Astronomy Archives – Science in School

Understand

February 1, 2023 | Issue 61

Hubble helps discover a new type of planet largely composed of water

A whole new world: you may have heard of rocky planets, gas giants and ice giants, but what about water worlds? Learn about the discovery of an entirely new planet type.

Ages: 11-14, 14-16, 16-19;
Topics: Astronomy / space, News from the EIROs

Understand

November 2, 2022 | Issue 60

Mars Express peers into Mars’ ‘Grand Canyon’

Recent images from ESA's Mars Express mission show two ruptures in the martian crust that form part of a mighty canyon system.

Ages: 11-14, 14-16, 16-19;
Topics: Astronomy / space, News from the EIROs

Teach

March 20, 2018 | Issue 43

Saving the Earth Hollywood-style

Challenge your students to save the Earth from an asteroid collision, using calculations based on the Hollywood sci-fi fantasy film Armageddon.

Ages: 14-16, 16-19;
Topics: Physics, Mathematics, Astronomy / space

Understand

June 5, 2017 | Issue 40

More than meets the eye: the cold and the distant Universe

In the fifth and final article in this series on astronomy and the electromagnetic spectrum, find out how scientists use the European Space Agency’s missions to observe the sky in far-infrared, sub-millimetre and microwave light.

Ages: 14-16, 16-19;
Topics: Physics, Astronomy / space

Understand

May 30, 2017 | Issue 40

Good vibrations: how to catch a gravitational wave

Gravitational waves are among the most subtle messengers that reach us across the cosmos. But how can their infinitesimal effects be detected?

Ages: 16-19;
Topics: Physics, Astronomy / space

Teach

May 29, 2017 | Issue 40

Finding the scale of space

How do astronomers measure distances to the stars? Using a digital camera to record parallax shift is an accurate and authentic method that can be used in a classroom.

Ages: 16-19;
Topics: Physics, Mathematics, Astronomy / space