Educator Guide: Analyzing Images and an Exoplanet Collision Afterglow

November 18, 2023

About this guide

Use news articles from the November 18 Science News issue to show students an animation of an exoplanet collision along with infrared and visible light graphs to have them assess related scientific claims and get students wondering about the 2023 Nikon Small World photo contest winner or any scientific image from the article archive.

This Guide Includes:

When worlds collide

Astronomers just spotted a big explosion. Scientists studied this glowing afterburn of pulverized planets — comparing infrared and visible light — to peel back layers of space and time. They also answered questions about how probability can be used to draw conclusions and assess scientific claims.

Observing and analyzing an image

Use this short bellringer to guide students through observing details of a scientific image taken from Science News or Science News Explores articles. Students will consider the scientific process or concept behind the image. Student questions are framed around the “What I See” and “What It Means” technique.