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Cloud chamber: radioactivity in a cosmic setting

Cloud chambers are boxes specially made to detect charged particles and radiation. In this activity, a cloud chamber, made from a plastic fish tank or terrarium, is used to observe alpha and beta particles.  The suggested source used in the cloud chamber is a thoriated welding rod.  Dry ice is used ...

Taking photographs from the International Space Station

During his mission to the International Space Station, Tim Peake shared many spectacular photographs of the Earth. During this interview, recorded in  March 2017, he talks about taking the photographs and what such images can be used for. The teacher guide will help you find the segment or sections that are most...

Star trails and sidereal day

Produced by the Royal Observatory Greenwich, this booklet introduces the sidereal day and shows how star trials can be used to calculate the length of one sidereal day. Included in the booklet are instructions on how to create a star trial photograph using a DSLR or bridge camera. Supporting documents that help the...

Hubble’s law

Produced by the Royal Observatory Greenwich, this collection introduces Hubble’s law and the expansion of the Universe. Included is an online video that discusses how big the Universe is. Material is differentiated for key stage four and key stage five students. The key stage five content links the recessional...

Alien worlds and the Doppler effect

Produced by the Royal Observatory Greenwich, this booklet gives instructions on a practical demonstration of the Doppler effect. The practical uses a portable speaker an audio software to calculate the change in frequency. Included is an online video that shows the demonstration and places it in the context of...

60 second adventures in microgravity: behind the scenes

This short film explains how the 60 second adventures in microgravity series was put together. It features some of the researchers, animators and script writers involved.

These series of animations explain what microgravity is and how it is used in research both on the ground and in space.  They are designed by researchers from the Open University and narrated by the actor/comedian David Mitchell.

In 2016, European Space Agency Astronaut, Tim Peake, carried out a series of experiments on the International Space Station, using equipment designed by the National Space Academy.

The overall programme includes the following topics from UK physics and chemistry secondary school curricula:

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Since ancient times, humans have gazed at the stars and tried to understand the night sky. This process continues today with observations still made by the naked eye but also with sophisticated telescopes and instruments that look at infra-red, ultraviolet, microwave and other wavelengths. This collection contains...

The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) is an independent, non-departmental public body. It is a science-driven organisation, making it possible for a broad range of scientists to do the highest quality research tackling some of the most fundamental scientific questions. This collection contains...

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