August 2008 Education Update

NASA Earth and Space Science Education E-News

August 2008

http://nasascience.nasa.gov/educators/earth-and-space-science-education-e-news

This monthly broadcast includes upcoming educational programs, events, opportunities and the latest resources from NASA's Science Mission Directorate.

To SUBSCRIBE – email esenewsletter@strategies.org with “Subscribe” as the subject. To UNSUBSCRIBE - email esenewsletter@strategies.org “Unsubscribe” as the subject.

Questions or comments? Email them to esenewsletter@strategies.org.

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UPCOMING PROGRAMS & EVENTS

(1) Live China Eclipse Webcast – Aug. 1

(2) Search for Meteorites in Antarctica: Webinar with Dr. Lucy McFadden – Aug. 8

(3) MS PHD’S Program for Undergraduate and Graduate Minority Students (Applications Due Sept. 1)

(4) Be a NASA Cloud Observer

(5) Online Earth System Science Course for Middle School Teachers – In-State Scholarships Available (Texas)

(6) NCAR Climate Discovery Online Course for K-12 Educators – Now Accepting Registrations (Early bird registration: Sept. 1)

(7) GLOBE Learning Expedition - Reports, Blogs and Student Speeches Available Online

(8) CESE Meeting: Public Literacy in Earth System Science (Sept. 11-13)

(9) Request for Information: American Student Moon Orbiter Project (Due: Sept. 30)

(10) International Year of Astronomy – Start Getting Ready for 2009

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FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

(11) NASA Lunar Science Institute - Cooperative Agreement Notice (Proposals Due Aug. 29)

(12) NASA Global Climate Change Education (Proposals Due Oct. 24)

(13) K-12 Competitive Education Grant Program (Preliminary Proposals Due Aug. 22)

(14) Competitive Program for Science Museums and Planetariums (Proposals Due Oct. 17)

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EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES

(15) Space Science is for Everyone: Creating and Using Accessible Resources in Educational Settings

(16) Free Podcasts of Nontechnical Astronomy Talks

(17) New NASA ‘Fire & Smoke’ Web Page Shows Latest Fire Views, Research

(18) Landsat Data in New UNEP Atlas of Africa’s Environmental Change

(19) Calculator-Controlled Robots: Hands-on Mathematics and Science Discovery Educator Guide, Grades 6-9

(20) Using Radiosonde Data from a Weather Balloon Launch

(21) NASA Earth Observatory Feature Articles

  • American Carbon
  • The Ocean’s Carbon Balance
  • Siberia 2008: Kotuykan River Expedition

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SCIENCE NEWS

(22) At the Edge of the Pinwheel Galaxy

(23) NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander Working With Sticky Soil

(24) Plasma Bullets Spark Northern Lights

(25) NASA’S Ames and JPL Win NASA Software of Year Award

(26) NASA Works to Improve Short-term Weather Forecasts

(27) NASA Names New Goddard Space Flight Center Director

(28) NASA Spacecraft Shows Diverse, Wet Environments on Ancient Mars

(29) NASA Responds to California Wildfire Emergency Imaging Request

(30) What’s Wrong with the Sun?

(31) A Telescope Made of Moondust

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CALENDAR

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

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UPCOMING PROGRAMS/EVENTS [Top]

(1) LIVE CHINA ECLIPSE WEBCAST – AUG. 1

On August 1, 2008, a total solar eclipse begins at 6:09 p.m. China time near the windswept high grasslands northeast of the small hamlet of Yiwu, about two hours north of Hami in the Xinjiang province of China. As in the total solar eclipses of 1999, 2001, and 2006, a team of Exploratorium and NASA heliophysics experts will capture and broadcast the Eclipse live at http://www.exploratorium.edu/eclipse.

Additionally, go to http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/29jul_solareclipse.htm?list1022025 to read an article about the partial eclipse of the sun, which will be visible to even more people on Aug. 1.

In addition, there is an Eclipse page full of make-and-take activities for public outreach, articles, story telling and activities for educators: http://sunearthday.nasa.gov/

For more information and to check local times for the eclipse, visit: http://sunearthday.gsfc.nasa.gov/2008eclipse/.

The Exploratorium has launched their eclipse Website: http://www.exploratorium.edu/eclipse/2008/index.html

The NASA Public Affairs Office page for eclipse is at http://www.nasa.gov/eclipse.

