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over Washington" (Comic) 09204_2004_001"Saucers over Washington" (Comic) 09204_2004_001https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/v2-buzz-bomb.pngv2-buzz-bombhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/chiles-whitted-drawing.pngchiles-whitted-drawing2022-09-01T05:20:30+00:00monthlyhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/2022/08/28/the-1947-ufo-craze/https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/mib.jpegmibhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/barker-book-cover.pngbarker-book-coverhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/roswell-alien.pngroswell-alienhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/roswell-newspaper.pngroswell-newspaperhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/flight-105.pngflight-1052022-08-28T16:47:43+00:00monthlyhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/2022/08/19/ufo-incidents-battle-of-los-angeles-and-foo-fighters/https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/foo-fighter-illustration.pngfoo-fighter-illustrationhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/battle_of_los_angeles_latimes.jpegbattle_of_los_angeles_latimes2022-08-20T05:40:06+00:00monthlyhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/2022/08/17/a-modification-of-the-drake-equation/https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/orange-gray-star-blue-purple-planet-s-1.jpgorange-gray-star-blue-purple-planet-s-1https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/green-exoplanet-s.jpggreen-exoplanet-shttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/orange-green-purple-planets-s-1.jpgorange-green-purple-planets-s-1https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/where-you-go-wood-burn-s.jpgwhere-you-go-wood-burn-shttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/drake-equation-wood-burn-s.jpgdrake-equation-wood-burn-shttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/drake-equation-wood-burn.jpgdrake-equation-wood-burn2022-08-18T01:54:34+00:00monthlyhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/2022/08/16/what-we-know-about-the-drake-equation/https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/orange-dwarf-blue-and-red-planets-s.jpgorange-dwarf-blue-and-red-planets-shttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/orange-green-purple-planets-s.jpgorange-green-purple-planets-shttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/epsilon-indi-s-1.pngepsilon-indi-s-1https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/blue-orange-red-planets-s.jpgblue-orange-red-planets-s2022-08-16T22:44:16+00:00monthlyhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/2022/08/07/my-ufo-or-is-it-uap-encounter/https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/orange-gray-star-blue-purple-planet-s.jpgorange-gray-star-blue-purple-planet-shttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/epsilon-indi-s.pngepsilon-indi-shttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/five-layer-lenticular.pngfive-layer-lenticularhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/nuremberg_chronicles_-_sun_dogs_cciiiv.jpegOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/fargo_sundogs_2_18_09.jpegfargo_sundogs_2_18_09https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/double-ring-sun-dog-with-horns.pngdouble-ring-sun-dog-with-hornshttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/saskatchawan-sun-dog.jpegsaskatchawan-sun-dog2022-08-08T00:35:41+00:00monthlyhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/2021/12/26/i-have-loved-the-stars/2022-05-05T01:00:16+00:00monthlyhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/2022/01/11/the-nearby-stars-2/2022-01-11T22:06:35+00:00monthlyhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/2021/08/09/an-interview-with-dr-rakesh-mogul-of-nasas-office-of-planetary-protection/2021-08-09T22:43:08+00:00monthlyhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/2013/07/01/sofia-instruments-and-operations/https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/flight-crew-s.jpgFlight crew-sMy photo of a photo of the flight crews of SOFIA, undistorted.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/mirror-coating-facility.jpgMirror coating facilityMirror coating vacuum chamber. A layer of aluminum 1000 angstroms thick is vapor deposited onto the mirror.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/er-2-from-side.jpgER-2 from sideOne of the Environmental Research aircraft, formerly a U-2 spy planehttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/dc-8-left-side.jpgDC-8 left sideThe DC-8, which studies the atmosphere. Instruments are sticking out of the windows.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/great.jpgGREATGREAT: The German REceiver for Astronomy at Terahertz frequencieshttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/pre-flight-electronics.jpgPre-Flight electronicsElectronics for the focus simulatorhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/flange-end.jpgFlange endInstrument mount for the Pre-Flight Integration Simulatorhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/eric-sandberg-and-aaas.jpgEric Sandberg and AAAsEric Sandberg taking us on a tour of the hangar facilitieshttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/daof-badge.jpgDAOF badgeMy badge into the Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility (DAOF)https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/sofia-outside-hangar.jpgSOFIA outside hangarSOFIA preparing for tonight's flight outside the hangar2021-06-10T19:41:47+00:00monthlyhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/2020/12/23/selecting-the-next-landing-site-on-mars/2020-12-24T02:44:56+00:00monthlyhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/2020/08/16/searching-for-life-beyond/https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/grid-sample-s.jpgGrid sample-sSample grid at the high density sitehttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/david-black-at-hole-in-rock-s.jpgDavid Black at Hole in Rock-sDavid Black at Hole in the Rock in the Mojave National Preserve.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/desert-studies-center-s.jpgDesert Studies Center-sThe Desert Studies Center on Zzyzx Road neart Baker, CA. This station was originally a borax mining operation, then a religious health spa and now is operated by the California State University system. The laboratory building is on the left.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/in-the-lab-s.jpgIn the lab-sDr. Rakesh Mogul, lead author of the paper, testing biological soil crust samples in the lab at the Desert Studies Center on Zzyzx Road near Baker, CA.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/chris-mckay-in-mojave-desert-s.jpgChris McKay in Mojave Desert-sDr. Chris McKay, an astrobiologist with NASA Ames Research Center, in the Mojave National Preserve during our study of biological soil crusts; March 2012.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/david-at-site-s.jpgDavid at site-sDavid Black at the high density site along Kelbaker Road in the Mojave National Preserve; March 2012.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/tralfamadorian.pngTralfamadorianA Tralfamadorian as described by Kurt Vonnegut in Slaughterhouse-5, created as a 3D model by S. They are described as looking like toilet plungers with flexible shafts and a small hand on top bearing one green eye. They live continuously in four dimensions.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/exoplanet-by-t-1.jpgExoplanet by TA Neptune-class exoplanet, created by T.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/biological-soil-crust-large-map.jpgBiological soil crust large mapMap of where various soil crust studies have been done in the deserts of the western United States. Our study area was the red marker in the black outlined area of the Mojave National Preserve near Baker, CA. I am from the Great Basin area of western Utah, and in that area we have macrobiotic soils that form a hard crust that is easily broken through and are slow to regrow.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/soil-crust-photos.jpgSoil crust photosPhotos of biological soil crusts in the Mojave National Preserve taken from three sites along Kelbaker Road. Each site was analyzed with a grid to determine abundance of soil crusts, which are the small black mounds growing in sandy or gravely soils in the Mojave Desert.2020-09-22T21:49:25+00:00monthlyhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/2020/09/22/extremophiles-earth-analogs-for-alien-life/2020-09-22T21:34:43+00:00monthlyhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/2020/08/21/3d-printing-mars-terrains-using-mola-data/https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/jezero-crater-print.jpgJezero Crater print3D print of Jezero Crater on Mars, where Perseverance will land in February 2021. The river inlet in the upper left area of the crater is hard to see because of the trapping problem mentioned - thin channels tend to become closed off and thinner than they should be since the filament tends to expand slightly as it prints. The delta deposits next to the landing ellipse are just visible at the mouth of the inlet channel.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/kasei-valles-model.jpgKasei Valles model3D print of Kasei Valles on Mars. The color changing filament provides a nice topographic map effect. You can see the terracing because my layers are .27 mm thick. You can get smoother results with thinner layers, but some terracing will always be there unless you tip the model at 45 degrees.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/gale-crater-print.jpgGale Crater print3D print of Gale Crater using a color changing filament. My layer height was .27; a smoother model with less terracing can be achieved with thinner print layers.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/gale-after-flatten-remesh-s.jpgGale after flatten-remesh-sGale Crater model in SculptGL after flattening and remeshing. Choose the Topology pulldown menu, change the resolution to about 250, then click on the Remesh button. This will reduce the resolution of the model and make it printable. You will then need to build a base on it by adding a cube, merging the models, and exporting as an .STL or .OBJ for printing.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/ps-gale-model-in-sculptg-s.jpgPS Gale model in Sculptg-sGale Crater obj model in SculptGL. It needs to have its height flattened using the Transform tool.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/high-area-gradient-s-1.jpgHigh area gradient-sHere are the settings for fixing the dark (high altitude) gradient area. Inverse your selection from the first fix, then choose Adjustments-Levels again and set the dark output slider to 128 and move the white input slider over to the edge of the curve as shown. You can then deselect and save. The heightmap is now ready to turn into a 3D model as shown above.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/low-area-gradient-s-2.jpgLow area gradient-sTo solve the bi-gradient problem, you will need to use the magic wand set to a tolerance of 50 and with anti-aliasing and contiguous turned off to select the light areas. Then choose Adjustments-Levels and set the white output slider to 128 and the dark input slide to the edge of the curve to stretch out the light gradient.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/high-area-gradient-s.jpgHigh area gradient-shttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/ps-model-of-gale-s.jpgPS model of Gale-sThis is the grayscale image of Gale Crater converted into a 3D model in Adobe Photoshop. It's height is exaggerated and will need to be reduced in SculptGL.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/north-argyre-render.jpgNorth ARgyre renderA 3D render of MOLA data showing the area north of Argyre Planitia, with Nirgal Vallis and Holden Crater.2020-08-22T06:51:44+00:00monthlyhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/about/https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/dav-noah-jason-with-poster2.jpgDav-Noah-Jason with posterDavid, Noah, and Jason in front of their poster for the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference in Houston in March 2017.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/craig-and-david-with-pd-group.jpgCraig and David with PD groupPresenting a professional development workshop for teachers in the area of Banjarmasin in southern Borneo, Indonesia in 2017.2020-08-19T00:14:18+00:00weekly0.6https://spacedoutclassroom.com/2020/08/18/an-interview-with-dr-chris-mckay/https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/curiosity-path-through-sol-2829.jpgCuriosity path through Sol 2829Curiosity's path in Gale Crater from landing through Sol 2829 (July 2020). The rover is currently drilling and analyzing a clay-bearing member after passing over the Glenheugh formation.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/greenheugh-formation-nodules.jpgGreenheugh formation nodulesImage taken by Curiosity of the Greenheugh formation. The bumpy nodules on the rocks at the base of the layered member can only form in liquid water. The layered member was deposited in dry conditions, and other nodules were found on top of that, showing that the environment on Mars was alternatively wet and dry then wet again at this location. It appears that liquid water was around much longer than thought.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/curiosity-selfie-march-2020.pngCuriosity selfie March 2020Selfie of the Mars Science Lab (Curiosity) taken by the camera at the end of its robotic arm. This image was taken in March 2020 after Curiosity had been on Mars for eight years. It is covered in dust, but since it uses a plutonium RTG for power and not solar panels, it can get dusty without losing power. It is currently ascending Mt. Sharp in the middle of Gale Crater on Mars and sampling the phylosilicates (clay deposits) to look for organic molecules.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/chris-mckay-at-desert-studies-center.pngChris McKay at Desert Studies CenterDr. Chris McKay during our interview in the Mojave National Preserve. We were there to analyze biological soil crusts, which live in extreme conditions of heat and dryness. Such extremophiles provide analogs of possible life on other planets.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/chris-explains-lake-s.jpgChris explains lake-sStill from "Searching for Life Beyond Earth" a video on astrobiology created for PBS's NOVA. In this image, Chris McKay is explaining the liquid methane lakes on Titan, the largest moon of Saturn. Methane falls in large globules as rain on Titan, flows in river channels, and ends up in lakes. There is a possibility that with so many organic compounds, life could have evolved there although it is very cold. When the Huygens drop probe descended to the surface of Titan, it landed in a lake bed.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/chris-mckay-smiling-1.pngChris McKay smilingDr. Chris McKay, astrobiologist at NASA Ames Research Center.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/enceladus_plume.jpgEnceladus_PlumeImage from the Cassini probe of plumes jetting from cracks in the surface of Enceladus near its south pole. Instruments on Cassini confirmed that these plumes were mostly water and contained organics, two of the necessities for life.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/chris-with-methane-lake-s.jpgChris with methane lake -sChris McKay standing (supposedly) on the shore of a methane lake on Titan. This is a still from the "Search for Life Beyond Earth" video for NOVA. Chris told me that to film this, the video team took him to Lake Mead, then added in the orange methane clouds and Saturn with its rings in the background. They had hime walk to the shore and dip his hand in the water, which became liquid methane on Titan. https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/chris-during-interview-1.pngChris during interviewDr. Chris McKay during out interview in March 2012.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/chris-talking.pngChris talkingDr. Chris McKay at the Desert Studies Center on Zzyzx Road near Baker, CA; March 2012.2024-11-06T00:31:35+00:00monthlyhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/2019/12/21/fifty-years-ago/https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/vision-of-future.jpgVision of futureThis display was in one of the booths on the National Mall, and made we wonder what we will see in another 50 years. The last 50 years have been stunning even if we had only a brief time on the Moon. I can only hope that by then, we will have permanent bases on the Moon and Mars and a strong human presence throughout the solar system. The dreams of that nine-year-old boy will never die.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/where-the-unicorn-lives.jpgWhere the unicorn livesFor a number of years, NASA's space probe policy followed the mantra of "Faster, better, cheaper" but this led to several lost space probes, because you can only get two of these at a time - if it is fast and good, it cannot be cheap. If it is fast and cheap , it cannot be good. If it is cheap and good, it cannot be fast. The combination is where the unicorn lives . . . This sign was on the wall on the third floor of the Air and Space Museum. https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/big-boot-about-to-drop.jpgBig Boot about to dropA big balloon boot about to drop. It was timed to start descending exactly 50 years to the minute from when Neil Armstrong started to descend the ladder of the Lunar Module and touched down at the same time as his famous boot print on the Moon.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/nasm-crew.jpgNASM CrewSome of the NASM Crew that helped out with the 50th anniversary celebration of the Apollo 11 moon landing at the National Air and Space Museum.