By Length
Full (4-12 min)
Short (1-4 min)
By Date
2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021
2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017
2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013
2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009
2008 | 2007 | 2006
By Category
Solar System
Stars
White Dwarfs
Supernovas
Neutron Stars
Black Holes
Milky Way Galaxy
Normal Galaxies
Quasars
Groups of Galaxies
Cosmology/Deep Field
Miscellaneous
HTE
STOP
Space Scoop for Kids!
Chandra Sketches
Light
AstrOlympics
Quick Look
Visual Descriptions
Subscribe
How To
RSS Reader
Audio-only format podcast
Web Shortcuts
Chandra Blog
RSS Feed
Chronicle
Email Newsletter
News & Noteworthy
Image Use Policy
Questions & Answers
Glossary of Terms
Download Guide
Get Adobe Reader


A Tour of 3D Visualizations

View/Listen
Since ancient times, the study of astronomy has largely been limited to the flat, two-dimensional projection of what appears on the sky. However, just like a botanist puts a plant under a microscope or a paleontologist digs for fossils, astronomers want more "hands on" ways to analyze objects in space.

As one decade ends and another begins, astronomers are exploring ways to combine ingenious techniques with rich datasets from powerful modern telescopes to move from studying objects in two dimensions to studying them in three.

These computer simulations represent an exciting step in that direction. Each of these is a three-dimensional (3D) visualization of an astronomical object based on data from NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory and other X-ray observatories. While unable to fly to these distant objects and travel around them, astronomers have used the data they can gather from Chandra and other X-ray observatories to learn about the geometry, velocity, and other physical properties of each of these cosmic sources.

Each of these computer simulations is available to the public on free software that is supported by most platforms and browsers and allows users to interact with and navigate 3D models as they choose. The objects include jets blasting away from infant stars, a star that changes its brightness wildly over time, and some of the most well-known supernova explosions such as Cassiopeia A and SN 1987A. We invite you to explore these cosmic objects like you never have before.

Return to Podcasts