Tag: astronomy

Current Event Connection, Main

Oldest Igneous Meteorite May Reveal Secrets of Our Early Solar System

SCIENCE A 4.565-billion-year-old space rock hints at the way Earth and other rocky planets took shape. (Phys.org) What is a meteorite? Use our introductory reference to learn more. Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers Toolkit. Discussion Ideas NWA 11119 is the oldest igneous meteorite yet dated. What does NWA stand for? Northwest Africa. The space rock was discovered … Continue reading Oldest Igneous Meteorite May Reveal Secrets of Our Early Solar System

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Classroom Ideas, Current Event Connection, Main

Diamonds from Space Hint at a Long-Lost Planet

SCIENCE A gem-studded meteorite that fell in Sudan offers clues about the protoplanets that likely existed in our solar system’s violent past. (National Geographic) What are meteorites? Use our resource to learn more. Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers Toolkit. Discussion Ideas Ten years ago, amateur and professional astronomers tracked a meteoroid headed to Earth. Then, they tracked … Continue reading Diamonds from Space Hint at a Long-Lost Planet

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Classroom Ideas, Current Event Connection, Main

Supernova Spotting is for Amateurs

SCIENCE With a simple telescope and camera, a citizen scientist has helped professional astronomers witness the never-before-seen beginnings of a star’s explosive death. (Scientific American) Learn more about supernova baby pictures with our Q&A resource. Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers Toolkit. Discussion Ideas New research describes the “shock breakout phase” of a supernova. What is a supernova? … Continue reading Supernova Spotting is for Amateurs

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Classroom Ideas, Current Event Connection, Main

Jupiter’s Great Red Spot May Soon Be a Great Red Memory

SCIENCE Get a good look at Jupiter’s Great Red Spot while you can. The giant storm is shrinking, and it might fade into memory within your lifetime. (Business Insider) Use our activity to learn more about the Great Red Spot and what it has in common with storms on Earth. Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers Toolkit. Discussion … Continue reading Jupiter’s Great Red Spot May Soon Be a Great Red Memory

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Classroom Ideas, Current Event Connection, Main

Cassini Meets The Lord of the Rings

SCIENCE NASA is deliberately crashing its $3.9-billion spacecraft in a fiery “Grand Finale” on Saturn. Why? (NASA) Revisit Cassini’s legacy with our study guides on two of its discoveries. Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers Toolkit.   Discussion Ideas   The world is watching as NASA prepares to crash its Cassini spacecraft into the gas giant Saturn. What … Continue reading Cassini Meets The Lord of the Rings

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