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/nasm-hallway.jpgNASM hallwayOn the top floor of the National Air and Space Museum. I was part of the NASM Crew for this 50th anniversary celebration and helped to judge the Goose Chase event. There were many activities going on in the museum, and this way I got to participate and help out.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/me-with-neil-suit.jpgMe with Neil suitDavid Black with Neil Armstrong's space suit from the Apollo 11 mission. I was fortunate to have this taken before the crowds were allowed into the museum.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/rover-rollover.jpgRover rolloverThe rover rollover challenge.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/jwst-explained.jpgJWST ExplainedExplaining the James Webb Space Telescope at a booth on the National Mall.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/lego-astronaut-with-girl.jpgLego astronaut with girlA LEGO astronaut with Moon Maiden. This is a re-creation of the same photograph posted above, complete with a reflection of Buzz in the visor.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/giant-moon-map.jpgGiant Moon mapA giant moon map on display on the National Mall next to the Air and Space Museum.2019-12-22T01:44:16+00:00monthlyhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/2019/10/06/launching-the-washington-monument/https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/screen-shot-2019-10-06-at-6.43.37-pm.pngScreen shot 2019-10-06 at 6.43.37 PMArtist's drawing of the Starship spacecraft detaching from the Super Heavy booster, a launch system being built and tested by SpaceX. It seems to me to be even odds as to which system makes it to the Moon first, and I expect Starship to make it to Mars first because Space X has the momentum that NASA lost in the 1970s and is still trying to recapture.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/screen-shot-2019-10-06-at-6.54.50-pm.pngScreen shot 2019-10-06 at 6.54.50 PMThe Space Launch System on its way into space. The first test launch will be in 2021 - hopefully.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/screen-shot-2019-10-06-at-6.55.52-pm.pngScreen shot 2019-10-06 at 6.55.52 PMOur return to the Moon will be through one of two systems. This is an artist's concept of the Space Launch System with Orion capsule, being built by NASA to build first the Gateway platform in cis-Lunar space, then send astronauts back to the moon through the Artemis program.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/my-tent-and-segways.jpgMy tent and SegwaysOne of the tents on the Mall was named after me - or at least had my name on it. I rather wish I could explore on a Seqway like these visitors.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/tiis-waiting-for-show.jpgTIIs waiting for showGetting hyped up for the show. https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/tiis-waiting-for-moon-show.jpgTIIs waiting for Moon showTIIs and various VIPs waiting for the 10:30 show of Go For the Moon. We got tickets to the VIP bleachers and a great view of the program.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/go-for-the-moon-end.jpgGo for the moon endAt the end of the show.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/launching-the-monument.jpgLaunching the monumentThe Washington Monument gets launched. With the large speaker stacks and video screens, it felt like I was actually there in Cape Canaveral for the launch of a Saturn V rocket. I was too young (nine years old) when the real Apollo 11 mission launched, but this was the next best thing.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/t-10.jpgT-10T minus 10 minutes and counting.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/waiting-for-the-show.jpgWaiting for the showCrowds gathered to prepare for the show. I sat among them for the 9:30 show to catch the vibe and hear their reactions. It was a real party!2019-10-07T04:17:13+00:00monthlyhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/2019/08/19/dropping-the-moon/https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/countdown-clock.jpgCountdown clockCounting down to the launch of the Washington Monument on Friday night.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/batmobile.jpgBatmobileThe Batmobile in the American History Museum.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/chinatown-gate.jpgChinatown gateGate to Chinatown. Sorry it is washed out - my camera was still set for low light conditions.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/happy-hour-group.jpgHappy hour groupPart of our group at the restaurant on Thursday, July 18https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/filtering-activity.jpgFiltering activityA water filtration system using common materials to filter the sludge in the bottle at right.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/american-history-inside-sign.jpgAMerican history inside signAn interior sign for the National Museum of American History, where we spent the afternoon. It has changed a great deal since the last time I was here.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/meteorite-group.jpgMeteorite groupPart of the 2019 TII cohort with Dr. Cari Corrigan in the meteorite collection at the American Museum of Natural History.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/me-holding-mars.jpgMe holding MarsMe holding a piece of Mars. Notice the extra hand under mine - Marc wanted to be certain I didn't drop this, too.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/lunar-meteorite-in-dome.jpgLunar meteorite in domeAnother lunar meteorite protected in a plexiglas dome.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/lunar-meteorite-i-dropped.jpgLunar meteorite I droppedThis is a piece of the Moon. Right before I dropped it . . .2019-08-19T19:35:16+00:00monthlyhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/2019/08/18/at-the-udvar-hazy-center/https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/manned-maneuvering-unit.jpgManned Maneuvering UnitManned Maneuvering Unit on display at the Air and Space Museumhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/group-inside-finished-dome.jpgGroup inside finished dome2019 Cohort of the Teacher Innovator Institute inside the finished Mars shelterhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/first-crosspiece-2.jpgFirst crosspiece 2The first level takes shapehttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/building-bottom-ring.jpgBuilding bottom ringBuilding the bottom ringhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/pathfinder-and-sojourner.jpgPathfinder and Sojournerhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/hazy-with-discovery.jpgHazy with DiscoveryThe space shuttle Discovery at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Centerhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/discovery-pano.jpgDiscovery panoA panoramic photograph of Space Shuttle Discoveryhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/group-at-georgetown-restaurant.jpgGroup at Georgetown restaurantA group of us at an Italian restaurant in Georgetownhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/wwii-airmen.jpgWWII airmenTwo veteran aviators from World War II, including Col. Charles McGee, one of the Tuskegee Airmen and the only pilot to have flown over 100 combat missions in each of World War II, Korea, and Vietnam.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/completed-shrinky-dink.jpgCompleted shrinky dinkColored plastic plate after heating and shrinking2019-08-18T22:54:59+00:00monthlyhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/2019/08/13/i-spy-with-my-little-eye/https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/easter-island-statue.jpgEaster Island statueA Moai statue from Easter Island, carved by the Rapa Nui people.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/mineral-spectrum.jpgMineral spectrumA spectrum of minerals, showing the wide variety of colors that can come from various minerals, ranging from purple amethyst on the left to red rhodochrosite on the right.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/nasm-observator-tour.jpgNASM observator tourTour of the Phoebe Waterman Haas Observatory at the Air and Space Museumhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/sapphires.jpgSapphiresSapphires on display at the Natural History Museumhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/emeralds.jpgEmeraldsEmeralds on display in the Natural History Museumhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/moon-rock-lit-up.jpgMoon rock lit upA piece of lunar brecchia brought back from the Apollo missions.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/shergotty-2.jpgShergotty 2This is a piece of the famous Shergotty meteorite, which has been identified as coming from Mars.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/banded-iron-deposits.jpgBanded iron depositsBanded iron oxide deposits from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. When cyanobacteria flooded the Earth's atmosphere with free oxygen in the Great Oxygenation Event (which may be the greatest environmental catastrophe of all time), it oxidized vast amounts of iron in the oceans which precipitated out as these deposits.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/millard-county-trilobite.jpgMillard County trilobiteA trilobite fossil in the Natural History Museum that comes from the House Range in Western Utah, near where I grew up. My grandfather used to take me to dig up trilobites in the area near Antelope Springs.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/quad-copter.jpgQuad copterDemonstrating how to use a Parrot Drone quadcopter.2019-08-13T19:53:10+00:00monthlyhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/2019/08/04/teacher-innovator-institute/https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/milestones-of-flight-mural.jpgMilestones of flight muralThis mural is called Milestones of Flight and it is hanging up on the wall on the ground floor of the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. I have a copy of this hanging on my wall at school.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/jim-irwin-suit-3.jpgJim Irwin suit 3Jim Irwin's spacesuit from the Apollo 15 mission, complete with helmet, gloves, and lunar dust. https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/close-encounters-ship.jpgClose Encounters shipRecognize this? It is the original model for the Mother Ship in "Close Encounters of the Third Kind." Now imagine it with a lot of colored LED lights and that classic John Williams sound track: "Bom bom bom BAH DAH!" Somewhere on here is supposed to be a small model of R2-D2 but I didn't find it.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/lunar-receiving-lab.jpgLunar REceiving labThe Lunar Receiving Lab, which was on the USS Hornet when they recovered the Apollo 11 astronauts. They had to live inside in isolation for two weeks just to make sure they didn't bring any Moon bugs back with them. There is a famous photo of Pres. Nixon talking to them through the window at the end to my right.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/sr-71.jpgSR 71The SR-71 Blackbird on display at the National Air and Space Museum in Chantilly, VA.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/me-by-discovery.jpgMe by DiscoveryDavid Black by the Space Shuttle Discovery at the National Air and Space Museum; July 2019.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/tii-breakfast-by-shuttle.jpgTII breakfast by shuttleTeachers for the Institute eating breakfast under the nose of the Space Shuttle Discovery.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/ellen-stofan-keynote-at-tii.jpgEllen Stofan keynote at TIIDr. Ellen Stofan welcomes us to the Teacher Innovator Institute. She is speaking under the nose of the Space Shuttle Discovery.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/hazy-center-entrance.jpgHazy Center entranceEntrance to the Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/group-waiting-for-bus.jpgGroup waiting for busA group of teachers, mostly from the 2018 cohort, waiting for the bus.2019-08-05T03:13:34+00:00monthlyhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/2019/08/04/a-cruise-of-cohorts/https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/rolls-and-ferrari.jpgRolls and FerrariOne thing about being in D.C., you see a better class of cars. Here are a Rolls-Royce and a Ferrari in the same photo.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/stain-glass-blues-natl-cathedral.jpgStain glass-blues-Natl CathedralBeautiful stained glass windows in the National Cathedral.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/locks-open.jpgLocks openAll locks open. The small black lockbox with my ticket to the breakfast in the morning is open at last, with a little help from my friends and cohort.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/capitol-from-potomac.jpgCapitol from PotomacThe Capitol Building at sunset from the Potomac River.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/washington-and-jefferson.jpgWashington and JeffersonWashington Monument and Jefferson Memorial at sunset from the Potomac River. The Jefferson Memorial is being rennovated.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/watergate-at-sunset.jpgWatergate at sunsetThe Watergate Complex at sunset. An infamous event occurred here in 1972 that eventually brought down a president.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/cruise-pano-small.jpgCruise pano smallA panorama of the teachers on board our return ferryboat on the Potomac River.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/plane-cloud-and-fountain.jpgPlane cloud and fountainFountain, cloud, and airplane over Old Town Alexandria.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/alexandria-city-hall.jpgAlexandria City HallOld Town Alexandria city hall and fountain.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/ferryboat-docks.jpgFerryboat docksFerryboats at the docks at Georgetown. The Watergate Complex and Kennedy Center lie downriver.2019-08-04T22:14:38+00:00monthlyhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/2019/07/14/on-a-new-adventure/https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/dorm-room-american-univ.jpgDorm room-American UnivOur dorm room at American University. We are staying in Federal Hall. Shannon Baldioli, who heads the Institute for the Naitonal Air and Space Museum, left us gifts - water bottles, shirts, name tags, stickers, books on the exhibits, and a backpack. Let the bling begin!https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/cleveland-park-target.jpgCleveland Park TargetSign in the Target at Cleveland Park.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/tii-teachers-in-tenleytown-station.jpgTII teachers in Tenleytown StationSome of the teachers in the 2019 cohort for the Teacher Innovator Institute. They are, left to right, Paula, Monica, Monic, Hunter, Michelle, and Ruth.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/dc-metro-interior.jpgDC Metro interiorI took the Yellow Line Metro line from the airport to Gallery Place, then switched to the Red Line and got off at the Tenleytown-AU station.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/dca-tower.jpgDCA towerAir Traffic Control tower at Reagan National Airport.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/airplane-and-capitol-bldg.jpgAirplane and Capitol BldgAn airplane taxis on the runway at Reagan National Airport with the Potomac River and the Capital Building in the background.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/slc-airplane-arrives.jpgSLC airplane arrivesOur flight arrives at the Salt Lake International Airport. I flew to Washington, D.C. for the Teacher Innovator Institute at the National Air and Space Museum.2019-07-14T12:56:53+00:00monthlyhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/2019/02/28/a-constellation-in-a-box/https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/constellation-in-box-diagram-s.jpgConstellation in box diagram-sDiagram of the constellation in a box and instructions for hanging the star beads.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/scorpio-and-gemini.jpgScorpio and GeminiCompleted boxes for Scorpio and Gemini, with distortion diagrams included.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/capricorn-and-canis-major.jpgCapricorn and Canis MajorConstellation diagrams before taping in their boxes. The students trace these out using Stellarium and a projector and add the star colors, names, coordinates, and spectral types with asterism lines.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/row-of-constellation-boxes-aai.jpgRow of constellation boxes-AAIA row of completed constellation boxes at American Academy of Innovation.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/thumbs-up.jpgThumbs upDoing great! Students charting out the change in the stars' apparent positions as the observer moves.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/gemini-distrotions-drawn.jpgGemini distrotions drawnA completed diagram of Gemini with the original constellation as seen form the center of the eyepiece (Earth's position) and from other locations as shown by different colored markers. Castor and Pollux move much more than Wasat because they are closer to Earth and there is more parallax as a result of the change of the observer's position.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/orion-distorted.jpgOrion distortedMoving the viewer's position 5 cm to the left produces distortion in the constellation as the closer stars appear to move further to the right. Only Alnilam, the center star in Orion's belt, appears to not move very much because it is in the far distance next to the back of the box.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/measuring-to-hang-star.jpgMeasuring to hang starStudents measuring the scale distance for where to hang the star bead from Earth's position (the eyepiece ring) to the horizontal position of the star in the diagram of Scorpio.