Spectacular Comet McNaught, photographed on 20 January 2007 above the lights of Santiago, Chile (Credit: R. Simon).
ActivitiesStar parties, educational activities, games, and experiments for curious persons of all ages! Green Bank Star QuestHeld annually in July, Star Quest is the largest optical and radio astronomy Star Party. Enchanted SkiesHeld in October, the Enchanted Skies Star Party includes observing at an elevation of 10,000 feet. Be an Interference DetectiveRadio Astronomers battle radio pollution as they investigate the radio universe. This "pollution" results from the many items in our world that emit radio waves: our cars, home computers, and digital cameras; communications satellites, and much more. Try this activity to see what astronomers are up against!. How Radio Pictures Are MadeAlthough we study the radio universe, we don't listen! Instead, radio astronomers use computers to create images of objects in our Milky Way Galaxy, as well as distant galaxies and quasars. In this activity, learn how radio images are made. Take a Tour of OrionIf you know just one constellation in the night sky, it's likely to be Orion! The Orion region doesn't look so familiar when you examine radio images and others. Take Ron Maddalena's online tour to see what's hidden in Orion! Tour the Radio Solar SystemFind out if planets emit radio waves! Measure the Age of the UniverseUsing hydrogen spectral line data of spiral galaxies, follow in famed 20th Century astronomer Edwin Hubble's footsteps to measure the size and age of the Universe! Hands-On UniverseThese activities require Hands-On Universe image processing software.  Itty-Bitty TelescopeBuild your own working radio telescope! |
The National Radio Astronomy Observatory is a facility of the National Science Foundation operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc.