Seminole Ridge High School Science teacher Erich Landstrom received out-of-this-world congratulations in May. NASA emailed to say that his physics students in a national contest for an interplanetary mission were semi-finalists. At least one of his students’ essays passed the first round of selection in the Cassini Scientist for a Day essay contest, and they were invited in June to teleconference with scientists studying the planet Saturn remotely by robotic spacecraft.
The Cassini Scientist for a Day contest challenges students to become NASA scientists studying the planet Saturn. Participants examine three target images taken by Cassini and choose the one they think will yield the best science. This choice must then be supported in a 500-word essay.
Mr. Landstrom used it as teaching opportunity for his students to practice their FCAT Writes persuasive essay skills, and encourage excellence in FCAT Science. Juniors Anthony Bass, Alex Cohen, Kris Hansen, and Jessie Twigger are now invited to teleconference with the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Using the Distance Learning Classroom in Seminole Ridge’s Biotechology Academy, they can participate in a scientific debate by deciding which imaging target brings the most scientifically interesting results.
Jessie Twigger in his essay wrote in part, “Not every satellite we launch or every telescope we point towards the sky is searching for another Earth but if the chance to learn more about Earth-like planets presents itself, why not seize this opportunity? That is the reason we should be photographing Dione. No – that that is the reason we should be exploring space. Dione is worth all its scientific merit just for the smallest chance that we will discover something that we never even dreamed possible, just for the shear enjoyment of discovering that a distant moon is similar to Earth, and most importantly just for the challenge it presents in understanding such a mystery.”
All semi-finalists’ essays are now being judged to determine the overall contest winners. Winners will be announced in mid June, after the end of the school year for Seminole Ridge. Please visit http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov to see the winners list online when it becomes available
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The cameras on NASA Cassini-Huygens Mission have been taking stunning images of Saturn and its rings and moons for the past five years. These images have helped planetary scientists learn more about this amazing planet Saturn. For most of its tour, Cassini has a chance to point its cameras at various targets, but only one image can be taken at a time. Before each imaging opportunity, Cassini scientists have to decide which image they think would yield the best science. They make a case for specific images, and debate why one image would be better than another. Finally, they agree on which image will be taken. The command to take the image is uplinked to the spacecraft. The image is downlinked to Earth, a billion kilometers away.
In the Cassini Scientist for a Day contest, students get to be the scientists. Seminole Ridge High School physics students learned about possible images that the cameras on Cassini could take on May 25, 2009. Students needed to weigh all the factors and choose one of the targets. What do we already know about Saturn, its rings, and its moons? What do we hope to learn from the image selected? The decision is based on which image would yield the most scientific results, but the artistic value of the image can be an added bonus.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Telescope, tell a story -- tell a friend!
Times: First Fridays in the spring, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
April 3rd, May 1st, June 5th and July 3rd, 2009.
Places: Boynton Beach City Library
208 S. Seacrest Blvd, Boynton Beach, FL 33435 AND
Schoolhouse Children’s Museum and Learning Center
129 East Ocean Ave., Boynton Beach, FL 33435
Description: Children ages 5 – 9 become pioneers to planets at Boynton Beach’s library and Schoolhouse Children’s Museum. Join curator Kelsey Harris and NASA-certified instructor Erich Landstrom for space exploration story time, and astronomy arts and crafts projects. Then attendees can stargazer through the museum’s telescope (sidewalk astronomy is weather permitting).
Cost: None! But donations to the museum are accepted!
For more information: #561.742.6780 and contact curator Kelsey
Monday, April 6, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
Florida Spring 2009 Launch Schedule
Launch Time: April 28, 2009, 6:24 - 7:24 p.m. EDT
Launch Vehicle: United Launch Alliance Delta IV
Launch Site: Cape Canaveral Air Force Station - Launch Pad 37-B
Mission: GOES-O
Description: NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are actively engaged in a cooperative program, the multi-mission Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite series N-P. This series will be a vital contributor to weather, solar and space operations, and science.
