Curated OER
The Hand of Chandra!
In this nebula worksheet, students read about the Chandra X-ray Observatory that captured the given image of a pulsar and its nebula. Students solve 3 problems including using similar triangles and proportions to find the image width,...
Curated OER
Lifecycle of a Star
In this space science worksheet, students complete each statement with the correct word or phrase that related to the life-cycle of a star. Then they list the correct order of a stars life cycle. Students also define supernova and pulsar.
Curated OER
Timing An X-ray Pulsar
Students use X-ray data to identify an object as a rotating neutron star, and determine its period of rotation. They use XTE observations of the Crab Pulsar to determine the period of the light intensity, interpret this period as the...
University of California
University of California:center for Astrophysics & Space
Supernovae, neutron stars, and pulsars are topics on this page. Extensive section on pulsars that presents information on their discovery, characteristics, evolution, and location.
Other
Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics: A Tutorial on Radio Pulsars
A extensive site that describes the history of the discovery of pulsars along with definitions, characteristics, locations, and distances of pulsars, plus much more.
NASA
Nasa: Imagine the Universe: Supernovae Remnants
A brief description of supernova remnants with many embedded links to help define terms used in the description. The specific topics are age and the importance of remnants to us and the types. Definitions of key words are provided.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Pulsars: Little Green Men
The story behind Jocelyn Bell's role in the discovery of pulsars is told in this colorful, comic-book-style resource from A Science Odyssey Web site.
Cornell University
Cornell University: Astronomy: Frequently Asked Questions
Definintions for pulsars, millisecond pulsars, the evolution of pulsars, neutron stars and "Black Widows." Features related links.
University of Illinois
University of Illinois: Stars and Constellations: Neutron Stars and Pulsars
This resource provides a brief description of the relationship between a neutron star and a pulsar. It details the pulsing rate and death of a pulsar.
NASA
Nasa: Astronomy Picture of the Day: Crab Nebula and Geminga in Gamma Rays
Explains that pulsars would be the brightest objects in the sky if we could see gamma-rays.
Famous Scientists
Famous Scientists: Antony Hewish
Learn about Antony Hewish, a radio astronomer who won the Nobel Prize for Physics for his work on the development of radio aperture synthesis and its role in the discovery of pulsars.
NASA
Nasa: Heasarc: What Are Pulsars?
A detailed definition of a pulsar with an explanation of the relationship of pulsars to X-ray astronomy and links to related resources.
NASA
Nasa: Imagine the Universe: Pulsars
Resource explores what a pulsar is, as well as what is currently known about this phenomenon. Content includes a focus on x-ray observations of pulsars, and gamma-ray pulsars.
Harvard University
Chandra X Ray Observatory Center: X Ray Pulsar
X-ray pulsars are explained. Features a Java applet that simulates a pulsar and allows the viewer to control the rotational speed.
NASA
Viewing the Violent Universe: What Are Gamma Rays?
The universe produces a broad range of light, only a fraction of which is visible to our eyes. Gamma rays are nonvisible light, which also includes x-rays, ultraviolet light, infrared radiation, and radio waves.
Other
American Institute Physics: Quark Stars
Collapsed stars, between white dwarfs and black holes, can be studied as quark-gluon masses, or quark-hyperon groups. Extreme pressures lead to extreme states.