Happy Birthday from Hubble
Recommended for: Ages 9 and up
Badges: Maryland Skies, Writer in Space
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Download this activity as a PDF.
Hubble, the observatory, is the first major optical telescope to be placed in space, the ultimate mountaintop. Above the distortion of the atmosphere, far above rain clouds and light pollution, Hubble has an unobstructed view of the universe. Scientists have used Hubble to observe the most distant stars and galaxies as well as the planets in our solar system.
In this activity you will learn about the Hubble Space Telescope, what photo the Hubble took on your birthday and create a birthday card for a friend or relative with their Hubble picture.
What You Need
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These websites
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Colored paper big enough to make a card
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Colored pencils
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Access to a printer (optional)​
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Wonder
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How did the Hubble Space Telescope come to be?
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What are some of the discoveries the Hubble has made?
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Can I see the Hubble from earth?
Watch
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Watch this video to learn about the Hubble. Be inspired by the Hubble's glimpses of the universe.
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Find
A photo that the Hubble took on your birthday:
https://www.nasa.gov/content/goddard/what-did-hubble-see-on-your-birthday
Make
Create
Create a birthday card for a friend or relative. Either print out a birthday picture and attach it to your card or draw a picture of what the Hubble photographed on your chosen day. Be sure to put an explanation of the picture on the card!
Wonder
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What it is like inside the area in your birthday photograph.
Write
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A short story or Journal entry about visiting the area in your photograph.
This photograph of NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope was taken on the fifth servicing mission to the observatory in 2009.
Credits: NASA
On September 12 in 2000
Galaxy NGC 3310
There are several hundred star clusters in the starburst galaxy NGC 3310. They appear in this image as the bright, blue clumps that trace the galaxy's spiral arms.
Wonderlog
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Want to complete this task towards collecting a Wondernaut badge?
Share with us:
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Your birthday photograph
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The birthday card that you made for your friend or family member
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Your creative short story about visiting the area in your birthday photograph
