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Ask an Astronomer: How Do You Discover an Asteroid?

2 minutes 4 seconds

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Dr. Bidushi Bhattacharya explains how astronomers find tiny space rocks. Since asteroids don't move in a predictable orbit, astronomers must take a series of photographs to track the asteroids. Part of the "Ask an Astronomer" series.

Media Details

Runtime: 2 minutes 4 seconds

An Illustration depicts the three positions of the universe. The difference between the first two and the last two positions is labeled, + 2 units. The difference between the first and last positions is labeled, + 4 units. Caption: the more the expansion pushes them apart.
Ask an Astronomer
Episode 1
2 minutes 34 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12
The celestial image of a red starry surface. Caption: Where new stars are born,
Ask an Astronomer
Episode 2
2 minutes 8 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12
Sun and a red planet in outer space. Caption: we can tell what comprises the atmospheres.
Ask an Astronomer
Episode 3
3 minutes 4 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12
An image of the outer space. Caption: it's eventually blocks out all visible light.
Ask an Astronomer
Episode 4
2 minutes 30 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12
A huge mass of hot gas swirls into a star. Caption: that swirls onto the massive star.
Ask an Astronomer
Episode 5
3 minutes 29 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12
A galaxy fades out. Caption: The original galaxy would be gone.
Ask an Astronomer
Episode 6
2 minutes 7 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12
An electromagnetic spectrum with a bright star over the infrared range. Caption: Hotter objects glow in visible light.
Ask an Astronomer
Episode 7
3 minutes 16 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12
ASL
illustration of asteroids revolving the sun and other planets. Caption: Asteroids, though, move across the sky at different rates.
Ask an Astronomer
Episode 8
2 minutes 4 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12
Illustration of a wave striking an atom. Caption: The shortest wavelength light are gamma rays,
Ask an Astronomer
Episode 9
6 minutes 58 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12
Illustration of a woman talking to the Alien M51. Caption: You've got to move the earth back where it belongs.
Ask an Astronomer
Episode 10
4 minutes 26 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12