(2) SEARCH FOR METEORITES IN ANTARCTICA: WEBINAR WITH LUCY MCFADDEN

Friday, Aug. 8, 2008

9-10 a.m. EDT (10-11 a.m. CDT; 11 - noon MDT; noon - 1 p.m. PDT)

Join Dr. Lucy Mcfadden for this free, one-hour webinar. Dr. McFadden is a Research Professor from the University of Maryland and field team member of the National Science Foundation's Antarctic Meteorite Search Program 2007-2008.

Since 1976, the U.S. National Science Foundation has supported an annual search for meteorites during the Antarctic summer, which occurs late November - January. Dr. McFadden was invited to be part of the 2007 expedition to the Miller Range of Antarctica. The team of eight scientists spent 42 days searching for meteorites on foot and by snowmobile, and lived in tents set up on the ice. In this interactive webinar, McFadden recounts the excitement of her scientific expedition and how it has propelled her enthusiasm to explore the small bodies in the solar system through NASA missions: NEAR, Deep Impact, Dawn, and EPOXI. To learn more about this memorable trip, go to http://dawn.jpl.nasa.gov/feature_stories/antarctica.asp. For more information about the webinar, go to http://dawn.jpl.nasa.gov/science/webcast.asp.

To register for the webinar, go to https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/452977352. You will be asked to register and will also be given the option of saving the event in your Outlook calendar.

(3) ONLINE EARTH SYSTEM SCIENCE COURSE – IN-STATE SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE (TEXAS)

SCED 507 is an Earth system science course that will be offered this fall through Texas A&M University – Texarkana, which is designed for middle school teachers. Students develop Earth system analyses in relation to specific environmental events; create collaborative, inquiry-based classroom applications; and use technology as a learning and teaching tool for grades 5-8 students. This course is built around the study of environmental events such as Brazilian deforestation, the Mt. Pinatubo eruption, the Larsen Ice Shelf disintegration, and Hurricane Katrina. Students will also learn to use Internet resources and to interact with others in a virtual community of teachers and learners to focus on content, pedagogy and technology integration.

In-state scholarships (Texas) are available for Fall 2008. Please contact David Allard, David.Allard@tamut.edu, for more information.

This course is part of the Earth System Science Education Alliance (ESSEA), which is funded by NASA and the National Science Foundation and implemented by the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies. For more information about ESSEA, visit: http://esseacourses.strategies.org.

(4) BE A NASA CLOUD OBSERVER

NASA’s Student Cloud Observations On-Line (S’COOL) project welcomes observations from any interested observers, especially from places where official weather observations are rare. Visit the website for more information on how to make or report observations, and explore the database of reported observations: http://asd-www.larc.nasa.gov/SCOOL/Rover/.

(5) MS PHD’S PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

Deadline: Sept. 1, 2008

NSF and NASA have provided funds to continue support of the Minorities Striving and Pursuing Higher Degrees of Success in Earth System Science (MS PHD’S) Professional Development Program. The program provides professional development experiences that facilitate the advancement of minorities committed to achieving Earth system science careers. The program includes mentoring and networking activities for minority undergraduate and graduate Earth system science and engineering majors; and provides a supportive environment in which participants develop strategies and professional skills necessary to excel in Earth system science and engineering fields. Mentor surveys and participant applications for the MS PHD’S 2008 cohort are available online at: http://www.msphds.org.

(6) NCAR CLIMATE DISCOVERY ONLINE COURSE FOR EDUCATORS – FALL SESSION ACCEPTING REGISTRATIONS

Early Bird Registration: Sept. 1

Are you seeking a K-12 professional development opportunity that will enhance your qualifications, competency, and self-confidence in integrating Earth system science, climate, and global change into your science classroom? This fall, the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) is offering a series of seven-week online courses for middle and high school teachers that combine geosciences content, information about current climate research, easy to implement hands-on activities, and group discussion. The courses run concurrently, beginning September 19th and running through November 7th. There is a $250 fee per course; register by Sept. 1 for a $50 discount ($200/course).

For complete course schedule and registration information, visit: http://ecourses.ncar.ucar.edu.

