Junior Ranger: Sensing Astronomy

For this activity we are going to try using our senses to explore space! Complete one or more activities below to finish this section.

Hearing

Space is not silent! Celestial objects make an amazing array of sounds that scientists record and analyze. The two recordings below are actually from the Earth's atmosphere.

Activity:

• Listen closely. Can you try to describe what you are hearing?
• Can you draw a picture of the sound?
• What colors does it make you think of?

These audio files are from the University of Iowa's Space Audio website and are just a few of the sounds you can hear if you visit their site.

Terms to know:

• Whistlers: When lightning strikes, electricity flows through the flash of light which is actually glowing gas. These create audio waves, also known as radio waves, that move up through the atmosphere. They move through the layers and bounce back and forth, at higher and lower frequencies/speeds. This creates the whistling.
• Chorus: Short sounds made by rising radio frequencies that sound like birds singing at sunrise. These are created by electrons in the Earth's Van Allen radiation belts.

Please note: These definitions are very over-simplified. Please follow links to the Space Audio website or other astronomy sites for a full explanation.

Space Audio - Earth Whistlers

A sound produced by lightning creating radio waves that bounce around in the atmosphere.

Credit / Author:
University of Iowa - Space Audio: https://space-audio.org/sounds/

Date created:
03/03/2022

Earth whistlers. [fluctuating high frequency static].

Space Audio - Earth Chorus

A sound generated by the electrons in Earth's Van Allen radiation belt.

Credit / Author:
University of Iowa - Space Audio: https://space-audio.org/sounds/

Date created:
03/03/2022

Earth chorus. [high pitched fluctuating static].

NASA

Touching

The universe is filled with objects of every shape and size, from the tiniest microscopic matter to nebulas and black holes that are so large it is nearly impossible to understand. One type of shape that most people are familiar with are the constellations. These are shapes that human beings have created by drawing imaginary lines between the stars. The Orion constellation is one of the most familiar and is known all around the world. It is in the shape of a hunter from Greek mythology, wearing a belt with a dagger.

Activity:

• Can you find Orion in the night sky? Try to draw a picture or create a model of what you see or what you think the constellation looks like.
• Can you find the Big Dipper? If you can't, then describe what you think it looks like. What is a dipper? How big is the Big Dipper? How many earths could fit inside?
• If you have access to a 3D printer, here are two downloadable files that you can print (with permission). The first one is the Orion constellation. The second is a model of the beautiful Whirlpool Galaxy.
• Download a 3D printer file of the Orion constellation, a creative commons file by FreeForm: Download from this site or download from an external site.
• Download a 3D printer file of the Whirlpool Galaxy (M51), a creative commons file by Tactile Universe: Download from this site or download from an external site.

Tasting

How does space taste? This is something we bet you've been wondering for a long time. And, without jumping out of the international space station or booking a multi-million dollar ride on a near-earth orbiting rocket, there aren't many ways to experience it first hand.

Back in 2009, scientists were investigating a specific area of the sky and looking at chemical signatures in the vast dust cloud of Sagittarius B2, near the center of our galaxy. They found evidence of something called ethyl formate, which is the chemical responsible for the flavor of raspberries.

Supernova Raspberry Space Pudding Recipe

1. Put a graham cracker or animal cracker in a small bowl. Crunch it up with a spoon or your fingers.
2. Spoon your favorite yogurt on top.
3. Top with raspberries. Fresh are best, but frozen work great.
4. Freeze for an hour or eat immediately!

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Part of a series of articles titled
Junior Ranger - Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area.

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Junior Ranger: Moon Walking

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Junior Ranger: Tell Me A Story

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