Genres of Paintings Painting Genres    

Lesson 27: Space Art - Fallback Disk Around Pulsar 4U 0142+61

by R. Hurt

Directions

Study the artwork for one week.

Over the week:

• Examine the artwork.
• Read the synopsis.
• Study the vocabulary words.
• Recite the artist and artwork names.
• Read about the artwork's genre.
• Complete the enrichment activities.
• Discuss the review questions.

Synopsis

R. Hurt's 'Fallback Disk Around Pulsar 4U 0142+61' shows a pulsar surrounded by a disk of rocky matter and debris as well as a purple cloud of hot gas. A recent collapse of a star created the pulsar and fallback disk. The pulsar gets its name because it spins quickly and produces pulses of radiation. The black, starry expanse of outer space creates the backdrop.

Vocabulary

Pulse: Throb rhythmically; pulsate.
Pulsar: A celestial object, thought to be a rapidly rotating neutron star, that emits regular pulses of radio waves and other electromagnetic radiation at rates of up to one thousand pulses per second.
Fallback Disk: A disk of matter that falls back after an explosion of a star to encircle the resultant neutron star.
Disk: A shape or surface that is round and flat in appearance.
Radiation: The energy transmitted by radiation, as heat, light, electricity, etc.

Concepts

1. Space art paintings attempt to capture the majesty of the universe.
2. Space art paintings feature outer space, stars, planets, comets, asteroids, spaceships, probes, and astronauts.
3. Space art is one of the newest genres, although paintings containing elements of astronomy, such as views of the night sky from the earth, have existed for centuries.
4. History paintings may also be called 'astronomical art.'
5. Select types of space art paintings include, 1) Descriptive Realism (attempt to show a scientifically accurate view), 2) Cosmic Impressionism (does not attempt to be scientifically accurate), 3) Hardware Art (focuses on spaceships and probes), and 4) Cosmic Zoology (Portrays ideas about what extraterrestrial life might look like).
6. See below examples of four subgenres of space art paintings: 1) Lucien Rudaux's 'Lunar Eclipse' (Descriptive Realism), 2) 5arah's' 'Galaxy in a Nut' (Cosmic Impressionism), 3) Rick Guidice's 'Artist's depiction of a pair of O'Neill cylinders' (Hardware Art), and 4) 'Alien Light Atmosphere' by Kalhh (Cosmic Zoology).

Enrichment

Activity 1: Can You Find It?

Zoom in to find the following in the artwork:

• Collapsed Star
• Fallback Disk
• Something Pulsing
• Rocks
• Dust
• Outer Space
• Hot Gas

Activity 2: Narrate the Artwork

• After studying the artwork, narrate the scene shown aloud using your own words.

Activity 3: Color the Artwork   

• Click the crayon above and complete page 54 of 'Third Grade Art History Coloring Book.'

Review

Question 1

Who are the characters in the artwork?

1 / 6

Answer 1

There are no human characters in the painting.

1 / 6

Question 2

What is the setting of the artwork?

2 / 6

Answer 2

The setting is in outer space.

2 / 6

Question 3

How did the 'pulsar' get its name?

3 / 6

Answer 3

The pulsar got its name since it pulses with radiation.

3 / 6

Question 4

What immediately surrounds the pulsar in the painting?

4 / 6

Answer 4

A fallback disk of rock and dust and a purple cloud of hot gas surround the pulsar.

4 / 6

Question 5

Into which genre is this painting classified?

5 / 6

Answer 5

This painting falls into the space art genre.

5 / 6

Question 6

Is the portrait best described as a descriptive realism, cosmic impressionism, hardware art, and/or cosmic zoology space art painting?

6 / 6

Answer 6

This painting is best described as descriptive realism.

6 / 6

❮ ❯

1. Who are the characters in the artwork? There are no human characters in the painting.
2. What is the setting of the artwork? The setting is in outer space.
3. How did the 'pulsar' get its name? The pulsar got its name since it pulses with radiation.
4. What immediately surrounds the pulsar in the painting? A fallback disk of rock and dust and a purple cloud of hot gas surround the pulsar.
5. Into which genre is this painting classified? This painting falls into the space art genre.
6. Is the portrait best described as a descriptive realism, cosmic impressionism, hardware art, and/or cosmic zoology space art painting? This painting is best described as descriptive realism.

References

'Space Art.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.

'Pulsar.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.