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/tracing-constellation.jpgTracing constellation6th grade students tracing their constellation on paper using Stellarium to project it on to a white board.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/students-drawing-orion.jpgStudents drawing Orion2023-01-18T17:28:58+00:00monthlyhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/2019/02/25/farewell-to-opportunity/https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/robogroup.jpgRoboGroupThe participants in the 2004 NASA Explorer Schools robotics workshop at JPL. This week long workshop focused on Mars exploration and robotics, and we spent much of the time building LEGO Mars rovers and paper mache Mars terrains to learn how to remotely guide a rover. We also toured JPL and the robotics labs there. I am at far left next to Art Hammon (dark blue shirt and white shorts). Dave Seidel is at the far right on the third row back.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/meridianibrycesquare.jpgMeridianiBryceSquareA 3D model of the area of Terra Meridiani around Miyamoto Crater (the crater of the sickle moon in upper left). The Opportunity rover landed just north of Miyamoto. This area was identified from orbit as having large deposits of specular hematite, which forms in running water. There are numerous old river channels crossing Terra Meridiani, as you can see in this model.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/tower1.jpgTower1Participants in the 2002 NEWMAST workshop inside the 25-foot vacuum chamber in the Environmental Test Lab at JPL. This chamber is used to test the re-assembled space probes by pumping out all the air and hitting the probes with high radiation from arc lamps to simulate the conditions of space.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/gale-crater-3d.jpgGale crater 3DA 3D model of Gale Crater on Mars, where the Curiosity rover landed in 2012. I was at JPL for the week leading up to the landing, and it was a fun time to be part of it all.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/mars-interface-mer.jpgMars Interface-MERInterface for the Mars Exploration project my students created in 2004. They presented this at the MESDT symposium at Arizona State University.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/daveb-hibay.jpgDaveB-HiBayA photo of me taken from the gallery overlooking High Bay 2 in 2002. The Mars Exploration Rovers are being assembled inside the clean room. I can count many opportunities in my own life because of Opportunity and Spirit. I'm sad they are now part of history after 14 years of operation on Mars.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/sunbath2.jpgSunbath2Sunbathing on Mars. Or at least, the Mars Yard.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/jpl-all.jpgJPL allA view of all of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. I've had the privilege of visiting JPL on many occasions and I consider it to be the most amazing place on the planet.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/mars-article-matc-f.jpgMars article-MATC-fNewspaper article in the Deseret News, with interviews of my students and images they created including 3D models of the Sojourner Rover, the Mars Odyssey orbiter, and a 3D image of Mars using MOLA data. They were interviewed by two TV stations, two newspapers, and the Associated Press out of Los Angeles.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/mesdt-symp-isaac-present-f-1.jpgMESDT symp-Isaac present-fIsaac and Renn, two of my media design students, present their Mars interface and project to students for the Mars Exploration Student Data Team program in 2004 at a symposium at Arizona State University.2019-02-26T17:32:40+00:00monthlyhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/2018/10/18/evaluating-the-mars-project-at-aai/https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/video-team-leads.jpgVideo team leadsThe leaders of our video team. They coordinated cameras, downloaded videos and photos, and made sure we had every team presentation covered. The photos you see on this blog wouldn't have happened without them. https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/walking-to-planetarium.jpgWalking to planetariumAAI teachers and students walking to the Clark Planetarium. These were the winning teams for our Mars Exploration projects.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/aai-students-to-planetarium.jpgAAI students to planetariumAAI students riding TRAX on our way to the Clark Planetarium.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/waiting-for-trax.jpgWaiting for TraxAAI students waiting for the TRAX red line train to visit Clark Planetarium.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/carson-wind-tunnel-present.jpgCarson-wind tunnel presentOne of our student leaders presenting on his wind tunnel experiments. Some of the students did dress up well, but not all of them seemed to have gotten the memo.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/engineering-design-process.jpgengineering-design-processEngineering design modelhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/think.jpgthinkReflecting on the learning process is an essential part of PBLhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/inquiry-process-model.jpgInquiry-Process-ModelAnother model of the inquiry process.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/reasons-use-inquiry-fic.pngreasons-use-inquiry-ficTen reasons for using an inquiry-based learning approach.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/inquiry-steps-diagram.jpgInquiry steps diagramA schematic diagram of the inquiry process2018-10-18T16:49:43+00:00monthlyhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/2018/09/06/the-big-mars-day-presenting-our-final-projects/https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/mars-evening-audience.jpgMars evening audienceWe had a good turn out for our Mars evening event, even considering we charged admittance (to raise money). Here some of the attendees are in our library listening to a presentation. My video group filmed and photographed all the day's activities.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/middle-school-smash-group.jpgMiddle school smash groupThe Smash-Proof Material group. They wrapped an old iPhone in the material and hit it with a hammer. It didn't break! It could be used for building landers for Mars.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/mars-individ-project-s.jpgMars individ project-sSmall group presentations during our Mars Day event.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/mars-minecraft-project.jpgMars Minecraft projectA Mars Minecraft mod with a colony incased in a force field to protect it and maintain atmosphere. About four individual students each developed their own versions of Mars-themed Minecraft environments based on actual Mars facts and data.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/mars-clothing-group-4-28.jpgMars clothing group-4-28Mars Fashion project. This group called their Martian clothing design shop 687 Design, as that is the number of days it takes for Mars to orbit the sun.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/smach-group-4-28-evening.jpgSmach group-4-28 eveningThe Smash-Proof Material group presenting during our Evening Mars Event.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wing-shape-individ-project.jpgWing shape individ projectJudges viewing the Wing Shape individual project on our Mars Day.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/individual-projects.jpgIndividual projectsStudents visiting the individual and small team projects in our gym on our Mars Day, April 28, 2017.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/building-habitat-2.jpgBuilding habitat-2The Mars Habitat team building the framework.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/moving-roof-to-habitat-s.jpgMoving roof to habitat-sThe Mars Habitat group lifting the frame for the central pod roof into place.2018-09-06T21:33:03+00:00monthlyhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/2018/08/29/presenting-at-the-lunar-and-planetary-science-conference/https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/aai-in-the-sand.jpgAAI in the sandNoah and Jason writing AAI (for American Academy of Innovation) in the sand at Sylvan Beach near La Porte, Texas.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/pier-at-sylvan-beach.jpgPier at Sylvan BeachThe fishing pier at Sylvan Bean on Galveston Bay, Texas.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/buoy-and-boat.jpgBuoy and boatA buoy, a cargo boat, and a pier in Galveston Bay at Sylvan Beach near La Porte.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/cajun-crawdads.jpgCajun crawdadsNoah and Jason eating Cajun crawdads. You've gotta try them at least once.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/a-real-ferrari.jpgA real FerrariA real Ferrari! Well, I can dream, can't i?https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/curiosity-path.jpgCuriosity pathPoster showing the Curiosity rover's path across Gale Crater on Mars. There were several concurrent sessions on the results so far of the Curiosity mission,https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/mr-jacobsen-gets-award-s.jpgMr Jacobsen gets award-sJ. Fay Jacobsen receiving an award for excellence in science education from the Northwest Regional Accreditation organization. I am the dorky one standing second from left. Talk about a bad 1070s hair style! These are all still good friends of mine and it's been 40 years now.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/students-with-moon-rocks.jpgStudents with moon rocksJason and Noah with Moon rocks at the Lunar and Planetary Institute booth at the conference.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/david-black-with-poster.jpgDavid Black with posterDavid Black posing with our poster at the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/noah-explains-to-christine-shupla.jpgNoah explains to Christine ShuplaNoah explains our poster to Christine Shupla of the Lunar and Planetary Institute. I've worked with her before on a 3D animation of the Moon my students created.2018-08-29T20:36:56+00:00monthlyhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/2018/08/17/a-poster-at-the-lunar-and-planetary-science-conference/https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/panel-discussion-bussey.jpgPanel discussion-BusseyA panel discussion about space exploration plans. Jim Green is in the middle, Ben Bussey on the right.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/ben-bussey.jpegBen Bussey PortraitDr. Ben Bussey, who spoke at the NASA Town Hall Meeting about a planned inflatable habitat in cis-Lunar space.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/james_l_green.jpgJames_L_GreenJim Green, now Chief Scientist for NASA. My students and I talked with Dr. Green before the NASA Town Hall Meeting.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/jim-green-presenting-budget.jpgJim Green presenting budgetDr. Jim Green presents highlights of the NASA Fiscal Year 2018 budget related to planetary science.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/noah-jason-at-nasa-town-mtg.jpgNoah-Jason at NASA town mtgAt the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference in Houston waiting for the NASA Town Hall Meeting to start.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/jim-green-talking-with-aai-studs.jpgJim Green talking with AAI studsDr. Jim Green, NASA Chief Scientist, discussing aerospace careers with m students Noah and Jason.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/jim-green-with-noah-jason1.jpgJim Green with Noah-JasonDr. Jim Green, NASA Chief Scientist, with students from American Academy of Innovation at the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference in Houston, March 2017.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/jason-and-mike-at-airport.jpgJason and MIke at airportJason and his father Mike waiting at the airport to board our plane to Houston.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/houston_no_problem-s.jpghouston_no_problem-sDavid Black sitting in the flight director's chair in the old green Apollo control room at Johnson Space Center during my 2004 trip to the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference.2018-08-17T22:48:29+00:00monthlyhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/2018/08/16/launching-the-mars-project/https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/interviews-3.jpgInterviews 3Interviews for Mars Project groups. The leaders each prepared a list of questions to ask the candidates.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/amanda-speaking-to-parents.jpgAmanda speaking to parentsAmanda, one of our Mars Project team leaders, addressing a group of parents about her Mars Novella project.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/interviews-for-mars-groups.jpgInterviews for Mars groupsMars Project team leaders interviewing candidates in our school library. Some of the teams interviewed in the study rooms and posted their schedules on the doors, some did group interviews, etc. https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/interviews-4.jpgInterviews 4The Mars Novella group leaders interviewing a candidate for their team.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/interviews-2.jpgInterviews 2Students interviewing for "jobs" on our Mars Project teams. Each student decided which teams to apply for, wrote cover letters and created a resume. The team leaders took their responsibilities very seriously and did a fantastic job interviewing candidates.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/video-game-advert-s.jpgVideo game advert-sI posted descriptions of all the projects all over the school. Students signed up for times to interview with the team leaders. One team decided to post advertisements to recruit the best students. We tried to simulate real world job interview skills.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/sarah-poster-group.jpgSarah poster groupSome of the members of the history poster project, including Sarah (back row left) who was the team leader.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/group-leaders-waiting-to-speak.jpgGroup leaders waiting to speakSome of our Mars Project group leaders waiting to speak about their projects to parents at a Back to School night.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/mars-group-leaders.jpgMars group leadersSome of the student leaders for our Mars project at AAI. Out of 13 projects, 7 were led by female students and four were led by 7-8th grade students.2018-08-16T21:04:36+00:00monthlyhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/2018/08/15/mars-seminars-preparing-for-a-school-wide-pbl/https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/mars-art-projects.jpgMars art projectsMars Art seminarhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/phobos-colony.jpgPhobos colonyPhobos Colony, orbiting Marshttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/smiley-probe.jpgSmiley probeA happy Mars probe.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/mars-at-night.jpgMars at nightThe Red Planet at Night - Mars glows red-orange in the night sky above a forest on Earth.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/me-teaching-mars-seminar.jpgMe teaching Mars seminarMe teaching the Mars Landing Site Selection activity. My science classroom was having cabinets installed, so I had to teach out of the library for about a month.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/candy-probe.jpgCandy probeA candy Mars probe.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/candy-probes-seminar.jpgCandy probes seminarMaking Mars probes out of candy, one of my Mars Seminars.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/earthrise-over-moon.jpgEarthrise over MoonEarth Rising Over the Moon - a student art project for our Mars Seminars.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/mars-reflected-in-eye.jpgMars reflected in eyeMars reflected in an astronaut's eye. A student project from our Mars Seminars at AAI.2018-08-15T21:57:51+00:00monthlyhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/2018/08/13/traveling-to-mars/https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/path-to-mars.pngPath to MarsOur video playing on YouTube. Just search for "David Black mars habitat" in the YouTube search engine.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/whole-ship-w-labels-s.jpgWhole ship w labels-sA render of the entire ship with labels. The ship would go into orbit around Mars and the astronauts would take the landing craft (right) down to the surface.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/path-to-mars-green-dot.jpgPath to Mars-green dotRyan narrating the spaceship's path, shown as the green arc and dot. Here the ship leaves Earth, slows down, and moves out to Mars' orbit. Earth overtakes and moves ahead of the ship. The halfway point occurs during inferior conjunction, or oppostion, when the Sun, Earth, and Mars are aligned. The entire journey takes 6-8 months using conventional rockets, shorter for a VASIMR drive.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/orbits-diagram.jpgOrbits diagramPlanet orbit diagram. I did the orbits to scale, with correct orbital periods.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/jezero-crater-labels.jpgJezero Crater-labelsJezero Crater closeup with features labeled. This image was rendered using Mar MOLA data from the Mars Global Surveyor probe.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/jezero-and-hargrave-labels.jpgJezero and Hargrave-labelsJezero Crater, one of the three finalists for the Mars 2020 rover landing site.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/ryan-narrates-orion-launch.jpgRyan narrates Orion launchRyan narrating the Orion launch and docking animation sequence.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/jason-narrating.jpgJason narratingJason narrating the video in front of a green screen, with an image of Mars added behind him. This is of a river channel running north from Argyre Planitia.