Crab Nebula, The 1

Synopsis

Shows some of the most important observations that have helped astronomers learn about the Crab nebula. First shows observations in the visible part of the spectrum. These include long exposures with different colour filters. Photographs taken at the Lick Observatory at the turn of the century and today show the expansion of the nebula. The advent of radio astronomy provided a new ‘eye’ on it, and the discovery of the Crab pulsar gave the theorists a new means of explaining the energy source in the Crab. Presents the observation of the Crab pulsar and the stroboscopic techniques by which the pulsar was indentified visually. Shows attempts to extend observations of the Crab nebula to very short wavelengths. Describes X-ray measurements from rockets, as well as balloon experiments to pick up x-rays and y-rays by means of spark chambers. Examines a method of picking up y-rays ‘third hand’ from Cerenkov radiation, based on an experiment set up in the Arizona desert.

Series

St291 Videocassette 3

Language

English

Country

Great Britain

Medium

Video; Videocassette. Standard formats. col. 24 min.

Year of production

1977

Availability

OUT OF DISTRIBUTION

Subjects

Astronomy; Physics

Keywords

galaxies; imaging technology; stars; telescopes

Credits

Producer

Andrew Millington

Production Company

Name

BBC Open University Productions

Distributor

Name

Open University Worldwide

Web

http://www.ouw.co.uk External site opens in new window

Phone

+44 (0) 1908 274066

Address

Walton Hall
Milton Keynes
MK7 6AA

Notes

NB. As of May 2016 Open University Worldwide are no longer distributing DVDs. They have posted this message on their website: ‘Unfortunately Open University Worldwide Limited has decided that product sales are no longer viable given the reduced funding to Higher Education institutions and diminishing demand for the products we have traditionally stocked. At present the Open University Students Association (OUSA) will continue to sell the "Good Study Guide", and we are in discussion with other possible distributors to continue to make The Open University’s products available for purchase. As soon as we have any information on other channels of distribution we will update this notice’. Some products are still available via second hand dealers on Amazon.co.uk