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Recently NASA launched a large, powerful telescope into space, where scientists hope it will help them learn more about the origins of the universe. The James Webb Space Telescope is designed to study invisible light waves, which will allow scientists to see into the past. Launching this giant telescope into space presented scientists with some challenges—beginning with how to fit it into the rocket. This audio story explores how engineers solved that problem and what makes this massive telescope so powerful.
Story Length: 4:51
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There is no natural hole to the center of the planet Earth, so seeing what is in the center is difficult. Scientists haven’t ever drilled deeper than 2,000 feet into the Earth’s crust. Seismographs are used to measure earthquakes, which send waves of motion through the earth’s crust. Listen to hear about how scientists have tried to discover what is in the center of our planet.
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There is no minimum age for scientific discovery. Young scientists ask questions about topics that have puzzled humans for hundreds of years. This audio story introduces a high school senior who uses math to help astronomers search for undiscovered planets. Listen to hear more about this project and other amazing work done by Ana Humphrey.
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