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/hab-video-title.jpgHab video titleAAI Mars space habitat video title framehttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/top-view-ship-s.jpgTop view-ship-sTop view of the Ares Voyager spaceship assembly. The Orion capsule (with blue solar panels) is docked with the Docking Module. The main inflatable habitat is the white cylinder, with fuel, air, and water tanks in gold. The VASIMR drive is on the left.2019-08-03T02:24:54+00:00monthlyhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/2017/05/13/arrakeen-colony-mars/https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/residential-level.jpgResidential LevelResidential and Manufacturing Levels of Arrakeen City.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/arrakeen-3d-partial.jpgArrakeen 3D-partialA 3D version of the city, partially complete. The levels would be enclosed in domes to protect the atmosphere inside.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/roof-with-shuttles.jpgRoof with shuttlesUpper dome with landing pads. The shuttle models are attached with magnetic buttons. Notice the communications dish, the defensive laser turret, and the observatory dome and telescope.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/greenhouses-2.jpgGreenhouses-2Greenhouses and Air Circulation Center: On the other side of the city from the construction site stand a series of greenhouses to recirculate air and add oxygen. Most oxygen is produced by cracking atmospheric carbon dioxide in the processing plant next to the main greenhouse. Initial power for the city is supplied by the nuclear power plant in the upper left. At lower left is the heating plant and main circulation pumping station for the greenhouses.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/construction-site-2.jpgConstruction site-2Construction site on Mars. The large building under construction (left) is for manufacturing solar panels, a critical limiting factor for expanding the colony. Notice the construction crane with moving arm. A bulldozer is pushing up dirt into a ridge, with a steamroller flattening the dirt behind. At the lower right, a nuclear power plant and charging station is used to recharge the equipment batteries, aided by two small solar panels. A fork lift is parked nearby awaiting recharge. Astronauts in spacesuits are working at the site. Nearer the city stands the main communication link with Earth and a rotation communication and radar installation. Two small rovers are attached by access tubes to the city.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/arrakeen-other-side.jpgArrakeen-other sideArrakeen City near completion.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/painted-baseboards.jpgPainted baseboardsThe completed baseboards, painted to look like the surface of Mars.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/painting-the-bases.jpgPainting the basesSTEAM it Up students painting the dried baseboards using tempura paint.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/paper-mache.jpgPaper macheBaseboards with paper maché added. The large based used traditional newspaper strips soaked in flour-water paste, the other two used commercial paper pulp. We designed it to look like a realistic site on Mars with craters that have been partially removed for construction.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/adding-upper-pillars.jpgAdding upper pillarsDuring winter break, I added residential housing units to the second level and created pillars to support the upper dome.2017-05-13T22:47:54+00:00monthlyhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/2017/03/12/using-mars-mola-3d-data/https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/mawrth-vallis-3d-print.jpgMawrth Vallis 3D print3D print of the Mawrth Vallis area of Mars. By rotating the model 45 °, the 3D printer can have higher resolution without needing extra supports or clean up.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/chryse-render-2.jpgCHryse render 2Final terrain rendered in Daz3D Bryce.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/chryse-rendering-in-bryce.jpgChryse rendering in BryceThe model of Chryse Planitia flattened on the Y axis with an altitude sensitive texture, rendering in Daz3D Bryce.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/terrain-editor-in-bryce.jpgTerrain editor in BryceLoading the cropped grayscale height map image into the terrain editor in Daz3D Bryce. You must increase the resolution of the grid to Gigantic size, then click the Load buttons under the Pictures tab.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/44n270-quadrangle-in-imagej.jpg44n270 quadrangle in ImageJThe full Mars quadrangle loaded into Image J. This is the megt44n270hb.img file, and contains the areas of Chryse Planitia, Ares Vallis, Aram Chaos, and Mawrth Vallis.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/raw-import-settings-for-mars-data.jpgRaw import settings for Mars dataImport settings for the raw .IMG Mars quadrangle data. The data has 16-bits per pixel with both positive and negative values (signed). Reading the .LBL file, the data is 11530 pixels wide by 5632 pixels tall. It is a large file, and may need to be cropped in Adobe Photoshop or other program.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/kees-image.pngKees imageAn image created by Kees Veenenbos using Mars MOLA data and Terragens software. It shows the western end of Valles Marineris and Noctis Labrynthus.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/me-teaching-mars-data.pngMe Teaching Mars dataTeaching how to use the Mars MOLA 3D altitude data, a screen shot from my video.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/data-video-title.pngData video titleThe title for my Mars 3D Data video.2018-05-11T20:22:36+00:00monthlyhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/2017/02/11/students-as-teachers/https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/rolo-wheels.jpgrolo-wheelsUsing Rolos for wheels.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/jon-with-probe.jpgjon-with-probeJonathan with his spacehttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/ex-ter-min-ate.jpgex-ter-min-ateNot exactly a space probe: "Ex-ter-min-ate! Ex-ter-min-ate!"https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/candy-pathfinder.jpgcandy-pathfinderThe Mars Pathfinder lander built out of candy. I especially like the little wafer Sojourner Rover.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/kids-with-probes.jpgkids-with-probesBuilding space probe models out of candy.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/boy-holding-probe.jpgboy-holding-probeAnother satisfied customer . . .https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/crowded-room.jpgcrowded-roomOur candy space probe activity was a huge hit; we had to let people do this in three shifts to get everyone in, and counted about 200 people for this activity.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/candy-probes-table.jpgcandy-probes-tableParticipants in Astrofest making candy space probe models; May 2015.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/simulated-moon.jpgsimulated-moonA simulated lunar surface at the BYU Astrofest in May 2015.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/enhanced-color-mercury-data.jpgenhanced-color-mercury-dataEnhanced color Mercury data from the MESSENGER probe, as created by participants at BYU's 2015 Astrofest.2017-02-12T05:16:02+00:00monthlyhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/2017/02/06/messenger-of-the-gods/https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/rays-and-volcanics-s.jpgrays-and-volcanics-sIn this enhanced color image, the crater with the yellow bottom shows hollows and pits that are fairly recent and show that Mercury's surface is still evolving. The blue-lavender lines are ejected rays from a crater to the north.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/elena-mitchell-with-project.jpgelena-mitchell-with-projectElena with her science fair project. She won a Sweepstakes Award at the Central Utah Science and Engineering Fair (CUSEF) and traveled to the International Science and Engineering Fair in Pittsburg in May, 2015.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/mercury-science-fair-project.jpgmercury-science-fair-projectElena's science fair project. She explains the process she used to combine three wavelengths into the RGB channels of Adobe Photoshop to make our enhanced color images. She also took MLA data to make 3D models, and built a paper model of MESSENGER (below left).https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/ghost-craters-and-lava-flows-s.jpgghost-craters-and-lava-flows-sA view toward the north pole of Mercury using enhanced MDIS images of 430, 630, and 1000 nm mapped into the RGB channels in Adobe Photoshop and enhanced (added contrast and color saturation). You can see ghost craters where lava flows have filled in the crater but left slight impressions behind.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/lermontov-region-s.jpglermontov-region-sLermantov Crater shows pits and hollows inside that appear to be associated with recent volcanic activity. Of course, on Mercury, "recent" could mean a billion years.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/rachmaninoff-430-630-1000-s.jpgrachmaninoff-430-630-1000-sThe brightest area on Mercury is this region northeast of Rachmaninoff Basin. In this enhanced color image, it is clearly showing recent volcanism. The basin itself shows a double ring with different chemical compositions in each ring - more sulfur-based materials in the center, more magnesium in the outer ring (if our analysis is correct). You can also see how piecing the mosaics together led to some calibration issues when we enhanced the color.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/large-ringed-crater-s.jpglarge-ringed-crater-sA large double-ringed impact basin on Mercury. In this enhanced color image, yellow-orange areas indicate volcanic features. This crater was filled by a basaltic eruption.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/rays-on-mercury-s.jpgrays-on-mercury-sHere is the same crater in enhanced color. The bluish-lavender lines are rays ejected from the impact. They are more visible in the 430 nm MDIS image, here mapped to the blue channel in Adobe Photoshop.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/blue-rays-s.jpgblue-rays-sMore rays ejected onto the Mercury surface by impacts. Some of these impacts have rays that cover much of the surface. In this enhanced color image, impact features are blue-lavender and volcanic features are yellow-orange (higher sulfur).https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/merc12-s.jpgmerc12-sLarge double-ringed impact basins on Mercury. The distinct crater at the north has rays that cover much of Mercury's surface, but they are much more obvious in our enhanced color images (see below).2017-02-06T07:23:59+00:00monthlyhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/2017/01/22/publishing-a-3d-illustration-of-sofia/https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/headset.jpgheadsetA render of a 3D headset model created by my student Casey for the SOFIA interior.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/sofia-layout-s.jpgSOFIA layoutDiagram of the SOFIA fuselage interior that I drew for my 3D modeling students to learn the basic layout. We started modeling the parts, but didn't have time in the semester to finish.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/sofia-left-side-all-s.jpgsofia-left-side-all-sSOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy) 3D model built by my 6th grade Creative Computing students in 2013. The telescope assembly by Rosie is incorporated into this model (see the open window).https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/3d-sofia-telescope-with-labels.jpg3d-sofia-telescope-with-labelsOur 3D image of the telescope assembly and bulkhead aboard SOFIA. The labels/call-outs were added by Sky and Telescope Magazine.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/sofia-article-s.jpgsofia-article-sArticle by Kelly Beatty in Sky and Telescope Magazine, featuring a 3D illustration of the SOFIA telescope by my student, Rosie.2017-01-23T04:23:00+00:00monthlyhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/2017/01/22/returning-from-the-aas-thursday-jan-8-2015/https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/seattle-tacoma-airport.jpgseattle-tacoma-airportSeattle-Tacoma Airport as seen from the light rail system on our way home from Seattle.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/hotel-from-outside.jpghotel-from-outsideThe Hyatt Regency Hotel in downtown Seattle, where we stayed for the AAS conference.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/top-pot-doughnuts.jpgtop-pot-doughnutsOn our way to Top Pot Doughnuts. It's kind of a tradition.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/monorail.jpgmonorailThe Seattle monorail system. I first saw this in 1968 when my family visited the Seattle World's Fair.2017-01-23T01:35:51+00:00monthlyhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/2016/12/30/aas-in-seattle-wed-jan-7-2015/https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/crepes-in-seattle.jpgcrepes-in-seattleEating crepes at the Seattle convention center; Jan. 7, 2015.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/seattle-twilight.jpgseattle-twilightSeattle at twilight as seen from our hotel room. The sign for our restaurant for dinner can be seen at bottom right.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/seattle-streets.jpgseattle-streetsThe streets of Seattle as I looked for a place for a late lunch.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/walden-students-by-aas-main-sign.jpgwalden-students-by-aas-main-signMyself and my students from Walden School of Liberal Arts at the American Astronomical Society conference in Seattle; Jan. 2015.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/black-hole-merger.jpgblack-hole-mergerArtist's concept of what two merging black holes might look likehttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/nitarp-2014-students-by-poster.jpgnitarp-2014-students-by-posterStudents from Utah, Oregon, and Nebraska in front of their poster at the American Astronomical Society conference in Seattle; Jan. 2015.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/walden-students-by-sci-poster.jpgwalden-students-by-sci-posterStudents from Walden School of Liberal Arts in front of their NITARP poster at the American Astronomical Society conference in Seattle in January 2015. I must have cracked a joke just before this was taken . . . https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/kendall-explains-poster.jpgkendall-explains-posterKendall explains the students' NITARP poster at the Seattle AAS conference in 2015.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/julie-explains-poster.jpgjulie-explains-posterJulie explaining the NITARP student science poster while I look on.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/town-mtg.jpgtown-mtgDr. Paul Hertz at the NASA Town Hall Meeting at the 2015 American Astronomical Society conference in Seattle.2016-12-31T04:00:08+00:00monthlyhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/2016/12/28/aas-in-seattle-tuesday-jan-6-2015/https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/four-teachers-by-ed-poster.jpgfour-teachers-by-ed-posterJohn Gibb, Elin Deeb, Estefania Larson, and David Black presenting their poster on the NITARP education program at the AAS conference in Seattle; Jan. 6, 2015.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/independent-nitarpers.jpgindependent-nitarpersChelin Johnson (left with camera) and her students presenting their poster on an independent project at the AAS education poster session.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/dr-hintz-presenting-poster.jpgdr-hintz-presenting-posterDr. Eric Hintz of Brigham Young University presenting his poster at the AAS educational session. https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/me-presenting-my-poster.jpgme-presenting-my-posterPresenting my poster at the AAS conference.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/me-by-poster.jpgme-by-posterDavid Black standing by his poster at the AAS education session; Jan. 6, 2015.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/david-black-poster.jpgdavid-black-posterMy personal poster at the AAS education poster session on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2015. It explains several lesson plans I taught in my astronomy class that were developed from my work at the BYU-RET during the summer of 2014.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/philae_found-2-s.jpgphilae_found-2-sFinal resting place of the Philae lander after it bounced off the surface of Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/philaes_sci_instruments.jpgphilaes_sci_instrumentsDiagram of the Philae lander. The MUPUS are two harpoons that were supposed to anchor the lander to the surface of the comet, but the lander bounced off and came to rest wedged on its side next to a cliff. https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/comet_67p-s.jpgcomet_67p-sAnother view of the "rubber ducky" shape of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, taken from the Rosetta orbiter.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/rosetta_and_philae-s.jpgrosetta_and_philae-sAn artist's illustration of the Rosetta orbiter and Philae lander. The comet wound up being much more interesting that this illustration shows.2016-12-28T20:30:45+00:00monthlyhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/2016/02/21/2015-aas-in-seattle-day-2-a-sampler-of-sessions/https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/pickering_van-allen_von-braun.jpgPickering_Van-Allen_von-BraunWilliam Pickering, James Van Allen, and Werner von Braun holding up a model of the Explorer 1 space probe after it successfully discovered the Van Allen Radiation Zones.