Appreciating Hubble at Hyper-speed
Appreciating Hubble at Hyper-speed
Appreciating Hubble at Hyper-speed is a Java-based learning aid that uses the HST Cycle 14 Treasury Project PEARS (Probing Evolution And Reionization through Spectra) data to create a three-dimensional interactive simulation of the Hubble Ultra Deep Field. With galaxies visible from redshifts z = 0.05 to z = 6.5, the data represents the deepest optical image of the Universe ever obtained, spanning nearly 90% of its history. It is precisely this depth that makes the data uniquely suited for teaching cosmology.
The simulation allows you explore the HUDF using a virtual telescope which may be moved forward, backward, and side-to-side. As you change the telescope's redshift, angular sizes of galaxies adjust properly, taking into account the expansion of the Universe. You may also view the Universe using cosmology parameter values other than the currently accepted COBE/WMAP values.
The application is provided as a stand-alone Java archive available for download, along with with a series of short exercises for instructors or interested members of the public. For help regarding the application, an online manual is available, as well as a glossary of relevant terms. More information about the Hubble Space Telescope can be found on NASA's Hubblesite.