. 51 00:03:19,000 --> 00:03:25,000 And speaking of extensions, let me introduce you to another exciting website, space.com. 52 00:03:25,000 --> 00:03:30,000 It's devoted to space news with a special portal to spacekids.com. 53 00:03:30,000 --> 00:03:33,000 There you will find an interactive photo gallery of Hubble images. 54 00:03:33,000 --> 00:03:38,000 Compare galaxies, contrast different kinds of images of the same exploding star. 55 00:03:38,000 --> 00:03:41,000 Find out about the astronomer Edwin Hubble 56 00:03:41,000 --> 00:03:46,000 and follow the drama of scientists and astronauts who fixed the telescope when it broke. 57 00:03:46,000 --> 00:03:53,000 Both the Hubble Academy and spacekids.com can be accessed through Norfolk's lab on the NASA Connect website. 58 00:03:53,000 --> 00:03:56,000 Oh, and special thanks to the Science Museum of Virginia 59 00:03:56,000 --> 00:04:01,000 and our AIAA student mentor from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. 60 00:04:01,000 --> 00:04:04,000 So, you see, the data from the Hubble is being used now, 61 00:04:04,000 --> 00:04:10,000 but there is a need for even bigger telescopes that can see even deeper into space and collect more information.