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/grunsfeld-repairing-hubble.jpgGrunsfeld repairing HubbleJohn Grunsfeld repairing the Hubble Space Telescope. Say what you may about the Human Exploration and Development of Space (HEDS) mission of NASA, there are many things that simply can't be done by robots or space probes. Finding life on Mars or elsewhere may well be something that only people with eyes and brains on the site can do.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/nitarp-group-photo-seattle-2015.pngNITARP group photo-Seattle 2015The entire NITARP group at the 2015 AAS conference in Seattle. Most of the teachers and students were independent projects and found their own way here.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/john-grunsfeld-on-sofia.jpgJohn Grunsfeld on SOFIAJohn Grunsfeld and Kathleen Fredette on SOFIA in February 2015.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/john_grunsfeld.jpgJohn_GrunsfeldAstronaut John Grunsfeld, now Science Mission Director for NASA.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/john-grunsfeld-as-astronaut.jpgJohn Grunsfeld as astronautJohn Grunsfeld on a spacewalk to service the Hubble Space Telescope.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/space-policy-lecture.jpgSpace policy lectureSpace Policy lecture by Dr. Jon Logsdon at the 2015 AAS conference in Seattle.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/tabby-star-light-curves.pngTabby Star light curvesLight curves from the Kepler Mission for KIC 8462852. Instead of nicely predictable periodic dips, this one has huge, irregular, asymmetrical dips in the light curve.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/aas-2015-posters-2.jpgAAS 2015 posters 2Posters and exhibits in the main hall of the Seattle convention center for the AAS 2015 conference.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/aas-2015-monday-posters-1.jpgAAS 2015 Monday posters 1Posters at the Seattle AAS conference in Jan. 2015.2016-02-22T02:48:38+00:00monthlyhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/2016/01/24/astronomy-in-seattle-2015-aas-conference-day-1/https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/seattle-map-s.jpgSeattle map-sA map I created of the area around the Washington Convention Center, where the AAS conference was being held.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/kendall-julie-rosie-elena-at-aas-recept.jpgKendall Julie Rosie Elena at AAS receptKendall, Julie, Rosie, and Elena at the American Astronomical Society conference in Seattle; Jan. 4, 2015.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/ccd-k-22.pngCCD K-22Color-color diagram (CCD) for our K-giant stars, comparing 2MASS K - WISE 22 versus K. Diagram by John Gibb.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/eric-hintz-at-reception.jpgEric Hintz at receptionDr. Eric Hintz of Brigham Young University at the graduate program reception at the AAS conference in Seattle; Jan. 4, 2015.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/crepe-place.jpgCrepe placeJulie and Rosie in front of the Saley (savory) crepe shop on Olive St. in Seattle; Jan. 4, 2015.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/lobby-of-the-grand-hyatt.jpgLobby of the Grand HyattLobby of the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Seattle, WA.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/seattle-from-hotel.jpgSeattle from hotelPart of downtown Seattle as seen from the Grand Hyatt Hotel; Jan. 4, 2015.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/rosie-on-the-seatac-light-rail.jpgRosie on the SeaTac light railRosie on the light rail from SeaTac Airport to downtown Seattle; Jan. 4, 2015.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/science-poster-draft.pngScience poster draftA draft of our science poster for AAS, nearing completion.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/elena-with-concept-web.jpgElena with concept webElena working on her concept web during Fall 2014. 2016-01-25T02:37:48+00:00monthlyhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/2016/01/18/making-spectral-energy-distributions/https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/brown-dwarf-sed.pngBrown Dwarf SEDAn SED for a brown dwarf. Notice that the overall flux density values are very low, and that they are still going up beyond the 2MASS JHK data points at the right. Although we do not have WISE data here, the fluxes probably peak in the infrared. This star gives off very little visible light.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/wise-data-ky-cygni.pngWISE data -KY CygniWISE data for KY Cygni, a red supergiant, in the IRSA database at Caltech. The magnitudes for the WISE 1-4 images are listed in the green line below. You can see that the detector is saturated in the WISE 3 image.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/mag-to-flux-converter-s.jpgMag to Flux Converter-sMagnitude to Flux converter at the Spitzer Science Center website.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/red-supergian-sed-f.pngRed Supergian SED -fSED for a red supergiant, KY Cygni. The wavelengths of the Wien curve peak in the K band (deep red) and show a large infrared excess in the WISE bands. This chart was made using the "by hand" conversion method in an Excel spreadsheet.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/beta-cvn-sed-f.jpgBeta CVn SED-fFinal SED of Beta CVn (Chara) using VezieR data, converted into flux densities by wavelength. It peaks between the V and R filters as expected.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/beta-cvn-spreadsheet.pngBeta CVn spreadsheetMy spreadsheet for Beta CVn. The flux densities were read from the individual data points in VezieR for this chart. The VezieR chart did not include WISE data.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/beta-cvn-vizier-chart.pngBeta CVn VizieR chartSED for Beta CVn (Chara), a G0 star, from VezieR. It shows a nice Wien Curve peaking between the Johnson V and R wavelengths. A G star is slightly more yellowish compared with the F5 star above.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/vezier-sed-of-ross-128.jpgVezieR SED of Ross 128SED for Ross 128 automatically generated by VizieR. You can roll over the data points to get values, including the flux densities in ergs per second per square centimeter at each wavelength in microns. Here it is showing the IRAS 60 micron data.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/simbad-data-on-ross-128.jpgSIMBAD data on Ross 128SIMBAD data on Ross 128, a nearby red dwarf star. It includes alternate names, coordinates, proper motion, radial velocity, parallax angle, spectral type, and fluxes (actually magnitudes) at various narrowband wavelengths.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/david-maxwell-hd-27524.jpgDavid Maxwell-HD 27524A spectral energy distribution (SED) for HD 27524, an F5 dwarf star. The chart shows the flux densities of the star, measured in ergs per second per square centimeter at each wavelength in microns. F class stars are considered yellowish-white, and you can see that the flux peaks around the Johnson V (visible) wavelength, as expected. The final scales are logarithmic because the values are exponential, so a log scale makes the values easier to compare.2018-07-09T09:49:11+00:00monthlyhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/2016/01/04/the-distance-modulus-method/https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/blossoms-lesson-plan.pngBLOSSOMS lesson planWebsite for our MIT BLOSSOMS video lesson plan on using the parallax method to find the distances to nearby stars.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/modulus-page-2-s.jpgModulus page 2-sModulus lesson plan Page 3https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/mag-lum-function-s.jpgMag--Lum function-sThe Magnitude - Luminosity Function. Since luminosity varies with the inverse of the distance squared, it is an exponential curve. In this case, if you know the ratio of luminosity between two stars, you can use the curve to determine the differences in magnitudes. The modulus formula uses logarithms to do the same calculations.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/modulus-page-1-s.jpgModulus page 1-sModulus Method Lesson Page 1https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/greek_astronomers.jpgGreek_AstronomersGreek astronomers, as painted by Raphael in The School of Athens. Hipparchus is holding the celestial sphere.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/william_herschel.jpg98,Sir William Herschel,by Lemuel Francis AbbottSir William Herschel, who discovered that five differences in magnitude are about 100 times difference in brightness.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/hipparchus.jpghipparchusHipparchus, who created the first accurate star catalog about 130 B.C. He provided magnitude numbers from 1 for the brightest stars to 6 for the dimmest that could be seen with the unaided eye.2016-02-04T17:22:45+00:00monthlyhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/2016/01/02/turning-infrared-images-into-representative-color-photos/https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/all-channels-in-negative.pngAll channels in-negativeAll three of the wavelengths are now combined as separate channels. However, since astronomical images are usually inverted (space is white and stars are black), we have to invert the image here.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/all-channels-postive.pngAll channels postiveAll the channels combined and the colors inverted so space is black. This is an image for one of our HG-WELS stars, where the IRAS data had source confusion (a grouping of stars "spoofed" the IRAS sensors). The actual target K-giant star is the one to the left of the red finder circle.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/m16eagle-dave-m-enhanced-s.jpgm16eagle-Dave M-enhanced-sAnother view of the Eagle Nebula, M16, in representative infrared colors, this time with a larger view area. This was done by Dave M.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/pasting-in-green-channel-s.jpgPasting in Green channel-sThe channels palette in Adobe Photoshop. By selecting and copying a narrowband image (say WISE 3 at 12 microns) and pasting it into only one channel (here the green one), three separate narrowband wavelengths can be built into one representative color RGB image.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/horsey-true-color.jpgHorsey true colorThe Horsehead Nebula in true color. The dark nebula hides a hot, young protostar that shows up nicely in the WISE image above.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/horsey-rgb-s.jpgHorsey RGB-sThe Horsehead Nebula in infrared wavelengths. Notice the bright red star at the top of the horse's head, which is invisible in the true color image below.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/horsey-wise-and-iras.pngHorsey WISE and IRASThe results for the Horsehead Nebula (IC ---) in the IRSA finder chart search. This shows that WISE 1-4 wavelengths as well as the IRAS wavelengths (12, 25, 60, and 100 microns). The WISE mission had much greater resolution.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/irsa-search-entry.pngIRSA search entryThe Finder Chart search engine. Type in the name of the object (it may need to be a technical name, such as Messier 31, instead of the colloquial name) or you can type in the coordinates for the area you wish to view. You can specify which catalogs, such as WISE and 2MASS, and how large of an area of sky, down to 300 arcseconds.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/irsa-website.pngIRSA websiteThe main webpage for the NASA/IPAC Infrared Science Archive (IRSA). To download WISE or other data, click on the Finder Chart button.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/helix-nebula-wyatt-sharp-s.jpgHelix Nebula-Wyatt-sharp-sThe Helix Nebula, a representative infrared image by Wyatt B. Notice the long infrared (22 micron) afterglow in the center of this planetary nebula and the shorter wavelength (3.4 and 12 micron) shock wave around it.2016-01-02T22:01:37+00:00monthlyhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/2015/12/29/byu-ret-final-weeks/https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/byu-reu-students.jpgBYU REU studentsSome of the REU students at BYU during the summer of 2014. Olivia Mulherrin is the lady smiling on the right side. This was the banquet on the last day of our program.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/v831-cas-10-year-variability.pngV831 Cas-10 year variabilityWhen I expand the AAVSO search to the last ten years, a more regular pattern emerges showing that V831 Cas has a period of about 143 days. However, my own calculations showing a 97.5 day variation might indicate there are patterns on top of patterns, which can occur in such a dynamic binary star system. Keep in mind that the black hole or neutron star and the visible Be star are orbiting each other in elliptical orbits while material is being pulled off the B star into an accretion disk around the black hole. The accretion disk itself has a period as do the co-orbiting stars.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/aavso-chart-of-v831-cas.jpgAAVSO chart of V831 CasLight curve generated automatically from the American Association of Variable Star Observers' website. This showed available data for the last year and indicates a period of about 105 days (ignoring the missing data on the right). https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/v831-variable-curve-estimated.jpgV831 variable curve-estimatedMy own attempt to fit the data to a curve. This has a more regular amplitude but the period calculated (84.5 days) appears too short compared with the AAVSO data.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/v831-variability-excel-computed.jpgV831 variability-Excel computedLight curve for V*V831 Cas, To fit the data, Excel had to use a fifth order polynomial with a large difference in amplitudes. The average period is about 97.5 days.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/sed-for-v831-cas.jpgSED for V831 CasSpectral Energy Distribution (SED) for V*V831 Cas. The peak is somewhere in the yellow-orange part of the spectrum (V stands for "Visible" or green, not violet). The hump in the WISE data probably indicates a ring or disk or dust surrounding this HMXB star. I don't know what's going on with the W4 reading - I might have a bad calculation or other anomaly there.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/byu-grad-luncheon.jpgBYU grad luncheonGraduation luncheon at the Eyring Science Center at Brigham Young University in August, 2014 for the College of Physical Sciences.2015-12-29T18:57:59+00:00monthlyhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/2015/12/22/nitarp-days-5-6-what-weve-learned/https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/randys-donuts.jpgRandys DonutsRandy's Donuts near the LAX airport. They're very tasty!https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/me-on-santa-monica-pier.jpgMe on Santa Monica pierDavid Black on Santa Monica Pier looking back at the beach; August 2, 2014.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/santa-monica-beach-from-pier.jpgSanta Monica beach from pierSanta Monica beach as seen from the pier. The usual summer haze fades away the Malibu Hills.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/santa-monica-pier-colors.jpgSanta Monica pier colorsRides and colors on Santa Monica Pier.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/pier-and-beach-at-santa-monica.jpgPier and beach at Santa MonicaSanta Monica Pier and beach on August 2, 2014.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/summer-concept-web-3.jpgSummer Concept Web 3Another concept web done by students during our workshop at Caltech. Notice the link from "blackbody" to my name. That's what I get for telling bad jokes.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/summer-concept-web-2.jpgSummer Concept Web 2A concept web developed by students on our last day at Caltech for NITARP.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/post-office-at-caltech.jpgPost Office at CaltechA post office at Caltech. Notice the commemorative stamps honoring some of the Nobel Prize winning scientists that have taught here. I have interviews a man (Reed Nixon) who went to school here when Robert Milliken was President and took chemistry from Linus Pauling. The Von Karman Auditorium and Museum at JPL is named after Theodore von Karman.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/sundial-plaque.jpgSundial plaqueHow to use the sundial at Caltech.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/sundial-at-caltech.jpgSundial at CaltechA sundial at Caltech campus.2015-12-22T19:16:29+00:00monthlyhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/2015/12/21/nitarp-day-4-digging-into-data/https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/nitarp-7-real-science.jpgNITARP 7-real scienceSome of my notes during the Caltech visit. Our goal: to create a poster for the AAS conference. But as these notes say, even negative results are useful for science. We found only five stars from this initial pass at the data that matches our criteria, probably not enough to draw conclusions from. But with further data and more detailed analysis, perhaps a paper in a refereed journal may be possible.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/nitarp-10-cmds.jpgNITARP 10-CMDsNotes on how to interpret color-magnitude diagrams (CMDs) for our data. The WISE mission chose four wavelengths (3.4, 4.6, 12, and 22 microns) to study for very specific reasons. These wavelengths are able to detect dust, gas, near-Earth asteroids, galaxies, brown dwarfs, and other objects that give off specific infrared signatures. Our CMDs are meant to isolate the K-giant stars we are studying from other types of objects such as galaxies and brown dwarfs while showing which stars have real infrared excesses.