International Year of Astronomy

This year is called the International Year of Astronomy because exactly 400 years ago, in 1609 Galileo Galilei used the first astronomical telescope. This year, we are to celebrate astronomy, and learn more about our place in the universe. The sponsors are Thales Alenia Space, Celestron, and the History channel. Most countries in the world are participating in it. "Galilean Nights" is this week. Many public places will set up telescopes, for people to have their own "Galileo moment", which is when people look through a telescope for the first time. I believe that the IYA is a worthwhile project because, it's 8 goals are very reasonable. For instance, one goal is to promote the equalization of genders of astronomers. This is very important, and is a great issue that needs to be resolved.

http://www.astronomy2009.org/
ESO education and Public Outreach Department, United Nations 2009

Great Worldwide Star Count

The Great Worldwide Star Count is a project that shows how it is becoming increasingly difficult to see stars and constellations at night because of light pollution. This to further introduce children to astronomy. The constellation we would use for the count is Cygnus. We would study Cygnus because when looking at it, the amount of stars your see around it shows the amount of light pollution there is. To the right is a picture of Cygnus in the Northern Hemisphere.



http://www.windows.ucar.edu/citizen_science/starcount/constellations_nh.html
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research 10-7-09


http://www.darkskiesawareness.org/gwwsc.php

Lunar Reconnaisance Orbiter spacecraft

On Friday, October 9th at 7:31 am, the Lunar Reconnaisance Orbiter spacecraft crashed spacecrafts into a crater on the moon, and examining the debris given off, to see if there is frozen water on the moon. Scientists discovered that there was very little water on the moon. The only water there was, was near the North and South poles of the moon. This is displayed in the picture. The water is shown by the blue on the moon. It is unfortunate that the moon has no water on it, but I suggest we keep searching for other water sources.

http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/imagegallery/image_feature_1478.html

Page Editor: Yvette Smith

The Messenger

We study Mercury because it is very unique and it tells us how the solar system was formed, and how it is functioning. Scientists hoped that the Messenger would be the first spacecraft to orbit mercury. We hoped to learn more about Mercury, by completing the third fly-by.

I chose this picture because it shows the details of Mercury. It was taken on Tuedsay, September 29th. It shows the craters, the basins and other details.

I believe that the U.S. should spend money for studying other planets because, in my opinion, it is very important to know about the solar system, and other planets around us. We need to know about the planets surrounding us to educate ourselves a little more about the planet we live on.

http://messenger.jhuapl.edu/mer_flyby3.html