Growing With Science Blog

Just a quick reminder that people in certain regions of the western United States will likely be able to see an annular solar eclipse tomorrow May 20, 2012.

A solar eclipse occurs when moon passes between the sun and the Earth, causing a shadow to fall on the the surface of the Earth. The photograph at the right is a solar eclipse for 2008 (Image from NASA).

Of course, you should never look at the sun directly. The Stanford Solar Center has information on how to make a “pinhole camera” or solar projector to view the sun indirectly.

This video explains more about tomorrow’s eclipse:

If you miss this one, don’t worry. You can check NASA for future eclipses. There will be a total solar eclipse passing over the middle of the United States in 2017.

I’d love to hear from you if you get a chance to view it. Do you see any of the shadows they show in the video? We’ll probably be able to see a partial eclipse where we live.

This book lists were you can find solar eclipses through the year 2017:

You’ll need something like this for proper viewing:

After all the flies for the last few weeks, I thought it was time for a spider.

I found this little jumping spider, Family Salticidae.

I was hoping it would turn and look at me, because jumping spiders have such large eyes in comparison to the rest of their bodies; they are really dramatic. I don’t usually try to pose my subjects, so I guess the silvery abdomen will have to do.

The feathery front legs were interesting, too.

I don’t know my spiders as well as insects, so if someone knows what kind of jumping spider it is, I’d love to hear from you.

Our mystery seeds this week were not what I expected.

After watching the seed pods for nearly a month, out burst these seeds with white wings.

Do you recognize them?

Be sure to leave a comment if you have a guess.