Stars, Nebulae, Galaxies

NASA has been responsible for some fantastic images of space, especially from the Hubble Space Telescope. These are a few of the images of stars, nebulae and galaxies. More images are available from the  NASA website

Space Shuttle Mission Images

The space shuttle has been used by NASA as a re-usable orbiter since 1981. The programme's last flight is scheduled for 2011. These resources show all stages of a mission, from launch to landing. It includes a video of the launch of the space shuttle Atlantis.

Rocket Images and Video

NASA's Space Shuttle may be a well-known launch vehicle, but the majority of launches still take place using rockets. These regularly carry satellites into orbit. These materials show images of rockets, such as the Saturn V which powered the Apollo missions and current Delta and Atlas rockets. There is also a...

Rockets and Momentum

Work done in this Nuffield 13 - 16 module followed from the B unit called ‘Machines and engines’ and the S unit called ‘Fuels’. This S unit provided enough material for eight double periods during a single-certificate science course. The teachers’ guide included seven worksheets to supplement the students’ booklet...

Out of this World

Work done in this Nuffield 13 - 16 module followed from the S unit called ‘Cars on the move’. This D unit provided enough material for eight double periods during a Further Science course and built on the content of the S units for Single Science. 

The teachers’ guide included 15 worksheets to supplement the...

Is There Anybody Out There?

A Catalyst article about the Kepler spacecraft, which is used to look for extra-solar planets. Scientists are hoping to shine light on the age old question of life’s existence elsewhere in the Universe using a new space-based telescope named Kepler. Launched on 6 March 2009, Kepler is searching the sky for small,...

Lucie Green - Astronomer

A Catalyst article describing Lucie Green's work as an astronomer and broadcaster on the Sky at Night programme. The article looks at her education and research career together with information on her work outside of broadcasting.

This article is from Catalyst: Secondary Science Review 2008, Volume 19, Issue...

Impact Earth

A Catalyst article about giant asteroids. Astronomers say that, one day, a giant rock from space will collide with the Earth and cause mass devastation. This could lead to the extinction of many species, including humans. The article looks at what can be done to prepare for such an impact and what happened when a...

Yes, It Is Rocket Science

A Catalyst article looking at the methods used to power rockets. Solid rocket boosters and liquid fuel rockets are the two main propulsion systems used to power rockets and solar power is used to drive electrical equipment. This article looks at these power systems and the future for rocket science.

This...

Exploring Saturn

A Catalyst article following the journey of the space probes Huygens and Cassini, sent to explore Titan, a moon of Saturn. After a seven year journey Huygens was set to fall through the atmosphere transmitting data back to Earth via Cassini so more can be learnt about this distant moon. The article describes the...