The Future of Space Flight

With the Space Shuttle now in retirement, America no longer has any vehicles capable of traveling into space. However, several new companies and NASA are designing the next generation of rockets and space ships.

Space Travel Of The Future: 7 Vehicles That May One Day Take You To Space

This article breaks from normal layout. Instead, each section provides a big image or video of the space craft along with a short reading about the vehicle. Several of these designs are already functional prototypes (a working first model). One of the things I find most interesting about these vehicles is that many of the companies are designing their ships to allow normal, everyday people to travel to space and back. There may soon be a time when people take 'space flights' just as easily as normal airline travel.

Check out the different vehicles and come to class ready to share which one you found the most interesting and exciting. I've already picked mine!

Stenovec, T. (2011). Space travel of the future: 7 vehicles that may one day take you to space. Huffington Post, Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/29/space-travel-of-the-future_n_1119201.html

Earth-like Exoplanet

Scientists have recently discovered an 'Earth-like' planet within the habitable zone of a star. The new planet is a close galactic neighbor, at only 20 light years away (that's still 11,700,000,000,000,00  miles away!). The scientists believe that this new planet likely has liquid water, which is very exciting since we believe liquid water to be the key to life on other planets!

As you watch the video, answer the questions below. Be prepared to discuss your answers in class.

1. How much bigger is the 'radius' of this new planet than Earth?
2. Where was the observatory that discovered the planet located?
3. How can the new planet have water on it's surface if it's so much closer to it's star than Earth is to the Sun?
4. The astronomers can't actually see the planet. How do they know that it even exists? What do they look for?

Astronomers find first earth-like planet in habitable zone [Web]. (2007). Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5w7NUsBcgyw

Moon Landing

Team Moon: How 400,000 People Landed Apollo 11 on the Moon

"That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind"

 

 We often think of the moon landing as just one man's achievement. Team Moon takes a different look at the history of the moon landing and explores the 400,000 other people involved in the Apollo 11 mission and tells their story.

According to the reviews on Amazon, the book delves into the lives of the engineers and scientists who helped build the rocket and managed the mission and even into the life of the seamstress who sewed the astronauts spacesuits! Reviewers especially liked that the book tells the story of the moon landing from the perspective of the people on Earth and not from the astronauts.

 

Like many Amazon books, you can take a sneak peek into the book itself. While many of the pictures are black and white (because they didn't have color photos at that time), I still found them engaging and interesting, especially since they tended to be group shots of the Apollo 11 teams.

Thimmesh, C. (2006). Team moon: How 400,000 people landed apollo 11 on the moon. (1 ed.). Houghton Mifflin Company. Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/Team-Moon-People-Landed-Apollo/dp/0618507574/ref=sr_1_28?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1350753429&sr=1-28

Exoplanets

Exoplanets

neoK12 is a website designed for kids. The site finds interesting videos, pictures and games for kids about different topics, even exoplanets. For exoplanets, the site only offers videos but each video is an excellent resource. The clips aren't too long, most are under 5 minutes long. Over the weekend, I want you to watch 3 of the videos. Pick one of the videos and write short answers to the following questions.

1. Which of the three videos was your favorite? Why?
2. What was one amazing fact that you learned and are excited to share with the class?

Exoplanets. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.neok12.com/Exoplanets.htm

National Geographic Space Book

13 Planets: The Latest View of the Solar System

13 Planets?! I thought there were only 8... or was it 9? It seems that the number of planets in our Solar System keeps on changing. 13 Planets takes a look at what we know about our solar system, and the celestial bodies within it. Planets used to be anything big enough we could see with telescopes. However, our definition of a planet has become more refined. A sad causality of our new definition is that Pluto is no longer a planet. But with the loss of Pluto, we've gained 4 new dwarf planets, which are celestial bodies with enough gravity to be spheres but not large enough to clear their orbits of debris.

According to the reviews on Amazon, this book is filled with excellent information, colorful photos and up to date information. If you head to Amazon, you can even take a sneak peek into the book! From the preview, the book seems easy to read and filled with interesting tidbits about each planet, without being overwhelming or boring.

References:

13 planets: The latest view of the solar system. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/13-Planets-Latest-National-Geographic/dp/1426307705/ref=sr_1_2?