(7) 2008 GLOBE LEARNING EXPEDITION – REPORTS, BLOGS AND STUDENT SPEECHES AVAILABLE ONLINE

The annual GLOBE Learning Expedition (GLE) took place in Cape Town, South Africa, June 22-27. GLOBE Director, Ed Geary, reported the event was a resounding success with 511 participants who hailed from 52 of GLOBE’s 110 partner countries and included middle and high-school age students, teachers, scientists, partners and country coordinators. Participants came together to examine the theme “GLOBE Research for Sustainable Communities.” Event organizers included members of the GLOBE Africa Consortium executive committee and staff from the GLOBE Program Office in Boulder, Colorado, who joined efforts to ensure that the event provided opportunities to further GLOBE collaboration worldwide.

Visit the GLE Website to access photos, reports and student blogs from Cape Town (http://www.globe.gov/fsl/html/templ.cgi?gle08_index〈=en). The winners of an international student competition were selected to be keynote speakers at the GLE; six regional finalists also presented during breakout sessions. You can find these students’ speeches on the GLE Website as video or audio files.

(8) CESE MEETING: PUBLIC LITERACY IN EARTH SYSTEM SCIENCE

Sept. 11 – 13, 2008; Ithaca, New York

Registration Deadline: Aug. 10, 2008

The Coalition for Earth System Education (CESE) will hold its annual meeting Sept. 11-13 at the Paleontological Research Institution, Cornell University.

Over the past several years, literacy principles have been developed for the ocean sciences, climate, atmospheric sciences, and terrestrial/hydrospheric Earth sciences. Together these principles represent what all citizens should know about Earth systems and are relevant to both formal and informal education.

The meeting will start with a review of the recently released and pending literacy principles. Participants will choose breakout groups to discuss implementing the literacy principles in selected educational contexts, and then create action items on how best to implement these principles in their respective educational outlets.

Questions? Please contact Carlyn Buckler at csb36@cornell.edu. For information on registering, go to: http://www.regonline.com/Checkin.asp?EventId=626418.

(9) REQUEST FOR INFORMATION: AMERICAN STUDENT MOON ORBITER PROJECT

Deadline: Sept. 30, 2008

The American Student Moon Orbiter Project is a nationwide NASA educational initiative through which American university students and their faculty advisors will design, build, register, launch, operate and own a small spacecraft and its lunar science payloads. NASA’s Office of Education is seeking input from college, university and potential industry officials and decision-makers with experience in university-level, student-led flight projects focusing on spaceflight satellite and/or payload development, payload integration, spacecraft and/or payload launch, mission operations or scientific data analysis. Information of interest includes experience and opinions applicable to the feasibility of the effort, including budget and financial expectations, realism of launch expectations, and the educational and scientific merit. For more information, visit: http://asmo.arc.nasa.gov/.

(10) INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF ASTRONOMY – START GETTING READY FOR 2009

Get ready for IYA 2009 by checking out multimedia resources that feature NASA's space science research. Bookmark the NASA IYA 2009 portal at http://astronomy2009.nasa.gov to discover a growing collection of resources, including:

  • Sky-Spy-Safari: An interactive planisphere that explores celestial objects, and how NASA telescopes work.
  • Ask an Astrophysicist specializing in cosmic-ray, gamma-ray, and X-ray astrophysics, and other satellite based astronomical observations.
  • Science @ NASA Feature Stories Podcast Helping the public understand how exciting NASA research is and to help NASA scientists fulfill their outreach responsibilities.

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FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES [Top]

(11) NASA LUNAR SCIENCE INSTITUTE - COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT NOTICE

Proposals Due: Aug. 29, 2008

The NASA Lunar Science Institute (NLSI) announces an opportunity for the submission of multi-institutional team-based proposals for innovative research in lunar science. Education and public outreach must be an integral element of all NLSI proposals. Up to five percent of the total proposed budget in each proposal may be allocated to E/PO activities. Following selection and award, Institute members are expected to be actively involved in implementing their Team’s E/PO program(s) and to participate in NLSI’s E/PO program as coordinated by the NLSI central office. Connections to other NASA Science Mission Directorate or Exploration Systems Mission Directorate E/PO efforts are strongly encouraged.

For guidelines and more information about this opportunity, visit: http://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/solicitations/summary.do?method=init&solId=%7B144E53A3-FD42-5894-B14F-1C48031DF574%7D&path=open.

