NASA | Afterschool Universe: Supernova Ball Bounce

Afterschool Universe is an out-of-school-time astronomy program for middle school students that explores basic astronomy concepts through engaging hands-on activities and then takes participants on a journey through the Universe beyond the Solar System.

These videos are designed for instructors using the Afterschool Universe program. They are designed to give a better understanding of the assembly, technique and layout of some of the more complicated demonstrations.


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[subh]

wow... i never really understood the actual process behind supernovae. This was a very simple & intuitive explanation. Thanks!

[mrtex]

The ping pong ball goes father because it has taken energy from the tennis ball. It take less energy to move the ping pong ball because of it's mass so the change in the tennis ball is minoot. Hope that helped you

[MrChrisRab]

This is an amazingly easy and understandable explanation of supernovas! I have been reading a lot on type IIa supernovas, but never saw it like that. Thanks NASA, now I can explain supernovas to friends without showing any equations!

[SexChatClub]

I had no idea a supernova could be described by simple balls bouncing, great job.

[ditoalfrido]

so what blackhole caused by if supernova never happen

[Finnmillion]

@RavingKunaiX Because they had their microphone directly on the supernova at all times.

[FrostdPoptart]

@kaishininjou true, but giving 20+ students a basketball and a tennis ball is going to send tennis balls flying all over the place and someone would probably get hurt. If the teacher is the only person doing the demonstration then the basketball and tennis ball would work best, though.

[MyNana]

I hope this is still going on when my 3yr old grandchild finally hits middle school.

[archaedemos]

ok if the tennis ball "basically stayed the same" how is it that the ping pong got the energy, the tennis ball "basically stayed the same" remember. wouldnt i see a dramatic height difference somewhere in this system. just wondering outloud

[imdadalinaz]

tthe lady on the right is a hypernovae

[MichaelMitchellM]

Lol, they did the same experiment on History Channel's: The Universe.

[kaishininjou]

i've always liked this visual, but it'd work better if you used a basketball & a tennis ball instead :P

[waterbeefly]

This is garbage! What if you take smaller ball a steel ball, would it be the same? It is simply density of materials and mass.