RSS 2.0LPI Earth and Space Science Newsletter
December 7, 2009 NASA Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer Scheduled to Launch
December 13 - December 14, 2009 Geminid Meteor Shower
December 21, 2009 Winter Solstice
NASA ERC Online Workshops
You only need an internet connection and a computer with audio capability to participate. Upcoming workshop topics include Toys in Space, the Environment of the Sun, and Microgravity.
Hands-On Universe/ NASA WISE Teacher Workshop
High school teachers are invited to join the Hands-On Universe project, Global Systems Science and the WISE mission at 1-day teacher workshops, in Ashburn, VA, Austin TX, and Belmont, NH.
Summer 2010 Workshops at McDonald Observatory
At McDonald Observatory in West Texas, participants conduct inquiry-based activities aligned with science and mathematics TEKS and TAKS, and practice new astronomy skills under the Observatory’s dark skies. Application deadline February 8, 2010.
Space Exploration Educators Conference
This conference on February 4-6, 2010 at Space Center Houston is for K-12 teachers. Early registration now available.
Earth Science Workshops in Houston
The Lunar and Planetary Institute, in conjunction with Johnson Space Center’s Astromaterials Research and Exploration Science education, is offering middle school and high school Earth science workshops this fall at the Harris County Department of Education.
Public Cosmic Lecture in Houston
LPI's Cosmic Exploration Speaker Series continues on November 19 with a presentation by Guy Consolmagno, SJ, on "Astronomy, God, and the Search for Elegance." The lecture is free; all adults are welcome.
AAAS Conference on Promoting Climate Literacy Through Informal Science
Informal educators are invited to attend this conference in San Diego, February 17-18, 2010, to learn more about climate change science and related public outreach. Application deadline for travel support is October 15.
Cosmic Reflection Concert in DC
This orchestral concert, accompanied by a video presentation, will be presented at 8PM on November 2, 2009 at the Concert Hall of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C.
Education Presentations at the American Geophysical Union
The Fall Meeting of the AGU, Dec. 14-18 in San Francisco, provides an opportunity for researchers, teachers, students, and consultants to present and review the latest issues affecting the Earth, the planets, and their environments in space.
Family Space Day at LPI in Houston
Children between the ages of 5 and 8 are invited to the Lunar and Planetary Institute with their families to explore space science! Third Saturday of each month.
High School Competition on Geospatial Technology
The 2010 Thacher Environmental Research Contest awards cash prizes to secondary school students (grades 9-12) whose projects demonstrate the best use of satellites and other geospatial technologies or data to study Earth. Entries due April 5, 2010.
ING Unsung Heroes Teacher Grants
The ING Unsung Heroes program annually provides $2000 grants to K-12 educators utilizing new teaching methods and techniques that improve learning. Applications for 2010 awards are due April 30, 2010.
Nominate an Astronomy Educator
The Astronomical Society of the Pacific is now accepting nominations for the Society’s 2010 awards honoring accomplishments in astronomy education and public outreach. Deadline: Dec. 15.
Student Moon Project Competition
As part of World Space Week and the International Year of Astronomy, students around the world are invited to study the Moon and submit their Moon projects for competition. Submission deadline is November 10.
NOAA Teacher at Sea Program
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association is accepting applications from K-12 teachers to work at sea aboard NOAA research and survey ships under the tutelage of scientists and crew. 2010 Application deadline: December 31, 2009.
New Posters: "Constellations: Wonders Within"
This series of posters by the Chandra X-Ray Observatory represents some of the most dramatic images made by combining data from the best of modern telescopes, and is accompanied by activities. Activities and posters can be downloaded from the website or requested at http://chandra.harvard.edu/edu/request_const.html.
Year In Space Online Calendar and Email
The Year In Space is now offering free online and e-mail versions of its desk calendar.
ASP Article on 2012 Doomsday Hoax
The Astronomical Society of the Pacific has published an article on the hoax that Dec. 21, 2012 will be doomsday for planet Earth because of some astronomical event.
New Online NASA Books
NASA's Space Place offers five online children's books with animated page turning. The books are also available for download.
Online Classroom Astronomer Magazine
This new quarterly practitioner full-color publication is 24-pages full of practical how-to articles on the teaching of astronomy, both content and pedagogy. It is available as a free pdf and as a subscription printed version.
New Planets Detected
Astronomers have found 32 new planets outside our solar system, bringing the number of known exoplanets to 406. Included in this most recent batch are several low-mass planets, so-called "Super Earths" about the size of Neptune.
Modified from http://www.universetoday.com/2009/10/19/harps-discovers-32-new-exoplanets/
Chemistry for Life Found on Distant Planet
Molecules of carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor have been detected in a second planet's atmosphere outside of our Solar System. The Jupiter-sized planet has a tight, 3.5-day orbit around a sun-like star. The planet is not habitable but it has the same chemistry that, if found around a rocky planet in the future, could indicate the presence of life.
Modified from http://www.universetoday.com/2009/10/20/organic-molecules-detected-in-exoplanet-atmosphere/
Surprising Band of Energized Atoms at the Edge of Solar System
The Interstellar Boundary Explorer mission, which monitors how the solar wind interacts with the gas and dust throughout our solar system, has discovered an unexpected bright band or ribbon of surprisingly high-energy emissions at the edge of our solar system.
Modified from http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009/15oct_ibex.htm?list812372
LCROSS Mission Impact Successful
Even without big explosions or bright plumes of ejecta, it appears LCROSS's impact on the Moon was a smashing success. Mission managers said the mission has garnered plenty of spectroscopic data, and that's where the real science can be found.
Modified from http://www.universetoday.com/2009/10/09/moon-impact-data-and-images-from-lcross-first-glance/
New Supersized Ring Discovered Around Saturn
NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope has discovered an enormous diffuse infrared ring around Saturn.
Modified from http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009/07oct_giantring.htm?list812372