Aguilar, D. (2011). 13 planets: The latest view of the solar system. National Geographic Children's Books.

Space Website

Space Station Kids

Space Station Kids is a site that focuses on life in outer space and what it's like to live aboard the International Space Station. The Space Station operates with cooperation from 15 different countries around the world and acts as a giant science laboratory in space!

(n.d.). International space station. [Web Photo]. Retrieved from http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/37/STS-135_final_flyaround_of_ISS_1.jpg/400px-STS-135_final_flyaround_of_ISS_1.jpg

One section of the website focuses on the space station itself. On the site you'll see how big the station is, how it gets its power and how it was built, plus lots more. I especially love the sections with interactive models and videos.

Another section of the site focuses on questions regarding what it's like in outer space. The webpage answers questions about weightlessness, vacuum and radiation all through really cool interactive content.

The final section answers all our favorite astronaut questions. What do they eat in space? Do they need to exercise in space? What do they do if they're sick in space? I was blown away by many of the answers!

Space station kids. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://iss.jaxa.jp/kids/en/life/index.html

Diamond Planet

Super-Sized Planet Likely Made of Diamonds

The search for Exoplanets often has scientists focused on finding worlds that look very similar to our own. However, in their search, NASA scientists have recently uncovered a world that they believe is mostly made out of graphite and diamonds! The world is mostly composed of carbon (unlike Earth) and both graphite and diamonds are created from only carbon atoms.

This new planet, called 55 Cancri, is several times larger than the Earth and far more dense. Interestingly, 55 Cancri orbits a star very similar to our Sun. Perhaps most interesting is the idea that because the planet is made of diamonds, that 55 Cancri could have very different types of earthquakes and volcanoes than see here on Earth.

Assignment:
Imagine that you are a space explorer and you land on 55 Cancri. Describe what you see and experience on this new and exciting Diamond world!

Moskowitz, C. (2012, October 12). Super-earth planet likely made of diamond. Retrieved from http://www.space.com/18011-super-earth-planet-diamond-world.html

The Birth of Stars

We don't often think about our Sun as having been born. However, all stars (our Sun included) were born from large clouds of hydrogen gas. This video, dives into how all stars are formed and provides an incredible visual of what it would take to form a star here on Earth.

Stephen hawking - the birth of stars [Theater]. Available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EnBBIx6XkM&feature=related

As you're watching the video, answer the questions below.

1. What temperature must a star reach for 'nuclear fusion' to occur?

2. What happens in 'nuclear fusion'?

3. If we could create a star the size of a soccer ball, what would happen?

Book Review

How Do You Go To the Bathroom in Space?

How DO you go the bathroom in Space? We've all asked that question as we think about the lives of astronauts. How Do you Go to the Bathroom in Space?, by William Pogue, explores that very question, and many more. Perhaps the best part of this book is the way it was written. Instead of telling a story, William Progue has arranged his entire book as a set of questions and answers. Since there's no beginning or ending, readers can flip through and read just the sections that interest them. The book also focuses on the day to day life of an astronaut, instead of focusing on the mission that Mr. Progue was on. I highly recommend the book to any student who has wondered about spending time in space!

You can find the book on Amazon (here) or check your local library for a copy.

Pogue, W. (2011). How do you go to the bathroom in space?. Tor Books.

Exoplanets

Exoplanet's: Worlds Beyond Our Solar System

Exoplanets are planets that lie outside of our solar system and revolve around a different star (Gammon). There have been many exoplanets discovered over the years but it seems that we're just entering the Golden Age of discovering exoplanets. Every month, more and more exoplanets are being discovered. The hope is, and has always been, that scientists will discover an exoplanet similar or identical to Earth, with the hope that there may be life on such a planet.

This article goes through the history of the hunt for exoplanets and describes what kinds of tools astronomers have used to discover them. Additionally, the article discusses new exoplanet findings with exciting results! Apparently, many planets have already been found within the 'habitable zone' (the area around a star where liquid water can exist). While none of the planets discovered so far have been Earth-like, there are still 54 more planets to take a closer look at (Gammon).

View the article here.