Launch time: May 12, 2009, 1:11 p.m. EDT
Launch Vehicle: Space Shuttle Atlantis
Launch Site: Kennedy Space Center Launch Pad 39A
Mission: STS-125
Description: Space Shuttle Atlantis will fly seven astronauts into space for the fifth and final servicing mission to the Hubble Space Telescope. During the 11-day flight, the crew will repair and improve the observatory's capabilities.
Launch Time: May 21, 2009, 5:32 - 6:32 p.m. EDT
Launch Vehicle: United Launch Alliance Atlas V
Launch Site: Cape Canaveral Air Force Station - Launch Complex 41
Mission: LRO/LCROSS
Description: LRO will launch with the objectives to finding safe landing sites, locate potential resources, characterize the radiation environment and test new technology. The Lunar CRater Observing and Sensing Satellite, or LCROSS, mission is seeking a definitive answer about the presence or absence of water ice in a permanently shadowed crater at either the Moon's North or South Pole.
Launch time: June 13, 2009, 7:25 a.m. EDT
Launch Vehicle: Space Shuttle Endeavour
Launch Site: Kennedy Space Center - Launch Pad 39A
Mission: STS-127
Description: Space shuttle Endeavour will deliver the exposed facility of Japan's Kibo laboratory to the International Space Station.
Launch Time: July 11 +
Launch Vehicle: Ares I-X
Launch Site: Kennedy Space Center - Launch Pad 39B
Mission: Ares I-X Flight Test
Description: The Ares I-X flight test is NASA's first test for the Agency's new Constellation launch vehicle -- Ares I. The Ares I-X flight will provide NASA with an early opportunity to test and prove flight characteristics, hardware, facilities and ground operations associated with the Ares I.
Launch time: August 6, 2009, ~ 9:25 a.m. EDT
Launch Vehicle: Space Shuttle Discovery
Launch Site: Kennedy Space Center - Launch Pad 39A
Mission: STS-128
Description: Space shuttle Discovery will use a Multi-Purpose Logistics Module to carry experiment and storage racks to the International Space Station.
Last updated Wednesday, March 25, 2009. Schedule subject to change. For updates, check online at
NASA Launch Manifest
Spaceflight Now
Launch Vehicle: United Launch Alliance Delta IV
Launch Site: Cape Canaveral Air Force Station - Launch Pad 37-B
Mission: GOES-O
Description: NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are actively engaged in a cooperative program, the multi-mission Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite series N-P. This series will be a vital contributor to weather, solar and space operations, and science.
Launch time: May 12, 2009, 1:11 p.m. EDT
Launch Vehicle: Space Shuttle Atlantis
Launch Site: Kennedy Space Center Launch Pad 39A
Mission: STS-125
Description: Space Shuttle Atlantis will fly seven astronauts into space for the fifth and final servicing mission to the Hubble Space Telescope. During the 11-day flight, the crew will repair and improve the observatory's capabilities.
Launch Time: May 21, 2009, 5:32 - 6:32 p.m. EDT
Launch Vehicle: United Launch Alliance Atlas V
Launch Site: Cape Canaveral Air Force Station - Launch Complex 41
Mission: LRO/LCROSS
Description: LRO will launch with the objectives to finding safe landing sites, locate potential resources, characterize the radiation environment and test new technology. The Lunar CRater Observing and Sensing Satellite, or LCROSS, mission is seeking a definitive answer about the presence or absence of water ice in a permanently shadowed crater at either the Moon's North or South Pole.
Launch time: June 13, 2009, 7:25 a.m. EDT
Launch Vehicle: Space Shuttle Endeavour
Launch Site: Kennedy Space Center - Launch Pad 39A
Mission: STS-127
Description: Space shuttle Endeavour will deliver the exposed facility of Japan's Kibo laboratory to the International Space Station.
Launch Time: July 11 +
Launch Vehicle: Ares I-X
Launch Site: Kennedy Space Center - Launch Pad 39B
Mission: Ares I-X Flight Test
Description: The Ares I-X flight test is NASA's first test for the Agency's new Constellation launch vehicle -- Ares I. The Ares I-X flight will provide NASA with an early opportunity to test and prove flight characteristics, hardware, facilities and ground operations associated with the Ares I.