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/nitarp-9-flux-densities.jpgNITARP 9-flux densitiesA page from my astronomy notebook written at Caltech. It describes how to convert magnitude data for stars into flux densities in photons per centimeter squared per second for various wavelengths.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/total-excel-star-sheet.pngTotal Excel star sheetThe whole shebang! This is part of our final Excel spreadsheet with all the calculations that convert the magnitude measures into flux densities, then calculates various Color-Color differences for making CCDs and CMDs. The final two columns (pink and green) calculate the significance of the differences using a Chi test for signal over noise. Those between 2.5 and 7 chi values from the mean are in our target range. The question marks are for those with too large of a chi value.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/ccd-with-marked-stars.pngCCD with marked starsColor-color diagram (CCD) with all the sources in our list. Normal stars are grouped at the zero-zero area of the diagram. The ones marked with red Xs are too far out to be stars at all. The non-X dots are objects of interest to us. They are stars with infrared excesses that may have consumed their own planets.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/cmds-with-iffy-stars.pngCMDs with iffy starsColor-Magnitude Diagrams comparing 3.4-22 microns and K-22 microns. The grouping of stars along the zero point is what one would expect for normal stars without infrared excesses. All the star to the right show high IR excesses. The ones circles are non stars, iffy, or just plain weird when looking at their SEDs. The ones to the upper left are based on data that has upper limits but no definite values. Our objects of interest are the uncircled dots and X's to the right of the main group. These have IR excesses that fall between 2.5 and 7 chi values away.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/rosie-and-elena-work-on-seds.pngRosie and Elena work on SEDsRosie and Elena working on SEDs at Caltech for our HG-WELS study.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/elena-and-kendal-with-luisa.pngElena and Kendal with LuisaElena and Kendall with Dr. Luisa Rebull at Caltech, calculating flux densities for K-giant stars in our study using WISE and 2MASS data.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/colorado-blvd.jpgColorado BlvdHG-WELS teachers in Old Town Pasadena on Colorado Boulevard.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/hg-wels-caltech-s.jpgHG-WELS Caltech-sThe entire HG-WELS (Hungry Giants-WISE Excess Lithium Study) group at Caltech: July, 2014.2015-12-21T17:42:30+00:00monthlyhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/2015/10/15/nitarp-day-2-return-to-jpl-wiens-law-and-griffith-observatory/https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/source-confusion-with-orange.jpgSource confusion with orangeAn example of source confusion. The target coordinates are the small yellow circle in the WISE data, but there is no star there. Because of the nearby closely-packed stars, the IRAS probe was unable to resolve the K-giant correctly.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/bowfinger.jpgBowfingerMovie poster for Bowfinger. Parts of the movie were filmed at Griffith Observatory. "Gotcha, Suckahs!"https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/jupiter-and-saturn-at-griffith-obs.jpgJupiter and Saturn at Griffith ObsModels of Jupiter and Saturn in the new underground annex at Griffith Observatory.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/brass-telescope-at-griffith-obs.jpgBrass telescope at Griffith ObsBrass telescope inside the main hallway at Griffith Observatory.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/inside-dome-at-griffith-obs.jpgInside dome at Griffith ObsView inside the dome at Griffith Observatory.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/griffith-dome-and-la-lights.jpgGriffith DomeThe Dome of Griffith Observatory with the lights of Los Angeles in the background.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/griffith-obs-at-twilight.jpgGriffith at twilightGriffith Observatory at twilight, overlooking downtown Los Angeles.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/griffith-obs-with-flowers.jpgGriffith with flowersWe parked some distance from Griffith Observatory and walked to it. Here is a view with flowers.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/griffith-obs-roadmap.jpgGriffith Obs roadmapRoad map to Griffith Observatory.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/not-a-star-sed.jpgGraphics produced by IDLThis SED, on the other hand, is obviously not a K-giant star using the newer WISE and 2MASS data.2015-10-16T01:20:15+00:00monthlyhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/2015/06/29/nitarp-workshop-at-caltech-days-1-2/https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/spitzer-model.jpgSpitzer modelA model of the Spitzer Space Telescope.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/students-in-old-town.jpgStudents in Old TownNITARP students exploring Old Town Pasadena.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/john-elin-stef.jpgJohn Elin StefJohn Gibbs, Elin Deeb, and Estefania Larson, the other teachers participating in Dr. Rebull's NITARP group during 2014.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/caltech-campus-2.jpgCaltech campus 2Another view of Caltech campus.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/caltech-campus.jpgCaltech campusCaltech campushttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/john-and-students.jpgJohn and studentsJohn Gibbs talking with NITARP students.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/introduction-to-wise.jpgIntroduction to WISEDr. Rebull introduces the WISE mission and our project: HG-WELS.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/luisa-taking-tour.jpgLuisa taking tourDr. Luisa Rebull taking the NITARP group on a tour of the Spitzer Science Center.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/spitzer-sign.jpgSpitzer signOur workshop was located on Caltech campus in the Keith Spalding Building and the Spitzer Science Center.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/walden-students-on-airplane.jpgWalden students on airplaneWalden School of Liberal Arts students participating in NITARP. From back: Rosie Buhrley, Elena Mitchell, Kendall Jacoby2015-06-29T23:53:52+00:00monthlyhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/2014/08/14/a-showing-of-stars-byu-ret-weeks-6-7/2014-08-14T21:36:57+00:00monthlyhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/2014/08/10/analyzing-open-clusters-byu-ret-weeks-5-7/https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/combined-n-w-charts-labels-f.jpgCombined N-W charts-labels-fThe same chart with regions labeled. Four open clusters are compared by H-alpha index and absolute magnitude. NGC 663 stars are magenta, NGC 659 stars are blue, NGC 752 stars are green, and M67 stars are red. Be stars are in the upper left, the main sequence is the orange curve peaking at A0 stars, the cool star red giant branch is the yellow area, the hot star red giant branch is the magenta area, blue stragglers are light blue, and field stars are light green.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/combined-n-w-charts-no-labels-f.jpgCombined N-W charts-no labels-fThe data for all four star clusters superimposed in Photoshop and calibrated for distance and H-alpha index.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/interim-report-first-slide.jpgInterim report first slideThe title slide of my interim report. I will post the final report later on.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/m67-n-w-with-ms-curve-f.jpgM67-N-W with MS curve-fH-alpha index vs. magnitude with a predicted cuve for main sequence stars, peaking at 2.9 with A0 stars.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/m67-raw-data-chart.jpgM67 raw data chartRaw data chart for M67 showing H-alpha index (N-W bands) vs. H-alhpa magnitudes. Notice the excellent turnoff point at about G0, with a red giant branch heading left, then up.2014-08-10T23:43:59+00:00monthlyhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/2014/07/28/getting-results-byu-ret-week-4/https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/m67-with-var-stars-real-and-poss-flat.jpgM67 with var stars-real and poss-flatI mapped the locations of the stars from the previous chart that had high errors and compared them to known variable stars in M67. There was no correspondence. I probably only discovered some bad pixels in the CCD sensor.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/magnitude-vs-error-combined-001-3.jpgMagnitude vs error combined-001-3M67 Magnitudes vs. Error for three fields using a narrow-band H-alpha filter. Low magnitude stars (brighter) are saturated. High magnitude stars are too dim for accurate measurement. Middle magnitude stars with high errors could be something else entirely . . .https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/filling-the-gaps.pngFilling the gapsSome stars are too faint to process, so gaps are left in the number sequence. To accurately compare the same stars across filters, the star number must be lined up and the gaps filled with blank rows.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/raw-data-in-excel.pngRaw data in ExcelWhat the raw data looks like once it is in Excel. I had to delete the right two columns, then sort the data by Star Number and delete the interlaced rows.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/setting-column-breaks.pngSetting column breaksThe second step to get .txt files into Excel is to set the column breaks with tab markers.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/starting-on-row-45.pngStarting on row 45To get a .txt file into Excel, you must tell it which row the data starts on, in this case Row 45.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/raw-txt-file-header.pngRaw txt file-headerThe Header of the original .als file, which has 45 rows before the actual data starts.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/m67-001na-enhanced.pngM67-001NA enhancedM67 through a narrow-band hydrogen-alpha filter from my .fits files2014-07-28T15:25:44+00:00monthlyhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/2014/07/22/counting-stars-byu-ret-week-3/https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/allstar.pngAllstarThe final data table of star numbers, positions (x and y), corrected magnitudes, and errors in the ALLSTAR function. This saves a .als file that can be imported into a spreadsheet.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/pst-select.pngPST selectThe PSTselect function, which selects a sampling of 25 stars to determine the point spread function.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/coords-for-752.pngCoords for 752Coordinate file created by the DAOfind command. This one is for NGC752, which is older and sparser than NGC663 or 659.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/epar-datapars.pngEpar dataparsSetting the parameters for the Datapars function using the EPAR command.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/saturated-data.pngSaturated dataLight curve for a saturated star - the top of the curve is a plateau. The High Good Datum is just below the plateau.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/good-datum-2.pngGood Datum 2Finding the High Good Datum and the Point Spread Function Radius in DAOphot.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/imexam-in-663.pngImexam in 663Using the IMEXAM command to determine parameters such as FWHM in NGC663.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/iraf-levels.pngIRAF levelsMoving through the levels of IRAF - first NOAO, then Digiphot, then DAOphot.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/coords-for-663.pngCoords for 663Coordinates file for NGC 663 in IRAF and DS9.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/dave-ds9-with-iraf1.pngDave DS9 with IRAFCoordinate file in IRAF and loaded into DS92014-07-22T23:32:01+00:00monthlyhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/2014/07/18/mastering-the-dark-arts-byu-ret-week-2/https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/before-and-after-reduction.pngBefore and After reductionThe same field of stars in DS9 before and after data reduction. With the noise and biases removed, the field has the same background darkness throughout and the data is much cleaner.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/flat-frame.pngFlat frameThe Flat Frame: Taken of a neutral gray background or at the zenith at twilight, it represents the sensitivity bias of the CCD sensors. Notice it is less sensitive (darker) around the edges and corners.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/dark-frame.pngDark FrameThe Master Dark frame. This represents the electronic noise of the CCD system. Or a great character in Dungeons and Dragons . . .https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/zero-frame.pngZero FrameA Zero Frame (frame taken at zero time) in DS9. It represents the electrons still trapped in the CCD.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/bonner-catalog.jpgBonner catalogThe actual Bonn Star Catalog (Bonner Durchmusterung).https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/argelander.jpgArgelanderFriedrich Wilhelm August Argelander, whose meticulous research led to the Bonner Durchmusterung, the standard catalog of northern stars for many years.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/dave-ds9-with-iraf.pngDave DS9 with IRAFIRAF and DS9 showing a Coordinate file for NGC663.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/uintah-and-ouray-reservation.jpgUintah and Ouray ReservationThe Uintah and Ouray Reservation. The outlined area is the original boundary of the reservation. The dark red areas are the sections actually controlled by the Ute Tribal government. Fort Duchesne is the government center for the reservation.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/ute_warrior.jpgUte_warriorA Ute warrior on horseback.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/ngc663hunterwilson.jpgNGC663HunterWilsonNGC663 (Photographed by Hunter Wilson). This is one of my targets for analysis.2014-07-18T23:19:22+00:00monthlyhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/2014/07/08/prospectus-byu-ret-week-1/https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/notes-in-journal.jpgNotes in journalNotes in my science journal.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/department-stained-glass.jpgDepartment stained glassStained glass window for the College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences at BYU. I am officially an Adjunct Research Faculty member for the summer.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/nearest-clusters-s.jpgNearest clusters-sNearest Star Clusters and Nebulas. M103 in the upper right is near NGC 663 and 659 and about 8000 light years away.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/variabletypes.jpgvariabletypesCategories of Variable Stars. Extrinsic variables change brightness because of something outside the star blocking light, such as an eclipse or dust. Intrinsic variables change brightness because of changes in the interior of the star.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/hr-diagram-for-open-clusters.jpgHR diagram for open clustersA Color-Magnitude Diagram showing the evolutionary tracks for several open clusters. The "Hertzsprung Gap" is also called the Instability Strip - this is where variable stars are found crossing back and forth across the gap as they pulsate.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/m55-cmd.jpgM55 CMDColor-Magnitude Diagram for M55. Once the stars have left the main sequence, they move up and to the right (cooler and brighter) to become red giants. After the helium flash, they migrate across the Asymptotic Giant Branch (AGB) and Horizontal Branch to become blue and hot, then eject their outer layers (if they are the size of our sun) and drop down to become white dwarfs.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/ngc663-with-stars-labeled.jpgngc663 with stars labeledNGC 663 with prominent stars labeled. The only HMXB I have found from my research so far is V 831 in the upper left.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/m67-hr-diagram.gifM67 HR diagramA Color (B-V) -Magnitude Diagram showing M67 and NGC 188. Both show a turnoff point and strong red giant branch. The stars to the upper left are blue stragglers.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/targets-in-cassiopeia-s.jpgTargets in Cassiopeia-sTarget open clusters in Cassiopeia. They are left of Ruchbah and northwest of 44 Cas. All three are part of the same Cassiopeia Stream of gas and dust about 8000 light years away in the Perseus spiral arm.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/be-spectrum.jpgBe spectrumThe spectrum of a B-e star at the H-alpha wavelength (6562.8 angstroms or 656.28 nm). The broad absorption band is bisected by a narrow emission band at the same wavelength. The star's atmosphere absorbs the H-alpha light, but the hydrogen gas in the star's ring is emitting H-alpha light.2014-07-08T22:01:05+00:00monthlyhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/2014/06/24/an-article-for-the-science-teacher/https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/suns-closest-neighbors.pngSuns closest neighborsDistances of the Sun's closest neighbors. The next star out (at least for now) is Wolf 359.