Galaxies | The Schools' Observatory

Create An Expanding Universe

You have likely heard about the Universe expanding. Or that redshift can tell us about the movements of galaxies. Both are difficult ideas to imagine and understand.

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Early Life

Beth was born in Roanoke, Virginia, USA. She was always asking questions as a child and wanted to know how things worked. She had a passion for science fiction. During a school trip to an observatory she looked through a telescope for the first time and saw the Ring Nebula. That was the inspiration she needed to decide to study astronomy. She was the highest achieving student in her high school. Beth then went to Howard University to study astrophysics.

Year born: 1969

Research Areas: Black Holes, Elliptical Galaxies, X-ray Emission, Data Archives

"Space fascinated me. I was into anything that had to do with space."

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Beatrice Tinsley

Early Life

Beatrice was born in Chester, UK, but her family moved to New Zealand after World War II. Beatrice won a scholarship to study at Canterbury University where she got a degree in physics.

Year born: 1941

Research Areas: Galaxies' Evolution, Cosmology

"I never mind spending time [with students] if they really want to learn astronomy or exchange ideas."

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Identify the Nebula

The word nebula is used to talk about any dusty, fuzzy objects in space but they can be very different things! Can you classify each image into its proper category?