HOKU

An Online Astronomy Newsletter for Educators and Parents
Volume 1, Number 4 (November 2001)
By Liz Bryson and Lisa Wells
(ISSN: 1538-5140)

Message from CFHT Observing Assistant, Lisa Wells

Aloha!! There are some exciting astronomical events happening in the next few months so I hope that you will take advantage of them to learn about our Solar System. You will find some great pictures from the latest releases of the Hubble Space Telescope, and a great resource that relates astronomy to other areas such as art, and poetry. Enjoy!!!
We are grateful for your feedback and support of our venture. email.

Contents:

Halloween is for Science

Girls FIRST : A Guide to Starting Science Clubs for Girls

The Tech Museum

NASA Ames' Life Sciences Division

NASA's Office of Biological and Physical Research

Hawaii Preparatory Academy

Hubble Space Telescope Pictures

Other Interdisciplinary Approaches to Astronomy

Upcoming Astronomical Events

Eleanor Roosevelt Teacher Fellowships

Halloween is for Science
I always thought Stonehenge deserved a place in Halloween--even though it may have nothing to do with the holiday, since Stonehenge most certainly predates the Celts and Druids. It's just the sort of thing that seems like it should be true. There are a wealth of sites of interest on henges. The Canadian Discovery Channel takes you to a Mystic Place - Stonehenge, or visit some of the other stone circles and megaliths of Europe. Did astronomy have its beginnings at places like this? Check out a "Brief Introduction to Archaeoastronomy.
From the Sci-Tech Online Newsletter, Stephanie Bianchi, National Science Foundation Library. Picture designed by Claudia Baggiani

Girls FIRST : A Guide to Starting Science Clubs for Girls
Chabot Space & Science Center (Oakland, CA) is pleased to announce the release of Girls FIRST: A Guide to Starting Science Clubs for Girls by Linda Kekelis and Etta Heber. This resource guide is for teachers, parents and anyone interested in encouraging girls in science. Girls FIRST is based upon a project funded by the National Science Foundation, entitled FIRST (Female Involvement in Real Science and Technology). Topics include step-by-step directions for hosting a science club, resources and ideas to encourage girls in science, and ideas for role models and field trips. To order a copy, visit the website below. To order by phone, call (510) 336-7382.
Girls FIRST
From the WIPHYS Posting for Sep 06, 2001.

The Tech Museum
The Tech Museum is an educational resource designed to engage people of all ages and backgrounds in exploring and experiencing technologies affecting their lives, and to inspire young people to become innovators in developing the technologies of the future.
Prominent female scientists from NASA Ames Research Center discussed their experiences and their research with the public in a month-long series of weekend talks in October at The Tech Museum of Innovation in San Jose. Future lectures can be found at their website.
The Tech Museum
From Luisa Rebull at JPL.

NASA Ames' Life Sciences Division
Women have played a key role in pursuing this research. Dalton noted that women in Ames' Life Sciences Division have been involved in all aspects of research, both on Earth and in space. This research has improved our understanding of how long-term space flight affects living organisms. It also has shed new light on fundamental aspects of biology on Earth. NASA research and technology have helped the medical community address women's health issues such as breast cancer and osteoporosis.
NASA Ames' Life Sciences Division
From Luisa Rebull at JPL.

NASA's Office of Biological and Physical Research
NASA's Office of Biological and Physical Research promotes basic and applied research to support human exploration of space and to take advantage of the space environment as a laboratory.
NASA's Office of Biological and Physical Research
From Luisa Rebull at JPL.

Hawaii Preparatory Academy
Astronomy is one of many science disciplines offered at the Hawaii Preparatory Academy in Kamuela, Hawaii. Check out the many facets of their program, and make sure you access 'The Great Debate', a unique approach for learning about astronomy:
Hawaii Preparatory Academy
This site was developed by the Chair of the Science Department, Matt Hughes.

Hubble Space Telescope Pictures
These latest findings from Hubble will appeal to anyone with even a passing interest in astronomy. The first focuses on collisions between galaxies within Stephan's Quintet that have given rise to star clusters and dwarf galaxies. The second gives us a glimpse into the 30 Doradus Nebula where stars are born. Both releases include an introduction, background information, stunning photos, animations, videos, related links, and more.
Star Clusters Born in the Wreckage of Cosmic Collisions
Hubble's Panoramic Portrait of a Vast Star-Forming Region

Other Interdisciplinary Approaches to Astronomy
For older students, you can find a number of other fields where astronomy has had interesting or amusing influences. Among these are poetry, fiction (including but not limited to science fiction), music, and fine art. The Astronomical Society of the Pacific recently produced a 32-page information packet on Interdisciplinary Approaches to Astronomy, which includes several articles on these subjects and a lengthy annotated bibliography. Copies are available for a donation of $3.00 to: A.S.P., IAA Packet Dept., 1290 24th Ave., San Francisco, CA 94122. Their website below has a wide variety of resources as well.
Astronomical Society of the Pacific

Upcoming Astronomical Events

Meteor Showers - Don't forget to watch the Leonid meteor shower on the evening of the 17th of November. Best viewing time is Midnight to Sunrise. Predictions are anywhere from 1000-10000 meteors per hour. The slightly less spectacular Geminid meteor shower will peak in the evening of December 13th with 95 meteors expected per hour. It is best to bring along a sky chart to identify the constellations and then look in their direction. See the August 2001 issue of Hoku in the archive to learn more about watching meteor showers.

Eclipses - There will be an annular solar eclipse during the daylight hours of December 14th. It will start at 8:08 am and end at 11:00am. We are not in the direct path but the sun will be 79% covered at 9:27 am. DO NOT LOOK DIRECTLY AT THE ECLIPSE use a pinhole camera projection. There is also a penumbral lunar eclipse on December 29th. It will start at 10:25 pm and end at 2:33 am. The moon will be at its darkest at 12:40am. This is unfortunately not quite as spectacular as a partial lunar eclipse.

Winter Solstice occurs at 9:21am on December 21st.

All times listed above are HST. The link below contains many calendars and includes a nice section on astronomical events. Check it out!!
Calendars

Eleanor Roosevelt Teacher Fellowships
Eleanor Roosevelt Teacher Fellowships are designed to provide professional development opportunities for women public school teachers; improve girls' learning opportunities, especially in math, science, and technology; and promote equity and long-term change in classrooms, schools, and school systems. In 2002-03, Professional Development Fellowships of up to $5,000 will fund K-12 women public school teachers to attend the dynamic five-day Eleanor Roosevelt Teacher Institute held at the end of July 2002 in Washington, D.C. Contact information is available at the following website.
Eleanor Roosevelt Fund for Women and Girls

We gratefully acknowledge the following online sources: Hallmark.com, Yahoo's Search Engine, The Scout Report, Blue Web'N, and the Librarian's Index to the Internet.
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.