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/comparing-sizes-of-brown-dwarfs.pngComparing sizes of Brown DwarfsA comparison of different sizes and colors of stars. The large yellow disk at the left is our sun. The next star is an M5-6 red dwarf. The next is an L-class brown dwarf. The next is a T-class brown dwarf, which is actually more magenta in color. The far right object is Jupiter. Notice Jupiter is actually a bit larger than the red or brown dwarfs, but it is much less dense. The T-class brown dwarf is at least 13 times the mass of Jupiter, and has just enough mass and density to ignite deuterium fusion in its core. But what of the objects between Jupiter and L-class stars? Are they really stars if no fusion occurs?https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/luhman-16b-surface-map.jpgLuhman 16b surface mapA surface map of the brown dwarf star Luhman 16B, created by Doppler imaging.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/tst-article-star-list.jpgTST article star listA list of the nearest star systems. Since I published this, a new star system 7.2 light years away has been discovered.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/tst-video-o-star.jpgTST video O starThere's actually a rather clever pun here . . . In college, I sang this poem as a song in BYU's Oratorio Choir. The middle photo on this inserted page is of M16, the Eagle Nebula. I took this photo myself using the 24 inch reflector at Mt. Wilson Observatory as part of the TIE (Telescopes in Education) program.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/tst-video-with-sextant.jpgTST video with sextantA still frame from the video I made explaining the 3D star model activity. I'm demonstrating how to make and hang the stars.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/tst-article-pp-36-37-s.jpgTST article Pp 36-37-sP{ages 36-37 of my article for The Science Teacher in the Summer, 2014 edition.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/tst-article-pp-34-35-s.jpgTST article Pp 34-35-sPages 34-35 of my article for The Science Teacher.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/tst-article-pp-32-33-s.jpgTST article pp 32-33-sPages 32-33 of my article. I created all the graphics and captions as well as writing the article.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/tst-article-title-page-s.jpgTST article title page-sTitle page for my article in The Science Teacher magazine, Summer, 2014.2014-06-25T15:25:59+00:00monthlyhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/2014/06/24/recent-developments-spring-2014/https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/irsa-finder-chart-s.jpgIRSA finder chart-sThe return window in IRSA Finder Chart. It is displaying the same coordinates (which are typed in) for DSS, 2MASS, and WISE. In this case the IR source is a planetary nebula surrounding the target star.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/merged-list-of-stars-s.jpgMerged List of Stars-sSample of the merged list of stars - yellow areas are stars I'm assigned to analyze for our final decision (all of us did all the stars for the first run through). Pink areas are the average and standard deviation of ratings.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/source-confusion-3.pngSource confusion 322 micron filter image of the same target. It has been inverted to better see the stars.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/source-confusion-rgb-s.jpgSource confusion RGB-sAn RGB combined image of one of our possible targets for NITARP. This image takes the 4.6 micron filter as blue, the 12 micron filter as green, and the 22 micron filter as red.2014-06-24T17:03:59+00:00monthlyhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/2014/03/29/the-state-of-the-universe/https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/meg-urry-talking-with-hs-teachers.jpgMeg Urry talking with HS teachersDr. Meg Urry, President Elect for AAS, speaking with Wendi Lawrence and high school students at the State of the Universe briefing, Jan. 9, 2014.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/peggy-at-podium.jpgPeggy at podiumPeggy Piper speaking at the State of the Universe briefing, Jan. 9, 2014.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/peggy-piper-at-desk.jpgPeggy Piper at deskPeggy Piper before the briefinghttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/blake-and-ari.jpgBlake and AriBlake Bullock and Ari Buchalter at the State of the Universe briefinghttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/ari-buckalter-and-david-helfand.gifAri Buckalter and David HelfandAri Buchalter and Dr. David Helfand at Columbia Collegehttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/david-helfand-with-earthrise.jpgDavid Helfand with EarthriseDr. David Helfand, showing the famous Apollo 8 photo of Earthrise over the Moon. This photo changed our whole viewpoint of Earth.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/david-black-with-capitol.jpgDavid Black with CapitolDavid Black with the U. S. Capitol Building, Jan. 9, 2014.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/high-school-students-getting-badges.jpgHigh School students getting badgeshttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/before-briefing.jpgBefore briefingBefore the Briefinghttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/committee-sign.jpgCommittee signRoom 2325, where the State of the Universe Briefing was held2014-03-30T23:12:12+00:00monthlyhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/2014/01/17/at-the-american-astronomical-society-conference-day-2-tuesday-jan-7-2014/https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/learning-styles-poster-nitarp-s.jpgLearning styles poster-NITARP-sNITARP Education Poster at AAShttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/david-black-with-eddie-zavala.jpgDavid Black with Eddie ZavalaEddie Zavala, SOFIA Program Manager, and David Black, SOFIA Airborne Astronomy Ambassadorhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/extend-invitation-nitarp-poster-s.jpgExtend Invitation NITARP poster-sEducational poster on Extending the Invitation to participate in authentic science through NITARP.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/nitarp-common-core-align-s.jpgNITARP Common Core align-sEducational poster on aligning NITARP with the Common Core standardshttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/nitarp-impact-poster-s.jpgNITARP impact poster-sEducational poster on the impact of NITARPhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/explaining-poster.jpgExplaining posterConner Laurence and another student explain their poster on finding YSOs in BRC 38.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/luisa-poster.jpgLuisa posterDr. Luisa Rebull and her posterhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/ligo-booth.jpgLIGO boothLaser Interferometry Gravity Observatory boothhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/nitarp-student-poster.jpgNITARP student posterNITARP student posterhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/astrophysics-town-hall.jpgAstrophysics town hallTitle slide from Dr. Paul Hert's presentation for the Astrophysics Town Hall2014-01-26T05:01:32+00:00monthlyhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/2014/01/25/aas-day-3/https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/count-yorga-vampire.jpgCOUNT-YORGA-VAMPIRECount Yorga: Vampire. It's amazing what you can find online . . .https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/john-gagosian-1.jpgJohn Gagosian 1SOFIA group with John Gagosian, director of NASA's Origins program.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/sofia-group-cycles-0-2.jpgSOFIA group-Cycles 0-2SOFIA group. Cycles 0-2.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/alien-reproduction-poster-s.jpgAlien reproduction poster-sSorry, Mr. Spockhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/stein-sigurdson-and-poster.jpgStein Sigurdson and posterPoster on Searching for Galactic Civilizations, with Steinn Sigurdsson.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/ryan-lay-poster-s.jpgRyan Lay poster-sPoster by Ryan Lau on Luminous Blue Variable Stars near the galactic center.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/posters-2.jpgPosters 2More posters at the AAS2014-01-26T04:33:56+00:00monthlyhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/2014/01/07/at-the-aas-conference-day-1/https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/playground-duty.jpgPlayground dutyScience reaches pop culturehttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/cardboard-tyson.jpgCardboard TysonNow this is going a bit too far . . .https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/with-big-bang-cast.jpgWith Big Bang casthttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/superman.jpgSupermanSuperman visits the Hayden Planetariumhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/neil-degrasse-tyson-s.jpgNeil deGrasse Tyson-sNeil deGrasse Tyson at the AAS meetinghttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/twitterverse-slide.jpgTwitterverse slideTitle slide for Neil deGrasse Tyson's talkhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/what-worked.jpgWhat workedList of what worked and what didn't.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/group-discussion.jpgGroup discussionGroup discussion at the NITARP debriefing meeting.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/ntarp-group-2.jpgNTARP group 2Teachers and students from the NITARP program at the 2014 AAS conference.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/nitarp-large-group.jpgNITARP large groupLarge group preparing for photos at NITARP debrief2014-01-08T06:07:29+00:00monthlyhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/2014/01/06/the-nitarp-workshop/https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/paul-hertz.jpgPaul HertzDr. Paul Hertz, Director of the Astrophysics Division of NASAhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/planet_killer.jpgplanet_killerAnd while we're on the subject of planet eaters . . .https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/star-eating-a-planet.jpgstar eating a planetA giant star eating a planet as it expands. We will be looking for infrared signatures indicating a ring debris such as shown here.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/brc-in-lmc.jpgBRC in LMCBright Rimmed Clouds in the Large Magellanic Cloud. Stellar wind pressure is clearing out a bubble of space inside a nebula, except for the finger-like projections where matter is too dense. In those areas, it is collecting into accretion disks around young stellar objects.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/brc-38.pngBRC 38Bright Rimmed Clouds in IC1398. The region expanded is called BRC 38. One of the teams discovered several YSOs in the area.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/rebull-team-s.jpgRebull team-sMy team for the NITARP programhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/group-shot-both-teams-s.jpgGroup shot-both teams-sNITARP 2014 Teamshttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/national-harbor.jpgNational HarborView of National Harbor, Maryland from the Gaylord National Resort.2014-01-07T19:54:27+00:00monthlyhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/2014/01/04/you-know-youre-at-the-wrong-conference-when/https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/the-southern-cross.jpgThe southern crossWhen you see the Southern Cross for the first time . . .https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/gravity-gun.jpgGravity gunThe Gravity Gun, a revolution in quantum physics. Or something . . .https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/blue-goat.jpgBlue GoatA blue goat . . . so maybe I'm at the wrong conference?https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/who-ya-gonna-call.jpgWho ya gonna call?Who ya gonna call?https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/the-dungeon.jpgThe DungeonYes, exhibit halls sometimes do feel like dungeons . . .https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/casual-dress.jpgCasual dressStandard dress for the AAS conferencehttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/a-firefly.jpgA FireflyA Firefly at the conference. Now all I need are some Browncoats . . .https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/gaylord-atrium.jpgGaylord atriumThe atrium of the Gaylord National Resorthttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/lobby-of-gaylord-national.jpgLobby of Gaylord NationalThe lobby of the Gaylord National Resort at National Harbor, Maryland. Site for the 2014 AAS Conference.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/icy-plane-at-slc-airport.jpgIcy plane at SLC airportOur icy plane at Salt Lake International Airport2014-01-05T06:06:54+00:00monthlyhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/2013/08/12/my-flight-on-sofia-part-2/https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/sofia-engine-at-sunrise-s.jpgSOFIA engine at sunrise-sSunrise back at Palmdale, CA and the Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/sofia-at-sunrise-s.jpgSOFIA at sunrise-sSOFIA at sunrise after a night's observations.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/dawn-through-windows-s.jpgDawn through windows-sDawn through SOFIA's windows as we head back to Palmdale.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/preparing-to-land-s.jpgPreparing to land-sClosing the telescope door and preparing to land.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/marissa-leg-2-s.jpgMarissa leg 2-sDiscussing the data.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/marissa-looking-over-sci-station-s.jpgMarissa looking over sci station-sMarissa looking over the science station monitors as her data comes in.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/looking-at-marissas-data-s.jpgLooking at Marissa's data-sLooking at Marissa's datahttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/beta-peg-callibration-leg-s.jpgBeta Peg callibration leg-sSouthward leg, observing Beta Pegasi (Sheat) to calibrate a grism detector.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/ngc7538_holrgb_m.jpgNGC7538_HOLRGB_mNGC 7538, in the constellation Cepheus.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/preparing-for-marisas-run-s.jpgPreparing for Marisa's run-sPreparing for Marissa's Observations2013-08-13T17:14:12+00:00monthlyhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/2013/07/25/flying-on-sofia-part-1-briefing-take-off-and-eastward-leg/https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/karina-and-randy-s.jpgKarina and Randy-sKarina Leppik, Science Flight Planner, and Randy Grashuis, Mission Director.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/jim-and-joe-leg-1-s.jpgJim and Joe leg 1-sJim De Buizer and Joe Adams, staff scientists on SOFIA.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/carolyn-at-aaa-console-2-s.jpgCarolyn at AAA console 2-sCarolyn Bushman at the AAA station.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/matt-and-dan-at-laptops-s.jpgMatt and Dan at laptops-sMatt Oates and Dan Ruby at the AAA station.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/forcast-and-counterweight-s.jpgFORCAST and counterweight-sFORCAST and counterweight.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/alpha-boo-leg-status-s.jpgAlpha Boo leg status-sStatus monitor for the Alpha Bootes (Arcturus) calibration leg.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/matt-and-guy-norris-2-s.jpgMatt and Guy Norris 2-sMatt Oates and Guy Norris, a correspondent for Aviation Week, on SOFIA.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/dana-carolyn-la-times-2-s.jpgDana, Carolyn, LA Times 2-sDana Backman, Amana Kahn, and Carolyn Bushman on SOFIA.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/star-interns-at-aaa-console-2-s.jpgSTAR interns at AAA console 2-sSTAR interns Rebecca Salvemini and Carey Baxter at the AAA station.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/aaa-station-s.jpgAAA station-sThe Airborne Astronomy Ambassador station aboard SOFIA, with Dana Backman, Matt Oates, and Dan Ruby.2021-04-16T03:33:07+00:00monthlyhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/2013/06/28/meeting-sofia/https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/img_1775.jpgIMG_1775The FORCAST instrument mounted to the telescope flange on SOFIA.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/isolation-system.jpgIsolation systemVibration isolation system for the telescope assembly inside SOFIAhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/sofia-in-hangar-s.jpgSOFIA in hangar-sSOFIA in the main hangar at DAOF.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/four-in-front-of-sofia-s.jpgFour in front of SOFIA-sAirborne Astronomy Ambassadors for the week of June 24-28, 2013. Left to right: Carolyn Bushman, Matt Oates, Dan Ruby, and David Black.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/sofia-first-look.jpgSOFIA first lookOur first look at SOFIAhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/daof-hangars.jpgDAOF hangarsThe Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility (DAOF) main hangarshttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/flight-jackets.jpgFlight jacketsArriving at the Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility, or DAOF, in our flight jackets.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/grand-canyon-west.jpgGrand Canyon westWestern end of the Grand Canyonhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/zions-coral-pink-from-air.jpgZions-Coral Pink-from airZion Canyon and Coral Pink Sand Duneshttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/southwest-terminal.jpgSouthwest terminalDawn at the Southwest Airlines terminal, waiting to fix the problems . . . and waiting . . . and waiting.2013-06-29T03:14:11+00:00monthlyhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/2013/06/23/astrobiology-at-the-great-salt-lake/https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/participants.jpgParticipantsWorkshop particpantshttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/aterra4-activity.jpgAterra4 activityDesigning organisms for exoplanetshttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/stripes-and-spiral.jpgStripes and spiralStripes and Spiral. The pink color comes from the carotenoid pigments in the archaea in the lake, the white stripes from salt blown by the wind.