SCIENCE Amateur astronomers have spotted two clouds rising from the Martian surface, and nobody knows what they are. (Nat Geo News) Get some possible clues about Mars’ mystery clouds with our lesson on “Environmental Conditions in Our Solar System.” Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers’ Toolkit. Discussion Ideas Read through the Nat Geo News article. What group of … Continue reading Martian Mystery
By Maggie Turqman Manager of Research, National Geographic Library In today’s #tbt feature, we remember the historic flight of the Double Eagle II in August 1978—the first balloon flight to cross the Atlantic. Double Eagle II launched on August 11 from Presque Island, Maine, carrying Ben Abruzzo, Maxie Anderson, and Larry Newman. Almost six days and 4,987 kilometers (3,099 miles) later they landed safely in … Continue reading #tbt: The First Successful Balloon Flight Across the Atlantic
UNITED STATES How do you live through a voyage when the temperature drops to more than 50 degrees below zero and the air is thinner than that at the top of Mount Everest? You usually don’t. (NPR) Use our resources to understand altitude, air pressure, and their impact on the human body. Discussion Ideas The NPR blog post says wheel-well stowaways are likely to freeze to … Continue reading Boy Survives Flight in Jet’s Wheel Well
HEALTH Warmer temperatures are causing malaria to spread to higher altitudes, a study suggests. (BBC) Use our resources to better understand how communities are adapting to the threat of malaria. Discussion Ideas The BBC article, based on research published in the journal Science, says that malaria, typically a tropical disease, is being documented in higher altitudes. Take a look at the map above, which shows areas … Continue reading Malaria Reaches New Heights