Reference
Gammon, K. (n.d.). Exoplanets: Worlds beyond our solar system. Retrieved from http://www.space.com/17738-exoplanets.html

Jupiter

As we learn about the 8 planets of the solar system, it's fun to pause and focus on what makes each planet so different and interesting. Jupiter, the largest planet in our the solar system, is a fascinating planet. Watch the video and then answer the questions below.

Jupiter: the largest [Web]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s56pxa9lpvo&feature=relmfu

How many Earths could fit inside of Jupiter?

The Earth rotates around its axis every 24 hours. How fast does Jupiter rotate around it's axis?

How fast are the winds on the surface of Jupiter?

How long have astronomers been able to see the 'Red Eye'?

How many moons does Jupiter have?

Why is it important that Jupiter is the Solar System's 'vacuum cleaner'?

Page Turner

Occasionally, in this digital world we live in, it's nice to be able to open a book, feel the weight of a paper, stare deeply at a glossy photo and lose yourself in a book. I've selected a book that I feel captures the wonder of space and also captivates the reader.

(n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.alexandrasiy.com/images/Cars_cover-330.jpg

Cars on Mars: Roving the Red Planet

Before Curiosity landed on Mars, two of its smaller cousins had already been busy at work for years. Cars on Mars follows the history and mission of Spirit and Opportunity, twin robots that were sent to explore Mars. In the book you'll discover how scientists discovered that there was once water on Mars and how they managed to keep the robots running for years past their life expectancy.

Author Alexandra Sly explains the amazing findings that the two rovers have sent back to Earth and how through luck, and skill, they've survived dust, storms and Martian winters. The book also features large, labeled illustrations that identify the tools and gear on the robots, as well as photos and artist's conceptions of the Martian landscape.

This book is interesting, beautiful to look at and kid-friendly. If you love space, exploration or have been captivated by the adventures of Curiosity, pick up this book and travel along on the amazing journey of Spirt and Opportunity.

Check out the book at your local library or you can find it online here.

Sly, A. (2011). Cars on mars: Roving the red planet. Charlesbridge Publishing.

Size of Stars

Ever wonder how big stars are? Check out the video below, which compares 'big' objects like our moon to the largest known stars in the universe. The video starts with the moon and gradually moves through larger and larger celestial objects. You'll be amazed when the video gets to the Sun, but you'll be even more blown away when the video continues further!

Star size comparison hd [Web]. (2009). Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEheh1BH34Q&feature=player_embedded

You'll be writing a brief response to the video. What amazed you? How did this video change your thinking about the size of celestial objects? How does it make you feel that there are such enormous objects out in space, compared to the size of Earth?

Curiosity News

Remember back to the beginning of the year. We learned that the Mars rover Curiosity had just landed on Mars and that it's mission was to travel around the martian surface testing rocks. Well, Curiosity just moved one step further in it's mission.

After making it's longest trip ever, Curiosity reached out with it's robotic arm and 'touched' a Martian rock. We'll be using this article in class to continue our 'Robot Research.'

Read the rest of the article on this amazing robot here or use the link below...

http://www.space.com/17744-mars-rover-curiosity-touches-rock-jake.html

Space Websites

To help you in our exploration of Space, I've found some safe, kid-friendly sites for you to explore. Some contain helpful information, other's have interesting facts and some are just for fun!

NASA Kids' Club 
This site is a collection of games to help test your Space knowledge.


Astronomy for Kids
Have you wondered how big the Universe is? Or maybe you're interested in the future of space exploration? Head over to this site to get those answers! The site is filled with in-depth, interesting information plus loads of fun space-themed games. I especially like the 'Solar System' section. When you first click the link, you'll be able to see our solar system and watch each of the planets revolve around the Sun at their different speeds. Go ever further by clicking on a planet to learn more about it!


Space for Kids
If you're like Mr. Carroll, you love to learn lots of new facts. If that's the case try this site, which has dozens of Space topics. Each topic has loads of cool facts. For example: "The Sun’s core is around 13,600,000 degrees Celsius!" These fun facts can make for an excellent resource when we write short paragraphs about the different celestial bodies.

Hello World

Hello 6th Graders!

This blog will help provide research material as we delve into the study of Space. I'll be posting articles, videos and websites that will help expand our knowledge or are just plain amazing.