HOKU

An Online Astronomy Newsletter for Educators and Parents
Volume 1, Number 2 (May 2001)
By Liz Bryson and Lisa Wells
(ISSN: 1538-5140)


Message from CFHT Librarian, Liz Bryson

  • Contents:
    • 8th Grade Science Courses
    • Powers of 10 - An Exercise in Scales
    • The Mars Academy
    • Rocket and Space Technology
    • "Mutant Fungus from Space"
    • The Mandelbrot Monk
    • From Netsurfer Science: Astronomical Calendars
    • Cosmic Ancestry?
    • Links to Science & Technology Timelines
    • Exploring Planets in the Classroom
    • Suggested References

    8th Grade Science Courses

    This site contains projects in Matter, Energy, Force, Machines and Earth which are directed at the 8th grade level student. The information and experiments are great for the classroom.

    http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/java/scienceopticsu/powersof10/index.html

    Powers of 10 - An Exercise in Scale

    This site gives you a view of our universe, starting from the level of intergalactic space and ending at subatomic particles in decreasing powers of 10. You will need to have Java enabled on your browser.

    http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/java/scienceopticsu/powersof10/index.html

    The Mars Academy

    Not for Martians - Mars Academy is strictly for humankind. This excellent educational resource is packed full of essential information on the red planet and how we might go about getting there. Many of the pages are clearly aimed at teachers rather than their charges, giving the first small step for classroom discussions or priming the fuel tanks of experiment and research. The site is detailed enough to use graphs and formula to describe how centrifugal force might be used to create artificial gallery - but nonetheless well directed towards the general reader. Other pages, like "Astronaut Quiz" or "Interactive Mission Design Page" will present genuine challenges for pupils aged twelve to sixteen. Will they conquer the final frontier with a minimum score of 80%? What is the payload of an Ion drive mars trip? Mars academy helps you work, rest and play. ARB (From New Scientist - Planet Science)

    http://www.marsacademy.com

    Rocket and Space Technology

    Information about the Basics of Space Flight, including Orbital Mechanics, Rocket Propellants, and Propulsion. It continues with Space Hardware, covering Spacecraft Systems, Launch Vehicles, and specifications for the various spacecraft, satellites, and launchers. Additionally, there is information about the World Space Centers and the Space Missions. There is also a Glossary, related links, and more. Throughout the site are many diagrams.

    http://www.braeunig.us/space/index_top.htm

    "Mutant Fungus from Space"


    Space expert Yuri Karash of Russia says that he anticipates that the Mir Space Station could bring virulent new strains of fungus to earth when it splashes down later this month. Various types of fungus, whose smell is the first thing visitors to Mir notice, grow behind panels and in air-conditioning units on the spacecraft and have likely mutated. This article from the BBC News online covers the story.

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/monitoring/media_reports/newsid_1209000/1209034.stm

    The Mandelbrot Monk


    Do you know Udo of Aachen? Not exactly a household name, this Benedictine monk toiled as a copyist and theological essayist between 1200-1270 AD, and wrote a poem called Fortuna Imperatrix Mundi, which evolved into the famous O Fortuna of the choral work, Carmina Burana. But this would only have made him the O Fortuna Monk. A modern day mathematician noted the unusual depiction of the Bethlehem star in a nativity scene illuminated by Udo. It looked amazingly like the Mandelbrot set. How a thirteenth century monk came to arrive at this feat, previously thought to be possible only through repeated calculations on modern day computers, is the story at this site, and a riveting one it is. Further, Udo embedded his probability theory research and value of pi exercises into works thought previously to be mere theological writings. Threatened with excommunication for his heretical views, Udo reluctantly put away his numbers. But not before leaving these marvels of his genius for us to find, seven centuries later. AD (From New Scientist - Planet Science)

    http://www.raygirvan.co.uk/apoth/udo.htm

    From Netsurfer Science: Vol. 04, #02 - Astronomical Calendars


    We take it pretty much for granted, hanging up there on the wall, or embedded in the chips and software of computer, watch, and VCR, but the calendar is an incredible invention. Standards have been a bit of a challenge, though. Imagine, for example, the abrupt leap from October 4, 1582 to October 15, which the Gregorian calendar imposed when introduced, making up for the accumulated errors of the Julian calendar, which had been around since Roman times. Turns out that although you might think that a year is a year is a year, there are many different kinds of solar year, including the tropical, the sidereal, and the anomalistic. And of calendars there have been legion. Adoption of new calendars always caused a stir, and historians must now contend with the great amusement afforded by the adoption of the Gregorian calendar at different times by different countries. And we think the switch to metric units is a challenge! This fascinating little site is a self-contained resource on a single page that gives an intriguing overview of the calendar situation.

    http://www.maa.mhn.de/Scholar/calendar.html

    Cosmic Ancestry?


    That life comes from life, comes drifting in from space, and did not arise indigenously and spontaneously through autocatalytic sets and self-replication in the early mud, as others hold, is certainly grand speculation, and that's always fun. The panspermia site is voluminous, serious, nicely designed, and replete with documents, arguments, quotes, and references. Somewhere in the feedback you'll see that Jon Richfield finds it all implausible; read the long, ensuing debate that Klyce finally cuts off. Now, we're not here to award or withhold the imprimatur of scientific authority, but we do think we should warn you that panspermia is far from mainstream science. It's great fun to read about, but in our mind it begs the question of where and when life did begin if not spontaneously here on earth. Panspermia cannot ignore the question because life could not have existed in the early stages of the universe with its roiling heat and radiation and absence of elements other than hydrogen and helium. Give it a read, as it's grand fun, and see what you think.

    http://www.panspermia.org/

    Links to Science & Technology Timelines


    If you are in to timelines, this site is for you. Everything from timeline of the Human Genome Project, to Galileo. (From Scie-Tech Library Newsletter 3/13)

    http://www.canisius.edu/~emeryg/time.html#science

    Exploring Planets in the Classroom


    Subtitled Hands-on Science Activities, this site presents more than 25 hands-on science activities with "classroom-ready pages for both teachers and students for exploring Earth, the planets, geology, and space sciences." Related annotated links are also included.

    http://www.spacegrant.hawaii.edu/class_acts/

    Suggested References

    There are some great astronomy reference books out there. In this new section, we hope to find and suggest some good reading materials for varying age groups. We include links to Amazon.com however, you may find it cheaper in their auctions or used books sections. You are always welcome to use other online stores.

    This page is compiled by Liz Bryson, CFHT Librarian
    This page was designed by Lisa Wells, CFHT Observing Assistant
    We appreciate your comments and questions.