(12) NASA GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE EDUCATION PROJECT

Notice of Intent Due: Aug. 29

Proposals Due: Oct. 24

NASA’s Office of Education, in cooperation with NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, is soliciting proposals for the NASA Global Climate Change Education (GCCE) project. The GCCE project is designed to improve the quality of global climate change and Earth system science education at the elementary, secondary, and undergraduate levels. Each funded proposal is expected to take advantage of NASA’s unique contributions in climate science to enhance students’ academic experiences and/or to improve educators’ abilities to engage and stimulate their students.

For guidelines and more information about this opportunity, visit: http://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/solicitations/summary.do?method=init&solId=%7BA0A2FB8B-E96B-7579-5530-2709EE450F3F%7D&path=open.

(13) K-12 COMPETITIVE EDUCATION GRANT PROGRAM

Notice of Intent and Preliminary Proposals Due: Aug. 22

NASA has released a Research Announcement for K-12 Competitive Grants (K12CG). The K12CG effort will seek innovate approaches to using NASA-themed content in support of secondary-level teaching and learning, with a particular emphasis on high school education. Each funded proposal is expected to leverage NASA’s unique contributions in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, to enhance students’ academic experiences and/or to improve educators’ abilities to engage and stimulate their students. Proposed work must be grounded in education research and/or best practices. The work must incorporate formative, summative and other evaluations, as appropriate.

For guidelines and more information about this opportunity, visit: http://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/solicitations/summary.do?method=init&solId=%7bC4EC7F3B-D629-1AFC-398C-C3DAA5A28413%7d&path=open.

(14) COMPETITIVE PROGRAM FOR SCIENCE MUSEUMS AND PLANETARIUMS (CP4SMP)

Notice of Intent Due: Aug. 18

Proposals Due: Oct. 17

Proposers may request a grant or cooperative agreement to support NASA-themed science, technology, engineering or mathematics informal education, including exhibits, within these congressionally directed topics: space exploration, aeronautics, space science, Earth science or microgravity. CP4SMP is a competitive, high-quality, national program to recruit NASA's flagship investment in the Office of Education's Outcome Goal 3: Build strategic partnerships and linkages between STEM formal and informal education providers that promote STEM literacy and awareness of NASA's mission. Eligible institutions of informal education do not need to have the words “museum,” “science” or “planetarium” in their official name.

For more information about this opportunity, visit http://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/solicitations/summary.do?method=init&solId=%7bA0A2FB8B-E96B-7579-5530-2709EE450F3F%7d&path=open.

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EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES [Top]

(15) SPACE SCIENCE IS FOR EVERYONE: CREATING AND USING ACCESSIBLE RESOURCES IN EDUCATIONAL SETTINGS

This collection of helpful hints and resources is based on a series of seven “Exceptional Space Science Materials for Exceptional Students” workshops, held by the Southeast Regional Clearinghouse (SERCH). The brochure is offered as a tool for science, technology, engineering and mathematics educators who are working with students and/or audiences with disabilities. Some activity descriptions are supplemented with case study examples addressing a particular disability. In addition, contributing educator-authors have provided a variety of lessons learned from formal education (Pre-K-12), home school education and informal or “free-choice” education learning venues, such as science centers, museums and planetariums: http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/Space_Science_Is_for_Everyone.html.

(16) FREE PODCASTS OF NONTECHNICAL ASTRONOMY TALKS

Audio recordings of twelve public lectures by noted astronomers are now available through the Astronomical Society of the Pacific (ASP). The talks were recorded at Foothill College in the Silicon Valley Astronomy Lecture Series. Each hour-long lecture is followed by a question and answer period, in which the speaker gives further details and personal glimpses about the topics under discussion. Topics include:

  • Better Searches for Signals from Extra-terrestrial Civilizations
  • Hunting for Earth-like Planets Among the Stars
  • Asteroid Impacts and the Evolution of Life on Earth
  • Climate Catastrophes in the Solar System
  • Results from the Hubble Space Telescope
  • The Planet Pluto: Maligned but Not Forgotten
  • Dark Energy and the Runaway Universe
  • Estimating the Chances of Life Out There

The lectures are co-sponsored by NASA's Ames Research Center, The SETI Institute, The Foothill College Astronomy Program, and ASP. Podcasts are available as free MP3 downloads at the ASP web site: http://www.astrosociety.org/education/podcast/index.html.

