Download The Superhero's Universe: Observing the Cosmos with X-ray Vision and Beyond

The Superhero's Universe:
Observing the Cosmos with
X-ray Vision and Beyond
Michelle B. Larson
Our Universe
The Power of Observation
The Power of Observation
Our Universe
Astronomer’s Toolbox
Astronomer’s Toolbox
Visible-light: Human Vision
Galaxy: Centaurus A
★ Discovered in 1847
★ 14 million light-years away
★ 5th brightest visible galaxy
X-ray: Super Vision
Galaxy: Centaurus A
Multi-wavelength: Mighty Vision
Galaxy: Centaurus A
Putting it all together
Galaxy: Centaurus A
Centaurus A
★ radio observations over a
decade indicate that gas
near the center is moving
about half of the speed of
light
★ supermassive black hole at
the center
Centaurus A
★ infrared observations
indicate Centaurus A
is going through a
galaxy collision by
devouring a spiral
galaxy
Astronomer’s Toolbox
Astronomer’s Toolbox
Cooler
Hotter
Do You See What I See?
Crab Nebula
★ Discovered in 1054, first observed in 1731
★ 6500 light years away
★ Expanding at 1,500 kilometers per second
Do You See What I See?
Do You See What I See?
Do You See What I See?
Do You See What I See?
Do You See What I See?
Do You See What I See?
Crab Pulsar: On-again, Off-again
★ Spinning
neutron
star
(pulsar)
located at
center of
nebula
Crab Nebula:
Shedding “Light” on our Neighborhood
★ Sun's corona mapped from
observations of the Crab's radio
waves passing through it.
★ The thickness of the atmosphere
of Saturn's moon Titan
measured as it blocked X-rays
from the Crab.
A Distant Laboratory
Our Star the Sun
★ 8 light minutes away
★ Surface Temperature 5,500 C
★ Gas surface contains hydrogen (74%), helium (24%), and
trace amounts of iron, nickel, oxygen, silicon, sulfur,
magnesium, carbon, neon, calcium, and chromium
A Distant Laboratory
A Distant Laboratory
A Distant Laboratory
A Distant Laboratory
A Distant Laboratory
A Distant Laboratory
★ Solar storms interrupt satellite operations, disrupt power
grids and create beautiful aurora
Solar Superheros
Astronomer’s Toolbox
Observe for Yourself
H
He
N
Superhero Scientists
Just like you!
Arcturus vs. Procyon
Arcturus vs. Procyon
Arcturus vs. Procyon
The Universe Rocks!
Fluorescent Minerals
Tyuyamunite
Gypsum
Scapolit
e
Zippeite
Benitoit
e
The Pluto Planet Debate
Science Unwrapped in June
New Eyes on the Universe
Science Unwrapped in October