Launch time: August 6, 2009, ~ 9:25 a.m. EDT
Launch Vehicle: Space Shuttle Discovery
Launch Site: Kennedy Space Center - Launch Pad 39A
Mission: STS-128
Description: Space shuttle Discovery will use a Multi-Purpose Logistics Module to carry experiment and storage racks to the International Space Station.
Last updated Wednesday, March 25, 2009. Schedule subject to change. For updates, check online at
NASA Launch Manifest
Spaceflight Now
Saturday, March 7, 2009
NIGHT HUNTERS!
WILD WEDNESDAY EVENING SPEAKER SERIES
AT FOLKE PETERSON WILDLIFE CENTER
10948 ACME ROAD, WELLINGTON
SECOND IN A SERIES OF EDUCATIONAL TALKS ABOUT OUR NATIVE FLORIDA WILDLIFE, ECOLOGY, CONSERVATION
NIGHT HUNTERS
An exploration of the night sky and
wildlife who hunt by moonlight.
Lecture and TELESCOPE VIEWING presented by
ERICH LANDSTROM
NASA/JPL Solar System Educator
&
VERED NOGRAD, CVT
Folke Peterson Wildlife Center’s Wildlife Care Manager
WEDNESDAY MARCH 18th at 7:00 pm
FREE ADMISSION/LIGHT REFRESHMENTS
561-793-2473 FOR INFORMATION
AT FOLKE PETERSON WILDLIFE CENTER
10948 ACME ROAD, WELLINGTON
SECOND IN A SERIES OF EDUCATIONAL TALKS ABOUT OUR NATIVE FLORIDA WILDLIFE, ECOLOGY, CONSERVATION
NIGHT HUNTERS
An exploration of the night sky and
wildlife who hunt by moonlight.
Lecture and TELESCOPE VIEWING presented by
ERICH LANDSTROM
NASA/JPL Solar System Educator
&
VERED NOGRAD, CVT
Folke Peterson Wildlife Center’s Wildlife Care Manager
WEDNESDAY MARCH 18th at 7:00 pm
FREE ADMISSION/LIGHT REFRESHMENTS
561-793-2473 FOR INFORMATION
Monday, March 2, 2009
Shuttle and Rocket Missions in March
Launch Time: Window 1: 10:49-10:52 p.m. EST, Window 2: 11:13-11:16 p.m. EST on Thursday, March 6
Mission: Kepler
Launch Vehicle: United Launch Alliance Delta II
Launch Site: Cape Canaveral Air Force Station - Launch Complex 17 - Pad 17-B
Description: The Kepler Mission, a NASA Discovery mission, is specifically designed to survey our region of the Milky Way galaxy to detect and characterize hundreds of Earth-size around the habitable zone (and thousands of Jupiter-sized planets outside it).
Launch Time: 8:54 p.m. EDT on Thursday, March 12
Mission: STS-119 • ISS 15A
Launch Vehicle: Space Shuttle Discovery
Launch Site: Kennedy Space Center - Launch Pad 39A
Description: STS-119 will be the 28th U.S. mission to the International Space Station. Space shuttle Discovery will deliver the Starboard 6 truss segment, giving the station its fourth and final set of power-generating solar wings.
Mission: Kepler
Launch Vehicle: United Launch Alliance Delta II
Launch Site: Cape Canaveral Air Force Station - Launch Complex 17 - Pad 17-B
Description: The Kepler Mission, a NASA Discovery mission, is specifically designed to survey our region of the Milky Way galaxy to detect and characterize hundreds of Earth-size around the habitable zone (and thousands of Jupiter-sized planets outside it).
Launch Time: 8:54 p.m. EDT on Thursday, March 12
Mission: STS-119 • ISS 15A
Launch Vehicle: Space Shuttle Discovery
Launch Site: Kennedy Space Center - Launch Pad 39A
Description: STS-119 will be the 28th U.S. mission to the International Space Station. Space shuttle Discovery will deliver the Starboard 6 truss segment, giving the station its fourth and final set of power-generating solar wings.
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