The live talks are given during each school year. If you live in the San Francisco area, sign up for email notification of upcoming events at: http://www.foothill.edu/staff/mailingcenter.html#astronmy (sign up to receive "Foothill College Astronomy Mailing List").

(17) NEW NASA ‘FIRE & SMOKE’ WEB PAGE SHOWS LATEST FIRE VIEWS, RESEARCH

NASA satellites, aircraft, and research know-how have created numerous cutting-edge tools to help firefighters battle wildfires. These tools also have helped scientists understand the impact of fires and smoke on Earth's climate and ecosystems. Now, a new NASA Website brings to the public and journalists the latest information about this ongoing effort. The site is updated regularly and includes NASA images of fires and their associated smoke plumes in the United States and around the world as well as articles on the latest research results and multimedia resources from across NASA. Access the site at: http://www.nasa.gov/fires.

(18) LANDSAT DATA IN NEW UNEP ATLAS OF AFRICA’S ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE

This Atlas, compiled on behalf of the ministers by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), underlines how development choices, population growth, climate change and, in some cases, conflicts are shaping and impacting the natural and nature-based assets of Africa. Taking advantage of the latest space technology and Earth observation science, including the 36-year legacy of the US Landsat satellite program, the Atlas serves to demonstrate the potential of satellite imagery data in monitoring ecosystems and natural resources dynamics. This in turn can provide the kind of hard, evidence-based data to support political decisions aimed at improving management of Africa's natural resources.

For more information on the UNEP Atlas, visit: http://landsat.gsfc.nasa.gov/news/news-archive/news_0152.html. To view and access Landsat data, visit: http://landsat.gsfc.nasa.gov/data/where.html.

(19) CALCULATOR-CONTROLLED ROBOTS: HANDS-ON MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE DISCOVERY EDUCATOR GUIDE – GRADES 6-9

This guide provides activities for using calculator-controlled robots over the course of one semester. Students create programs in TI BASIC to run Norland Research calculator robots. Missions are built sequentially on the knowledge of previous activities. The first missions have step-by-step programming instructions that gradually lead students to create their own programs in later missions. Students use and apply math and science concepts to direct their robots through a variety of challenges: http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/Calculator-Controlled_Robots.html.

(20) USING RADIOSONDE DATA FROM A WEATHER BALLOON LAUNCH

A new lesson plan designed for grades 7-12 is now available through MY NASA DATA. The data (air temperature, dew point, and air pressure) was collected during a July 2005 balloon launch at NASA Langley Research Center. Students use the data to analyze weather parameters and distinguish characteristics of the lower atmosphere. Available at: http://mynasadata.larc.nasa.gov/preview_lesson.php?&passid=34.

(21) NASA EARTH OBSERVATORY FEATURE ARTICLES

American Carbon

The Vulcan Project maps where and when Americans burn fossil fuels: http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Study/AmericanCarbon.

The Ocean’s Carbon Balance

The amount of carbon dioxide the ocean can take from the atmosphere is controlled by both natural cycles and human activity: http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Study/OceanCarbon.

Siberia 2008: Kotuykan River Expedition

Scientists on a remote river in Siberia send field reports of their expedition to study the impacts of fire and climate change on northern forests and tundra: http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Study/SiberiaBlog2008.

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SCIENCE NEWS [Top]
For the latest NASA Earth and space science news, visit the Science Mission Directorate website (http://science.hq.nasa.gov/), the NASA Earth Observatory (http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov) or Science@NASA (). Science@NASA stories are also available as podcasts, as well as translated into Spanish at their sister site, Ciencia@NASA, http://ciencia.nasa.gov/. NASA science is also regularly featured on Earth & Sky radio shows available at http://www.earthsky.org/.