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/sergei_winogradsky.jpgSergei_WinogradskySergei Winogradskyhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/bubblin-crude.jpgBubblin' crude"When up from the ground came a bubblin' crude. Oil, that is. Black gold. Texas tea . . . "https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/basalt-bones.jpgBasalt bonesBasalt bones and oolitic sand at the shoreline of Great Salt Lakehttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/mirage.jpgMirageA Mirage at the Edge of Salt and Skyhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/spiral-jetty.jpgSpiral jettyThe Spiral Jetty, built by Robert Smithson in 1970.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/wind-ridges.jpgWind ridgesRidges of salt on the lakebedhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/refuge.jpgRefugeBear RIver Migratory Bird Refuge2013-06-24T05:19:39+00:00monthlyhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/2013/06/20/224/https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/central-black-hole.jpgCentral black holeTHe central black hole in our galaxy with the circumnuclear ring, as imaged by FORCAST aboard SOFIAhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/telescope-2.jpgtelescope 2Telescope, pressure bulkhead, and counterweight system on SOFIAhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/sofia-top.jpgSOFIA topSOFIA model rendered from abovehttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/sofia-name.jpgSOFIA nameTexture mapping on the SOFIA modelhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/sofia-under.jpgSOFIA underSOFIA from underneathhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/sofia-telescope-cavity.jpgSOFIA telescope cavityTelescope cavity on SOFIAhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/sofia-w-scope-2.jpgSOFIA w scope 2SOFIA with telescopehttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/dan-ruby.jpgDan RubyDan Ruby, from Reno, NVhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/matt-oates.jpgMatt OatesMatt Oates, from Sparks, NV.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/sofia-anim-1.jpgSOFIA anim 1A render of our SOFIA model2013-06-20T06:39:44+00:00monthlyhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/2013/06/17/aerospace-education-at-the-nsta-conference/https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/river-near-memphis1.jpgRiver near MemphisNear Memphishttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/i2i-group.jpgI2I groupInspire to Inquiry (I2I) group.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/downtown-san-antonio.jpgDowntown San AntonioDowntown San Antonio as seen from the Drury Plaza Hotel.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/joe-acaba.jpgJoe AcabaJoe Acaba, teacher and astronaut.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/sofia-dinner-2.jpgSOFIA dinner 2SOFIA Airborne Astronomy Ambassadors. Jim Johnson (red shirt), Jo Dodds (white), and Cris DeWolfe (light blue).https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/riverwalk.jpgRiverwalkThe Riverwalk in downtown San Antonio.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/sofia-model-and-ir-hand.jpgSOFIA model and IR handSOFIA model and IR camera image of my hand.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/me-in-sofia-booth.jpgMe in SOFIA boothDavid Black in the SOFIA booth at NSTA.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/robert-wilson-statue.jpgRobert Wilson statueStatue of Robert Wilson, a co-discoverer of the cosmic microwave background radiation (leftover photons from the Big Bang).https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/ed-white-statue.jpgEd White statueStatue of Ed White, Apollo astronaut and first American to conduct a space walk2013-06-17T20:07:37+00:00monthlyhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/2013/05/05/the-nearby-stars/https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/walden-students-and-star-model.jpgWalden Students and Star ModelStudents in my astronomy class with out completed star model.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/nearstar_table_p2.jpgNearstar_Table_p2Table of the Nearby Stars to 5 light years, Part 2.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/nearstar_table_p1.jpgNearstar_Table_p1A table of the nearby stars, part 1https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/sextant_diagram.jpgSextant_DiagramDiagram of the sextant used to verify the stars' position.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/hanging_stars.jpgHanging_StarsInstructions for hanging the stars and designing the platform.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/building_stars.jpgBuilding_StarsHow to build the stars for the model.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/3d-star-model.jpg3D Star ModelThe Completed 3D Star Model from below. Sirius is the large blue star; Aipha Centauri is the trinary system.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/stars-within-20-ly.gifStars within 20 LYA 2D diagram of the stars within 20 light years.2014-06-07T06:45:59+00:00monthlyhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/2012/12/07/the-parallax-method/https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/distance-ladder-s.jpgdistance ladder-sAnother version of the Distance Ladder.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/distance-ladder-2-s.jpgDistance ladder 2-sThe Distance Ladder: Overlapping techniques for finding the distances to objects in space.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/walden-timp-illustration-j-s.jpgWalden-Timp illustration-J-sTo practice using the tangent function, we calculated the height of Mt. Timpanogas from Walden School using our quadrant to find the angle.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/parallaxdiagram-11-s.jpgParallaxDiagram-11-sParallax Diagram. As the Earth orbits the Sun, nearby stars seem to wiggle back and forth compared to the background stars.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/quadrants-on-wood-floor-2-s.jpgQuadrants on wood floor-2-sA simple quadrant, needed to measure the distances to the planets and to measure the parallax angle.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/astro-class-activity-1-s.jpgAstro class activity 1-sMy astronomy class doing the parallax activity.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/showing-jr-high-pana-cam-f.jpgShowing jr high Pana cam-fShowing my junior high students how to use the Panasonic camera to film the parallax activity.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/balcony-camera-s.jpgBalcony camera-sFilming the parallax activity from the school balcony.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/activity-from-hill-2-s.jpgActivity from hill 2-sParallax Activity as seen from the hill behind Walden School.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/parallax-diagram-total-g-s.jpgParallax diagram total-G-sParallax Activity Diagram, with an example of calculations for Planet 1 to Star A.2013-02-08T16:47:56+00:00monthlyhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/2012/12/03/why-spend-money-on-nasa/https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/apollo-14-s.jpgApollo 14-sApollo 14 Command Module. A sophisticated guidance computer had to fit inside this small space along with three astronauts.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/ultra-deep-field-s.jpgHubble Ultra Deep FieldHubble Ultra Deep Field image. Everything in this photo without rays is a galaxy, each with 100 billion stars or more.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/earthrise-f.jpgEarthriseEarth rising over the Moon as seen from Apollo 8.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/goes-weather-sat-s.jpgGOES weather sat-sGOES-R weather satellite.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/plankton-bloom-cape-cod-s.jpgplankton bloom-cape cod-sPhytoplankton bloom off Cape Cod, MA as seen from space.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/deforestation-s.jpgDeforestation-sDeforestation of the Brazilian rain forest as seen from space.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/1997_el_nino_topex-s.jpg1997_El_Nino_TOPEX-sThe 1997 El Niño as seen from the TOPEX-Poseidon space probe.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/rebel-see-through-digram-s.jpgRebel see through digram-sDigital cameras, such as this Canon Rebel, use CMOS or CCD sensors developed originally for space probes.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/cellphone1-s.jpgcellphone1-sCell phones use repeater towers for local calls but use communications satellites to relay calls around the world.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/gps_diagram-f.jpgGPS_Diagram-fDiagram of how Global Positioning System works. Without the GPS satellite network, we could not find our position as accurately.2012-12-17T22:46:41+00:00monthlyhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/2012/10/23/ancient-celtic-holidays/https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/punxsutawney_phil-s.jpgpunxsutawney_phil-sA statue of Punxsutawney Phil greets visitors to Phil's actual home in the Groundhog Zoo inside the library at Punxsutawney, PA. I took this photo on my tour through the area in Sept., 2009.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/samhain_by_alien_dreams-s.jpgsamhain_by_alien_dreams-sA design representing the Festival of Samhain, by Alien Dreams.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/st-johns-wort.jpgst-johns-wortSt. John's Wort, which is associated with the Festival of St. John (or midsummer) and was considered to be most potent if gathered on Midsummer's Eve.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/halloween-s.jpgHalloweenThe Jack-O-Lantern, a symbol of ancient Samhain.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/holly.jpgHollyHolly was revered by Celtic people because it remained green during winter.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/stonehenge-s.jpgStonehenge-sStonehenge, a megalithic site from Pre-Celtic England.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/first-harvest-s.jpgfirst harvest-sThe First Harvest, celebrated as Lammas or Lughnasadh (Lugh's Assembly) on August 1.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/bread-s.jpgbread-sLammas bread for the Festival of First Fruits.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/bryn-mawr-college-maypoles-f.jpgBryn Mawr College maypoles-fBraiding the Maypole on May Day (May 1, or Beltaine) at Bryn Mawr College.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/bill-murray-stepped-here-f.jpgBill-Murray-Stepped-Here-fThis is the spot where Bill Murray's character kept stepping into the puddle of icy slush in "Groundhog Day." 2012-10-23T22:53:54+00:00monthlyhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/2012/08/24/the-end-of-the-world-fact-or-fiction/https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/collision-s.jpgCollision-sCould Earth be destroyed by a cosmic collision?https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/la-sinks-into-ocean.jpgLA sinks into oceanSay Goodbye to Hollywood!https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/run-away.jpgRun away"Run away! Run away!"https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/saturn-and-mars-alignment-s.jpgSaturn and Mars alignment-sAn alignment of Saturn, Mars, and the Moon in Virgo on August 21, 2012. This must mean bad luck for all Virgos!https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/mayan-conversion.jpgMayan conversionConverting numbers between Mayan and Arabic numerals.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/mayan-numbers-0-19.jpgMayan numbers 0-19Mayan numerals 0-19.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/tulum-with-month-wheel.jpgTulum with Month WheelThe Temple of the Sun at Tulum, Mexico with a Uinal (month) Wheel.2012-08-24T19:45:13+00:00monthlyhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/2012/08/06/riding-curiosity-down-to-mars/https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/pickens_bomb_rider1.jpgPickens_Bomb_Rider"Yeehaw! Yeee-eeee Haaa-aaaw!" https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/pickens_bomb_rider.jpgPickens_Bomb_RiderSlim Pickens rides the bomb down in Dr. Strangelove. We rode down to Mars with Curiosity.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/my-notebook-s1.jpgMy notebook-sMy notes during the landing of Curiosity on the surface of Mars.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/first-thumbnail-s.jpgFirst thumbnail-sThe first thumbnail photo sent by Curiosity from the surface of Mars.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/blue-shirts-celebrate.jpgBlue shirts celebrateDr. Charles Elachi, Pete Theisinger, and other "Blue Shirts" celebrate the landing.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/rob-manning-celebrates-s.jpgRob Manning celebrates-sRob Manning (in background) and other members of JPL's blue shirt team celebrate the landing.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/the-moment-of-landing-s.jpgThe moment of landing-sThe moment of landing, at JPL and at Pasadena City College.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/seven-minutes-begins-s.jpgSeven minutes begins-sThe Seven Minutes of Terror begin: MSL enters Mars' atmosphere, as seen in this simulation.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/my-notebook-s.jpgMy notebook-sPages from my notebook as I tried to write down the landing events. It gets a big shaky as the landing approaches . . .https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/pasadena-auditorium.jpgPasadena auditoriumAuditorium at Pasadena City College, site of the family and JPL employee landing event.2012-11-27T17:49:01+00:00monthlyhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/2012/08/06/at-the-jet-propulsion-laboratory/https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/rover-wheel.jpgRover wheelPosing with a spare rover wheel. The black treads (which spell out "JPL" in Morse code) are made of a single blank of aluminum, and the flexures are made of titanium.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/leland-and-i.jpgLeland and IPosing with Leland Melvin, NASA Assistant Administrator for Education.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/curiosity-mockup-and-i.jpgCuriosity mockup and IPosing with the Curiosity mock-up on the plaza at JPL.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/black-room.jpgBlack roomBlack roomhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/wheel-clearance-test.jpgWheel clearance testWheel clearance testhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/test-bed-in-isil.jpgTest bed in ISILThe Mars Science Laboratory (Curiosity) test version in the In-Situ Instruments Lab. It is identical to the one going to Mars except it doesn't have the RTG plutonium oxide power source.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/isil.jpgISILThe In-Situ Instruments Lab at JPLhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/rob-manning.jpgRob ManningRob Manning, Chief Engineer for Mars Science Laboratory (Curiosity)https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/dave-seidel.jpgDave SeidelDave Seidel, Deputy Education Administrator for JPLhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/teacher-group.jpgTeacher groupTeachers at the Curiosity Landing Educator Conference2012-08-06T15:56:08+00:00monthlyhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/2012/07/30/mojave-field-research-lessons-learned/https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/across-the-mojave.jpgAcross the MojaveAcross the Mojave Deserthttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/me-at-hole-in-wall.jpgMe at Hole in WallDavid Black at Hole in the Wallhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/kelso-depot.jpgKelso DepotKelso Depot on the Union Pacific Railroad, Salt Lake to Los Angeles line.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/gathering-ir-data.jpgGathering IR dataGathering the IR data for soil crust siteshttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/desert-equinox.jpgDesert equinoxVernal Equinox in the Mojave Deserthttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/mojave-vista.jpgMojave vistaDriving across the Mojave Desert on Hwy 127https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/stromatolite.jpgStromatoliteStromatolite fossil near Tecopa, CA.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/stromatolite-area-s.jpgStromatolite area-sLocation of stromatolites near Tecopa, Californiahttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/hole-in-the-wall.jpgHole in the WallHole in the Wall, Mojave National Preservehttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/shredded-tire-s.jpgShredded tire-sShredded tire on Black Canyon Road2025-02-26T18:03:38+00:00monthlyhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/2012/03/21/to-the-end-of-the-earth-march-18-2012/https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/desert_station-s.jpgDesert_Station-sCSU Desert Research Station on Zzyzx Roadhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mojave_oasis-s.jpgMojave_oasis-sOasis in the Mojave: CSU Desert Research Stationhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mojave_sunset-s.jpgMojave_sunset-sThe Mojave Desert on Zzyzx Roadhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mojave_preserve_sign-s.jpgMojave_Preserve_sign-sEntrance to the Mojave National Preserve on Zzzyzx Road.https://spacedoutclassroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/zzyzx_sign-s.jpgZzyzx_Sign-sExit to Zzyzx Road2012-03-21T06:26:48+00:00monthlyhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/2012/01/26/the-sofia-airborne-astronomy-ambassadors-program/2012-01-27T04:12:48+00:00monthlyhttps://spacedoutclassroom.com/2012/01/17/welcome/2012-01-23T08:08:35+00:00monthlyhttps://spacedoutclassroom.comdaily1.02025-03-05T23:31:38+00:00