European Association for Astronomy Education

Source: ESA/Hubble release heic1523

Hubble Frontier Fields view of MACSJ0416.1–2403.
Image credits: NASA, ESA and the HST Frontier Fields team (STScI)

Observations by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope have taken advantage of gravitational lensing to reveal the largest sample of the faintest and earliest known galaxies in the Universe. Some of these galaxies formed just 600 million years after the Big Bang and are fainter than any other galaxy yet uncovered by Hubble. The team has determined, for the first time with some confidence, that these small galaxies were vital to creating the Universe that we see today. (read more)

Source: eso1540 — Science Release

Artist’s impression of the hottest and most massive touching double star

Using ESO’s Very Large Telescope, an international team of astronomers have found the hottest and most massive double star with components so close that they touch each other. The two stars in the extreme system VFTS 352 could be heading for a dramatic end, during which the two stars either coalesce to create a single giant star, or form a binary black hole. (learn more)

Soure: Chandra Space Telescope

Image Credits: NASA/CXC/SAO

Archives, in their many forms, save information from today that people will want to access and study in the future. This is a critical function of all archives, but it is especially important when it comes to storing data from today's modern telescopes. (read more)

Source: ESA/Hubble heic1521

Hubble and VLT images of the disc around AU Microscopi.
Image credits: ESO, NASA & ESA.

Using images from the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope and ESO’s Very Large Telescope, astronomers have discovered never-before-seen structures within a dusty disc surrounding a nearby star. The fast-moving wave-like features in the disc of the star AU Microscopii are unlike anything ever observed, or even predicted, before now. The origin and nature of these features present a new mystery for astronomers to explore. The results are published in the journal Nature on 8 October 2015.(learn more)

Teachers and students are invited to the greatest science education contest in the last decade

Odysseus II is a competition open to students from the Primary Education up to University Education (http://www.odysseus-contest.eu).

For University students the final prize is a trip to Kourou Space Center in French Guiana associated with a 3 to 6 months internship at ESA. During the national and regional stages of the contest they also can win iPads and telescopes, among many other awards.

For Secondary Education as well as telescopes and iPads and also a trip to Kourou Space Center in French Guiana, accompanied by their teachers. They can also win iPads and telescopes, among many other awards.

For primary school students (7-13 years) will be spatial models kits and iPads with e-books and applications of spatial issues.

Competitors can present and defend their work in any of the 24 official EU languages ​​at all stages of the contest.

Odysseus II, a fun-based educational contest focusing on space science, is up and running. As of September 1^st, young people all over Europe can register to take part in an exciting competition that combines scientific learning with hands-on experience. Aimed at learners between the ages of 7 and 22, the contest is designed to engage talented young people with a spirit of discovery and an interest in science.

Odysseus II challenges European youth to push the boundaries of their knowledge by discovering answers to fundamental questions on topics ranging from satellites and space probes to astrobiology, space architecture and interplanetary travel. The ultimate aim to of the contest is to inspire young Europeans to get involved in space science.

Organized in multiple rounds, the competition will be conducted in two cycles covering the academic years 2015-2016 and 2016-2017. Teachers are encouraged to participate by coaching teams and will be offered access to professional mentoring upon request.

Three academic levels are targeted, with separate competitions for:

• Skywalkers (primary school pupils)
• Pioneers (secondary school students)
• Explorers (university undergraduates)

Participants will first compete at national level on the merits of their submissions addressing one of the contest’s broadly defined topics. Experienced judges will evaluate submissions on the basis of scientific knowledge, practical implementation and creativity. Winners will be selected at national, regional and international levels. Prizes include iPads, telescopes, travel opportunities, paid internships at the European Space Agency and trips to the Guiana Space Centre in South America.

The deadline for entries from students at secondary schools and universities is January 15, 2016. Entries from primary school pupils are expected by March 31, 2016.

Complete information – including detailed instructions on how to register and submit an entry online – is available at www.odysseus-contest.eu. High-resolution logos and a 30-second promotional video is available for download by the media.

The Odysseus II is organized by a consortium of 14 space agencies and companies linked to the space and supported by 5 entities associated with the Astronomy and Space Exploration and has funding of the European Union by the program Horizon 2020.