(22) AT THE EDGE OF THE PINWHEEL GALAXY

July 29 - A new infrared image from NASA’s Spitzer Space Telescope has revealed the distribution of important organic molecules in the distant “Pinwheel” galaxy (official name, Messier 101). The finding is providing information about molecules in space that could have played a role in the origin of life: http://astrobio.net/news/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=2821&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0

(23) NASA'S PHOENIX MARS LANDER WORKING WITH STICKY SOIL

July 28 - Scientists and engineers on NASA's Phoenix Mars Mission spent the weekend examining how the icy soil on Mars interacts with the scoop on the lander's robotic arm, while trying different techniques to deliver a sample to one of the instruments: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/phoenix/news/phoenix-20080728.html

(24) PLASMA BULLETS SPARK NORTHERN LIGHTS

July 24 – Researchers using a fleet of five NASA THEMIS satellites have discovered that explosions of magnetic energy a third of the way to the moon power substorms that cause sudden brightenings and rapid movements of the aurora borealis, called the Northern Lights. The culprit turns out to be magnetic reconnection, a common process that occurs throughout the universe when stressed magnetic field lines suddenly snap to a new shape, like a rubber band that's been stretched too far. For more information about the THEMIS mission, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/themis.

(25) NASA’S AMES AND JPL WIN NASA SOFTWARE OF YEAR AWARD

July 22 – Computer programs that are used to define safety margins for fiery spacecraft re-entries and help detect planets outside our solar system are co-winners of NASA's 2007 Software of the Year Award. The software, Data-Parallel Line Relaxation (DPLR) is used to analyze and predict the extreme environments human and robotic spacecraft experience during super high-speed entries into planetary atmospheres. For more information about how winners were chosen, visit NASA's Inventions and Contributions Board, at: http://icb.nasa.gov.

(26) NASA WORKS TO IMPROVE SHORT-TERM WEATHER FORECASTS

July 18 – NASA scientists are using an infrared sounder in space to improve short-term weather forecasting. Read the full story at: http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/18jul_airs.htm?list1110881.

(27) NASA NAMES NEW GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CENTER DIRECTOR

July 17 – NASA Administrator Michael Griffin announced that Rob Strain will be the next center director of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md. Strain is currently the head of the Space Department at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab in Laurel, Md. He will assume his duties as center director on August 4.

For more information on the Goddard Space Flight Center, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/home/index.html.

(28) NASA SPACECRAFT SHOWS DIVERSE, WET ENVIRONMENTS ON ANCIENT MARS

July 16 – Two studies based on data from NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter have revealed that the Red Planet once hosted vast lakes, flowing rivers and a variety of other wet environments that had the potential to support life. For more specific information on the two studies, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/mro.

(29) NASA RESPONDS TO CALIFORNIA WILDFIRE EMERGENCY IMAGING REQUEST

July 11 – Ikhana, a remotely piloted aircraft carrying a NASA sensor, flew over California gathering information that will be used to help fight the wildfires burning throughout the state. The onboard sensor can detect temperature differences from less than one-half degree to approximately 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit. The scanner operates like a digital camera with specialized filters to detect light energy at visible, infrared and thermal wavelengths. To see the collection of images from Ikhana and NASA satellites, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/topics/earth/features/fire_and_smoke.html.

(30) WHAT’S WRONG WITH THE SUN?

July 11 – The sun is entering its third year of eerie calm. Sunspots are rare and solar flares simply aren't happening. Is this "solar minimum" lasting longer than it should? A NASA scientist has examined centuries of sunspot data to find the answer. See the findings at: http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/11jul_solarcycleupdate.htm?list1022025.

(31) A TELESCOPE MADE OF MOONDUST

July 9 – Mix moondust with epoxy, add a dash of carbon nanotubes, and spin. The result? A parabolic mirror perfectly suited for a giant lunar observatory. A NASA-supported scientist has discovered this new recipe for making telescopes out of moondust, and to prove it works he has spun a "moondust mirror" here on Earth. Read the full story at: http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/09jul_moonscope.htm?list1022025.

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CALENDAR [Top]

Aug. 1
Total Solar Eclipse, Live Webcast from China, http://www.exploratorium.edu/eclipse.

Aug. 8
Free Webinar with Dr. Lucy McFadden, http://dawn.jpl.nasa.gov/science/webcast.asp.

Aug. 8
NASA launches Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES)-O, http://goespoes.gsfc.nasa.gov/goes/index.html.

Aug. 10
Deadline to register for CESE Meeting: Public Literacy in Earth System Science, http://www.regonline.com/Checkin.asp?EventId=626418.

Aug. 18
Notice of Intent Due – Competitive Program for Science Museums and Planetariums (CP4SMP), http://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/solicitations/summary.do?method=init&solId=%7bA0A2FB8B-E96B-7579-5530-2709EE450F3F%7d&path=open.

