Message from CFHT Librarian, Liz Bryson
Aloha! We dedicate this issue of HOKU to the lost crew of the Space Shuttle Columbia. These people, knowing the risks and dangers inherent in their profession, still undertook this mission. In the midst of tragedy, we are assured that man will continue in his quest to understand the mysteries of the Universe. We salute our heroes: Rick Husband, William McCool, Michael Anderson, David Brown, Kalpana Chawla, Laurel Clark, and Ilan Ramon.We are grateful for your feedback and support of our venture. email
Contents:
- How the Space Shuttle Works
- Lost: Space Shuttle Columbia
- Space Shuttle Columbia Disaster Coverage
- Spaceflight Now
- Wonderville
- Explore Mars Now
- Surfing the Solar System
- Family ASTRO
- Upcoming Astronomical Events
How the Space Shuttle Works
This site examines the complexity of space shuttles, including their parts, design, and various systems. It covers information on shuttle history and future, space environment and life support, getting into orbit, re-entry and landing, and many related resources such as the International Space Station, educational activities, NASA, and more.
Lost: Space Shuttle Columbia
CNN presents a special report on the loss of the space shuttle Columbia's flight STS-107 and its seven crew members on February 1, 2003. The coverage includes information on the shuttle's past launches and milestones, the final contact and communication moments with mission control, and the resulting investigation that followed. Related crew information, photo galleries, and audio and video clips augment the news coverage.
Space Shuttle Columbia Disaster Coverage
Resources, Story Ideas and More: The site is designed for news reporters and editors, and contains up-to-the-minute coverage of the space shuttle Columbia disaster on February 1, 2003. Includes links to various news agencies' coverage, local authorities, information on the crew members, graphics, radar images, historical information, and a list of science experiments conducted during the flight, as well as the Rogers Commission report on the Challenger explosion in 1986. This site is an invaluable resource for journalists and laypeople alike.
Spaceflight Now
This space news site reports on breaking news (e.g. the Columbia flight STS-107 tragedy), current and future shuttle missions, and launch schedules, plus related space activities, archived news, and current video clips. Don't miss the spectacular photo gallery at Features which looks back on 100 dramatic shuttle launches.
Wonderville
The Science Alberta Foundation has created Wonderville to spark kids' interest in science. In Wonderville, they can engage in scientific experiments, locate cool science facts, download exclusive screensavers and desktop wallpaper, and even find out about careers in science, all while having fun. Teachers and parents will want to know that the scientific activities are based in the Alberta Learning science curriculum for grades 4 - 6 and include outcomes, objectives and technical requirements contained in a 'Read Me' file specific to each activity. Requires Flash 6.From Blue Web'N.
Explore Mars Now
This site presents an interactive, three-dimensional model of a possible base station and habitat for the first humans on Mars. It includes the base exterior, the layout, work and living spaces, greenhouse, Mars car, robot rovers, and other details. There is also a section of Mars facts. From Nexterra, a nonprofit group composed of "design professionals and educators" interested in space exploration.
Surfing the Solar System
A new treasure-hunt game and puzzle about the solar system is now available on the Web. The web-based game is part of a new program called "Family ASTRO", which is developing activity kits and evening and weekend events that help families enjoy doing astronomy together.In the "Surfing the Solar System" game, players are given clues in words and pictures to specific worlds or features among the planets and moons in our system. The first letters of the answers then spell out what is likely to be one of the most popular tourist attractions when travel among the planets becomes routine. The puzzle provides a clue for each question and suggests some sites for finding out more if you get stuck. Some of the questions are easy, while others require familiarity with solar system features that are somewhat off the "beaten track."
From Family ASTRO at the Astronomical Society of the Pacific
Family ASTRO
Family ASTRO is a new phase of Project ASTRO, a project that links volunteer astronomers and 4th - 9th grade teachers in 13 regional sites around the country. The family project is supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation. The web game is part of a larger kit of activities and games called "Race to the Planets." More information is available at: www.astrosociety.org/education.html
Upcoming Astronomical Events
- Planets - On the morning of March 28th and 29th, look for Venus and Uranus close to the moon. They will be very close together on the evening of the 27th. Saturn will be 3 degrees away from the moon on the evening of April 7th, and Jupiter will be 4 degrees from the moon on the evening of April 10th. Mercury will be transiting the solar disk on May 7th. Unfortunately it will be visible from Europe, Africa, and Asia not here in Hawaii. This event occurs approximately 13 times every century so if you miss this one, chances are you will have another opportunity to see it. In comparison, Venus transits the sun twice separated by 8 years every 110 years or so. These rare events will be coming up soon in 2004, and 2012.
- Meteor Showers - Don't forget to watch the Lyrid meteor shower on the morning of April 22nd. Best viewing time is midnight to sunrise with the peak occuring at 7am on the 22nd. Predictions are 15-20 meteors per hour, not quite as spectacular as the Leonid or Perseid showers. You should bring a sky chart and after identifying the constellation Lyra, look in that direction. See the August 2001 issue of HOKU to learn more about watching meteor showers at the American Meteor Society site.
- Eclipses - There will be a total lunar eclipse during the evening of May 16th. It will be visible at 7:17 pm at the moonrise. This will not quite as spectacular as it could be from our location however since it will already be out of the center of earth's shadow at this time. If you are on the mainland especially the eastern part of the US, the whole moon will be covered.
An annular solar eclipse will occur on May 31st but will only be visible from Europe, northern Asia, parts of Greenland, Alaska and north western Canada. An annular solar eclipse occurs when the moon appears smaller than the solar disk, and therefore at totality, a ring of the sun is still visible.
All times listed above are HST. The link below contains many calendars and includes a nice section on astronomical events. Check it out!!
We gratefully acknowledge the following online sources: 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.