Astronomy and Astrophysics
Classroom resources for you
Use these interactive resources in your classroom
These fantastic interactive pages were created by Sam, to describe different topics in astrophysics that you might use in the classroom. Learn how our solar system formed, what is an accretion disk, how the proton-proton chain works or simply explore our stellar neigbourhood.
Created by us for you
A virtual visit to JPL
We took this photo of the Mission Control at JPL in July 2024 – when we visited them.
Fortunately, they put together a virtual visit as well.
the deep space network
In July 2024, we visited JPL in Califonia together with 23 students from Mount Maunganui and their teachers, Jim and Anita. One of the most incredible things we saw was an art installation created to show when downlinks or uplinks from the Deep Space Network are being received or sent at JPL.
Here is our host, Sarah Marcotte, holding a replica of the Perseverance Drill. The Deep Space Network installation is to the right – the small LED tower is it!!
This serendipitous photo was taken at the exact moment a data transmission was passing through the Deep Space Network.
The star Puanga – Rigel is the blue star above Orion’s belt. Photo: Hari
News and events curated by us
Tauranga STEM festival was held on 2nd of October 2022
Sydney was the fabulous host for the latest CAP conference where an international audience learned how astronomy is communicated with the public around the world.
Milky-way Kiwi attended New Zealand's first aerospace summit, on 5th of October 2022. The conference had more than 300 delegates participation and a programme with keynote addresses from Rocket Lab CEO Peter Beck and NASA Deputy Administrator and former astronaut Pamela Melroy. The theme of the conference was "Building an Aerospace Nation”.
