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Shape of the Universe

Related Article: Learn more about the universe.

Learn about the forms and contours of the universe.

browse videos in astronomy

Chandra: Giant Planets (4:13)

Watch this NASA video to understand how x-rays can teach us more about giant planets. The Chandra X-Ray Space Observatory has seen surprising astrophysics in action while studying Jupiter and Saturn, the two biggest planets in our solar system.

Chandra: Galaxy Clusters (5:25)

Watch this NASA video to learn more about galaxy clusters. Galaxy clusters are formed because of the strong gravitational pull that galaxies have. Scientists are now capable of studying dark and luminous matter in galaxies because of these clusters.

Shape of the Universe (2:34)

Learn about the forms and contours of the universe.

Spitzer: Extrasolar Spectras (3:11)

Watch this NASA video to learn how NASA scientists research two gas giants in a far away galaxy. They studied the planets' spectras to help gather measurements and determine the atmospheric conditions.

Chandra: Event Horizon (5:38)

Watch this NASA video to learn what a black hole and how it works. Black holes are created whenever matter collapses onto itself. When anything gets too close it gets pulled in - even light. How close is too close? That's called the event horizon.

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Science Investigations: Investigating Astronomy (3:21)

Learn more about investigating astronomy in this video.

Spin Around the Solar System: Quiz on the Stars (3:45)

Find out how much you've learned about the stars by taking this video quiz.

Spin Around the Solar System: Dying Stars (2:22)

When a star runs out of fuel, it may take one of several paths to “death.” A dwarf star is very small. The most massive stars can collapse to form black holes. Some stars explode, creating novas or supernovas.

Spin Around the Solar System: How Stars Form (2:44)

Stars form when gravity causes material in a nebula to condense into a large sphere. When enough material has been accreted, the pressure inside the sphere is great enough to cause hydrogen atoms to fuse into helium and release immense amounts of... More »

Spin Around the Solar System: Beyond the Milky Way (3:19)

More galaxies lie outside the Milky Way; most can only be seen by telescopes. Because many of the galaxies are far away, light takes a long time to travel to us and can act as a “time machine.”

Spin Around the Solar System: Interstellar Filler (1:58)

The interstellar medium is very sparse. Places where more matter is gathered together are called nebulas. Space also contains energy in the form of cosmic rays, radio waves, X-rays, light and heat.

Spin Around the Solar System: Where in the World We Are (2:23)

Earth is the third planet from the sun. The solar system is located in the Orion Arm of the Milky Way galaxy.

Spin Around the Solar System: Starry Starry Night (1:16)

People have been asking questions about the stars throughout history. Many stars seem to form shapes in the sky, which are called constellations.

Investigating Astronomy: Neutron Stars and Black Holes (8:37)

Take a look at this video to learn more about the enigmatic nature of neutron stars and black holes.

Investigating Astronomy: Mars (7:41)

Check out this video for a close-up look at the planet Mars.