Aug. 22
Notice of Intent & Preliminary Proposals Due – K-12 Competitive Education Grant Program, http://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/solicitations/summary.do?method=init&solId=%7bC4EC7F3B-D629-1AFC-398C-C3DAA5A28413%7d&path=open.

Aug. 29
Notice of Intent Due – NASA Global Climate Change Education Project, http://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/solicitations/summary.do?method=init&solId=%7BA0A2FB8B-E96B-7579-5530-2709EE450F3F%7D&path=open.

Aug. 29
Proposals Due - NASA Lunar Science Institute - Cooperative Agreement Notice, http://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/solicitations/summary.do?method=init&solId=%7B144E53A3-FD42-5894-B14F-1C48031DF574%7D&path=open.

Sept. 1
Deadline to apply for MS PHD Professional Development Program, http://www.msphds.org.

Sept. 1
Early bird registration for NCAR Climate Discovery Online Course for Educators, http://ecourses.ncar.ucar.edu.

Sept. 10
NASA/Library of Congress Public Presentation Series: Space-Based Ornithology: on the Wings of Migration and Biophysics, http://www.loc.gov/rr/scitech/events/events.html.

Sept. 11-13
CESE Meeting: Public Literacy in Earth System Science, http://www.regonline.com/Checkin.asp?EventId=626418.

Sept. 19 – Nov. 7
NCAR Climate Discovery Online Course for Educators, http://ecourses.ncar.ucar.edu.

Sept. 30
Deadline - American Student Moon Orbiter (ASMO) Request for Information, http://asmo.arc.nasa.gov.

Oct. 5
NASA launches the Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX) spacecraft, http://ibex.swri.org.

Oct. 12-18
Earth Science Week, http://www.earthsciweek.org/.

Oct. 17
Proposals Due – Competitive Program for Science Museums and Planetariums (CP4SMP), http://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/solicitations/summary.do?method=init&solId=%7bA0A2FB8B-E96B-7579-5530-2709EE450F3F%7d&path=open.

Oct. 21
NASA/Library of Congress Public Presentation Series: Invasive Species in the United States, http://www.loc.gov/rr/scitech/events/events.html.

Oct. 24
Notice of Intent Due – NASA Global Climate Change Education Project, http://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/solicitations/summary.do?method=init&solId=%7BA0A2FB8B-E96B-7579-5530-2709EE450F3F%7D&path=open.

Oct. 27
Proposals Due – K-12 Competitive Education Grant Program, http://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/solicitations/summary.do?method=init&solId=%7bC4EC7F3B-D629-1AFC-398C-C3DAA5A28413%7d&path=open.

Sept. 1
Applications Due – MS PhD Professional Development Program, http://www.msphds.org.

Sept. 30
Request for Information Deadline: NASA Office of Education, American Student Moon Orbiter Project, http://asmo.arc.nasa.gov/.

Oct. 8
Return to Hubble Space Telescope - Planned Servicing Mission, http://hubble.nasa.gov/missions/intro.php.

Dec. 16
NASA launches GOES-O, http://goespoes.gsfc.nasa.gov/goes/index.html.

Jan. 15
NASA Launches the Orbiting Carbon Observatory, http://oco.jpl.nasa.gov.

Feb. 4
NASA launches NOAA-N, http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/noaa-n/main/index.html.

Feb. 16
NASA launches Kepler, http://kepler.nasa.gov.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS [Top]

NASA Science Mission Directorate: Larry Cooper, Ann Coren, and Ming-Ying Wei.

Editor: Theresa Schwerin, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES), theresa_schwerin@strategies.org.

Writer: Catherine Fahey, IGES, catherine_fahey@strategies.org.

Contributions from: Carlyn Buckler, PRI/Cornell University; Judy Counley, Mid-Continent Research for Education and Learning; Andrew Fraknoi, Foothill College; Isabel Hawkins and Karin Hauck, University of California, Berkeley; Jan Heiderer, The GLOBE Program; Kirsten Meymaris, NCAR; Bonnie McClain, NASA GSFC; Susan Moore, NASA Langley Research Center; Denise Smith, Space Telescope Science Institute; and Dan Stillman, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies.