In case you haven’t heard, Comet Pan-STARRS is passing by this month (March 2013). If conditions are optimal it might be possible to see the comet on certain evenings without a telescope. One of the first evenings is tonight, March 7, 2013.
NASA has details in this video:
For more information, try:
Everything you need to know: Comet PANSTARRS in March 2013 at EarthSky
Bright Comet Pan-STARRS in Night Sky: How to See It at Space.com
Let us know if you get to see it.
November is packed with great opportunities to learn more about astronomy.
Event 1. Parts of northern Australia will be experiencing a solar eclipse, on November 14, 2012 (their time), which is roughly 5:00 p.m. EST November 13 in the U.S.
This video from NASA shows why astronomers are traveling to Australia for the eclipse. It is an unique opportunity to study the inner corona of the sun.
The excitement generated by an eclipse is often a good time to introduce age-specific information about the sun and our solar system.
From the comments on the first video, it seemed like there were a lot of misunderstanding about solar eclipses. I looked up this second video that is helpful in explaining why solar eclipses don’t happen all the time.
Event 2. Meteor showers
Two meteor showers have potential in November. The Northern Taurid shower peaks aound midnight on Monday November 12, 2012 and the annual Leonid meteor shower is due to appear on November 17, 2012.
Looking for a deeper involvement? NASA also has an extensive list of citizen science projects. Some, like the Rock Around the World, are definitely child-friendly.
A new children’s book:
National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of Space (First Big Books) by Catherine D. Hughes and illustrated by David A. Aguilar
This weekend astronomy is in the news, with several events to spike a child’s interest.
Why is this rover newsworthy? Curiosity is bigger than the previous rovers, Spirit and Opportunity, and is landing in a more difficult location. It is also carrying a lot of more sophisticated equipment, including, believe it or not, ovens to bake soil and rock samples. Part of Curiosity’s mission is to look for carbon, the element that is an important building block for living things. If all goes well, it could be exploring and sending back data for a couple of years.
See live reports of the Mars Rover landing tomorrow night at the Jet Propulsion Lab
NASA also has information and updates
If your children are excited about Mars and the rovers, there are several wonderful children’s books to find out more:
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The Mighty Mars Rovers: The Incredible Adventures of Spirit and Opportunity (Scientists in the Field Series) by Elizabeth Rusch -released June 19, 2012
Middle-grade level |
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Cars on Mars: Roving the Red Planet by Alexandra Siy
Middle-grade level |
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You Are the First Kid on Mars by Patrick O’Brien This picture book really stretches the definition of nonfiction, because it details an imaginary trip to Mars. The scientific details and photorealistic illustrations are what make it credible. |
They all seem to have Mars red covers.
Towards the middle of August will be an opportunity to view the annual Perseid meteor shower. Although it has already started, astronomers are predicting the nights of August 11, 12 and 13, 2012 will have the best viewing because that is when the brightness of the moon will interfere the least.
The Perseids are usually the easiest meteor shower to view because it is still warm out at night. No need for coats and heavy blankets.
Tips:
1. Try to find a place that is fully dark for best viewing. Porch and street lights can fade out the meteors, preventing sightings.
2. Remind your children there may be several minutes between sightings. In the wee hours of the morning it can be hard to be patient.
3. Blankets and lawn chairs that allow for viewing in a prone position help prevent neck strain.
Enjoy!
EarthSky has more viewing information
Tonight’s Sky has a longer video that reveals other stars and constellations to be on the look out for.
Two full moons in one month? Cool!
3. Hands-on Astronomy Activities
The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) website has two Astronomy lessons with hands on activities
The lessons are over multiple pages that sometimes don’t have obvious links between, so check the sidebars and under the title of each page for the links to the next page. Let me know if you have difficulty navigating and I’ll add all the links here.
Let us know if you have any other favorite Astronomy websites.
For more information, see Roberta Gibson Writes.
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