Astronomy - for iPod/iPhone

The Open University

Thanks to cutting-edge radio and infra-red astronomy, our understanding of the universe is moving very fast. Ideas about black holes and cosmic jets are constantly being refined as new discoveries are made using new, more powerful telescopes. This album explores the incredible discoveries and theories developed in recent years and introduces the astronomical observatories, space missions and satellites that have made it possible. The 12 video tracks reveal that our sun, though essential for our existence, is an unremarkable member of the stellar menagerie. They describe how astronomers study the structure and dynamics of our galaxy, the Milky Way and they introduce the challenges inherent in mapping the geometry and expansion of the universe. This material forms part of the course S282 Astronomy.

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20 episodes
Updated Apr 12, 2010

Episodes20

Newest first

Apr 12, 2010 · 1 min
Astronomy
A short introduction to this album.
Apr 12, 2010
Transcript -- Astronomy
Transcript -- A short introduction to this album.
Jan 23, 2009 · 10 min
Our Invisible Sun
Scientists investigate sun spots, solar flares and arcs using x-ray telescopes, featuring the Big Bear Observatory in LA.
Jan 23, 2009
Transcript -- Our Invisible Sun
Transcript -- Scientists investigate sun spots, solar flares and arcs using x-ray telescopes, featuring the Big Bear Observatory in LA.
Jan 23, 2009 · 9 min
VLA, HEIDI & YOKOH
What would the sun look like if we had magnetically sensitive eyes? How the most sensitive radio telescopes on earth work.
Jan 23, 2009
Transcript -- VLA, HEIDI & YOKOH
Transcript -- What would the sun look like if we had magnetically sensitive eyes? How the most sensitive radio telescopes on earth work.
Jan 23, 2009 · 3 min
Is Our Sun Normal?
Astronomers compare events on other stars to helps us better understand our sun.
Jan 23, 2009
Transcript -- Is Our Sun Normal?
Transcript -- Astronomers compare events on other stars to helps us better understand our sun.
Jan 23, 2009 · 7 min
Mapping the Milky Way
The discovery of radio emissions from the Milky Way, and the theory of dark-matter.
Jan 23, 2009
Transcript -- Mapping the Milky Way
Transcript -- The discovery of radio emissions from the Milky Way, and the theory of dark-matter.
Jan 23, 2009 · 5 min
The Shape of Our Galaxy
Infra-red satellites. The DIRBE experiment on NASA's Cosmic Explorer opened a new window into the Milky Way.
Jan 23, 2009
Transcript -- The Shape of Our Galaxy
Transcript -- Infra-red satellites. The DIRBE experiment on NASA's Cosmic Explorer opened a new window into the Milky Way.
Jan 23, 2009 · 3 min
The Scale of Our Galaxy
A route map to the stars. The Hipparcos satellite measured the position of stars with better precision than ever before.
Jan 23, 2009
Transcript -- The Scale of Our Galaxy
Transcript -- A route map to the stars. The Hipparcos satellite measured the position of stars with better precision than ever before.
Jan 23, 2009 · 8 min
Radio Telescopes and Stellar Jets
The advent of radio astronomy. How radio telescopes like the Maxwell telescope in Hawaii work and what they can tell us about cosmic jets.
Jan 23, 2009
Transcript -- Radio Telescopes and Stellar Jets
Transcript -- The advent of radio astronomy. How radio telescopes like the Maxwell telescope in Hawaii work and what they can tell us about cosmic jets.
Jan 23, 2009 · 7 min
Detecting Galactic Jets
How do radio astronomers see jets far outside our galaxy? Introducing the MERLIN array in the UK and the VLA in New Mexico.
Jan 23, 2009
Transcript -- Detecting Galactic Jets
Transcript -- How do radio astronomers see jets far outside our galaxy? Introducing the MERLIN array in the UK and the VLA in New Mexico.
Jan 23, 2009 · 4 min
Measuring Black Holes
What is the connection between black holes and cosmic jets? Scientists measure the mass and gravitational energy of black holes.
Jan 23, 2009
Transcript -- Measuring Black Holes
Transcript -- What is the connection between black holes and cosmic jets? Scientists measure the mass and gravitational energy of black holes.