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 Cosmology (82.0K)The Cosmology Interactive allows you to play with the equations for the evolution of the Universe. You will see how the universe might evolve under certain parameters, such as the Hubble Constant and the density parameter Omega. You will see a representation of the Universe's evolution in terms of the expansion or collapse of a uniform distribution of galaxies in a window viewer in the upper right. Notice how the color of the galaxies change from red when they are expanding away from each other (redshifting) to blue (blueshifting) when they collapse back toward each other in Omega > 1 Universes. Extra Solar Planets Interactive (135.0K)Is it possible that the “wiggle” of a star can tell astronomers about worlds in other star systems? Yes, it is, and this Interactive will show you how. When planets orbit a star, they impact the motion of the star, and by observing that motion, astronomers can infer the presence, mass, and distance of the planet. Things get more complicated when there are multiple planets. Observe Earth’s impact on the Sun’s motion, and you will understand why Earth-type planets around other stars are hard to detect. Compare that to a “Hot Jupiter” and see how much more readily it can be seen. Then observe the multiple planet system to see how its much more complex interactions are reflected on the graph. Lunar Phases Interactive (124.0K)Everyone is aware that the Moon changes its appearance from day to day. This Interactive will show you why, and allow you to understand how the Moon’s phases are linked to where and when each phase appears in the sky. If it’s sunset, and the Moon is directly overhead, what phase must it be? Is it possible to see the full Moon during the day? What exactly does a “waxing gibbous” Moon look like? Playing with this Interactive will give you a real understanding of how the interplay between Moon, Earth, and Sun creates what we see. Planetary Variations Interactive (83.0K)This Interactive helps explain why Earth can retain a life-sustaining atmosphere with oxygen, but Mars cannot. Some of the same principles that apply to the Escape Velocity Interactive also apply here, like the impact of the planet’s mass. But there’s more to it with atmospheres, as surface temperature and the heaviness of the molecules also come into play. Try out some combinations of the key variables, and watch as the atmospheres evolve. You can plot multiple trials on the graph to understand what’s happening. Solar System Builder (144.0K)This Interactive will allow students to build their own solar system by placing planets of different masses at different locations and watching these systems evolve. Choose from a Sun and Earth system; our solar system up to Saturn; or 2,000 randomly selected systems. Watch how a Hot Jupiter interacts with a Mercury-sized planet, or how Saturn interacts with a Mars-sized planet. What will happen? Check out the Interactive and see for yourself. |