Tag: dying star
Hazy Eye
by CritterKeeper on Jan.28, 2010, under Eyes in the Sky
Credit: NASA, ESA, and The Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA)
Colorful shapes and lines play in this NASA Hubble Space Telescope image of the glowing planetary nebula IC 4593. Planetary nebula have nothing to do with planets. In the 17th and 18th centuries, astronomers peering through small telescopes looking for planets would find objects that resembled planets. Astronomers now know that these nebula are the last remains of dying Sun-like stars. As a star reaches the end of its life and the hydrogen fuel needed to sustain fusion in its core runs out, the star expands into a red giant. Eventually, however, the star collapses back on itself. This increases the temperature at its core and it explodes. Most of the star’s material is catapulted into space, forming a bubble around the star. This doesn’t happen all at once but in stages.
Horse Bubbles
by CritterKeeper on Dec.29, 2009, under Bugs, birds and other animals
Credit: NASA, ESA, and the Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA)
Whether you see horses, dolphins or a jellyfish, the green and blue bubble of NGC 2371 catches the eye in this NASA Hubble Space Telescope image.
Ringing Ornament
by CritterKeeper on Dec.22, 2009, under Eyes in the Sky
Credit: NASA & ESA
Wouldn’t it be great to put glowing ornaments like this on your Christmas tree?
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Welcome to Starry Critters!
Thanks for dropping by! This site combines incredible imagery from the Hubble Space Telescope, Spitzer Space Telescope and other great observatories with the imagination of children. Explore and share the patterns you see in the nebula, galaxies and star clusters.Note to Parents and Educators:
The main focus of the site are the images of space. We believe the explanations are best suited for parents, educators and upper grade students. Parents may find it helpful to view the site with their children and explore the universe together using the explanatory text as a guide. Background text is provided to let you know the real story behind the image. Links, very useful for parents and teachers, include definitions and will take you to other sites for even more detail.
Zoom in and out and pan around the images to find your own patterns in the stars. Be creative and think outside the box.Tell us your stories and let us know what you find! Feel free to join the discussion by leaving comments, and stay updated by subscribing to the RSS feed.
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