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Star (X-ray) Light, Star (X-ray) Bright (02-28-2007)
Remember the line from the children's saying that goes: "Starlight, star bright, first star I see tonight"? Looking at the light from stars is exactly how astronomers can learn about them.
- Related Links:
-- Normal Stars & Star Clusters
Remember the line from the children's saying that goes: "Starlight, star bright, first star I see tonight"? Looking at the light from stars is exactly how astronomers can learn about them.
- Download Video (28.7 MB, Runtime: 4:13)
- With closed-captions (at YouTube)
- Listen to Audio Only
- Transcript
- Related Links:
-- Normal Stars & Star Clusters

Snowball Fight in the Solar System (01-22-2007)
One of the most surprising objects observed in X-rays are comets. X-rays are normally associated with the hottest things in the Universe, such as black holes. Comets, however, were described by Fred Whipple as being "dirty snowballs". So how does a snowball make X-rays?
- Related Links:
-- Comet C/1999 S4 (LINEAR
One of the most surprising objects observed in X-rays are comets. X-rays are normally associated with the hottest things in the Universe, such as black holes. Comets, however, were described by Fred Whipple as being "dirty snowballs". So how does a snowball make X-rays?
- Download Video (26.6 MB, Runtime: 4:36)
- With closed-captions (at YouTube)
- Listen to Audio Only
- Transcript
- Related Links:
-- Comet C/1999 S4 (LINEAR

Black Holes: Tall, Grande, Venti (12-31-2006)
Long before astronomers found evidence that black holes existed, these exotic objects have captured imaginations. In the 21st century, scientists not only have proof that black holes are real, they continue to make startling discoveries both about individual black holes examples and about their populations across the Universe.
Long before astronomers found evidence that black holes existed, these exotic objects have captured imaginations. In the 21st century, scientists not only have proof that black holes are real, they continue to make startling discoveries both about individual black holes examples and about their populations across the Universe.
- Download Video (24 MB, Runtime: 5:25)
- With closed-captions (at YouTube)
- Listen to Audio Only
- Transcript

Giants of the Universe Probe Cosmic Questions (11-30-2006)
Clusters of galaxies are the largest structures in the Universe that are held together by gravity. Because of their immense size and mass, galaxy clusters are extremely useful as tools to probe a variety of questions about the Universe as a whole as well as properties of the clusters themselves.
- Related Links:
-- Groups & Clusters of Galaxies
Clusters of galaxies are the largest structures in the Universe that are held together by gravity. Because of their immense size and mass, galaxy clusters are extremely useful as tools to probe a variety of questions about the Universe as a whole as well as properties of the clusters themselves.
- Download Video (24 MB, Runtime: 5:25)
- With closed-captions (at YouTube)
- Listen to Audio Only
- Transcript
- Related Links:
-- Groups & Clusters of Galaxies

Supernovas: When Stars Die (10-30-2006)
When a star explodes, it leaves behind a debris field of stellar material and high-energy particles known as a supernova remnant. Astronomers use Chandra to study these remnants that can produce intense X-ray radiation for thousands of years. Supernova remnants are responsible for seeding cloud that formed our Sun, planets, and ultimately us with elements like nitrogen and oxygen.
When a star explodes, it leaves behind a debris field of stellar material and high-energy particles known as a supernova remnant. Astronomers use Chandra to study these remnants that can produce intense X-ray radiation for thousands of years. Supernova remnants are responsible for seeding cloud that formed our Sun, planets, and ultimately us with elements like nitrogen and oxygen.
- Download Video (22.2 MB, Runtime: 4:39)
- With closed-captions (at YouTube)
- Listen to Audio Only
- Transcript

Please note: These podcasts include artist illustrations and conceptual animations in addition to astronomical data.