Category Archives: Education

Knowing the Moon’s Distance (re-run)

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This is a “re-run” of a post that originally ran on March 24, 2016. How do we know what we know in science? What is the distance from the Earth to the moon? You can easily find that information using a smart phone and Google. Google says that distance is 238,900 miles. Fine, but how do you know that value is right? Google’s business is not astronomical research. No doubt Google got the value from some “Scientific Authority.” Do you believe Google? Do you believe Scientific Authority? How do you know the moon isn’t just on some dome up there, way above the clouds? Seriously—how do you know? You may simply believe Authority, but plenty of people do not. Just recently [in early 2016] Neil deGrasse Tyson felt the need to respond to rapper B.o.B’s assertion that the world is flat, an idea no more absurd than the moon being on a dome above the clouds. So how might people … Continue reading →

The Mound, the Fort, and the Church: The Trees Speak to Science (Part II)

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How old is Serpent Mound, a Native American monument notable in part for its astronomical alignments? Last week we saw how E. G. Squier and E. H. Davis argued that the Native American works that they surveyed in the 1840’s had to be many centuries old, by reason of the trees growing on those works. However, you may recall from my post of three weeks ago that the Ohio History Connection (formerly the Ohio Historical Society), who operates the Serpent Mounds site, states that— Thousands of years ago, Native Ohioans populated the landscape with mounds and massive earthworks. In the late 19th century, Harvard University archaeologist Frederic Ward Putnam excavated Serpent Mound, but he found no artifacts in the Serpent that might allow archaeologists to assign it to a particular culture. Based largely on the nearby presence of Adena burial mounds, later archaeologists attributed the effigy to the Adena culture that flourished from 800 B.C. to A.D. 100. This theory … Continue reading →

The Mound, the Fort, and the Church: The Trees Speak to Science (Part I)

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My post from two weeks ago discussed Serpent Mound, a large Native American monument, and the possible astronomical alignments in the mound, and really how uncertain is the question of those astronomical alignments. As the Ohio History Connection (formerly the Ohio Historical Society) says— Due to the short sight lines and the inability to define precise alignments… it may not be possible to determine whether the builders of the Serpent really intended it to be aligned to either the sun or the moon. Then last week’s post featured “astronomical alignments” in St. Louis Bertrand Church in my home town of Louisville, Kentucky, and how reliable the calculations and repeatable the results are regarding the position of the sun shining into that church (or into anything else). Not much is uncertain in that case. One nice thing about astronomy is just how reliable and repeatable it can be in so many cases—science at its cleanest and brightest: here are my calculations; … Continue reading →

Dark Sky Painting 3 Edu-painting

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  August 25th I gave a presentation about the Heritage of Astronomy in Ireland. The event was part of Heritage Week 2018. The talk emphasised the fact that Mayo has some of the darkest skies in Europe, therefore we should embrace that fact.  Our Neolithic ancestors claimed their heritage moments in standing stones and circles. These incredible menhirs are still tactile in the land today. Their heritage moments linking them for centuries to our star and the dark sky heavens above. The audience agreed to be some of the ingredients of my Dark Sky Painting homage.  The dark sky reminds us of our place on Earth  and in the universe.  The dark sky teaches us that we to are part of the landscape.  It is in our sprits as are the flora and fauna that surrounds us in this beautiful county. Our 2018 heritage week  moment. The Edu- Painting The painting shows the view looking to the north-east and slightly … Continue reading →

Time’s running out!

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… to apply for the Faith and Astronomy Workshop! Here’s some eye-candy to draw your attention… We’ve had an excellent response so far, and it will be a challenge to select 25 participants from the more-than-25 who have already applied. But there’s still plenty of time to make our decision even more challenging! It only takes a minute or two to apply, and frankly, when it comes to the selection process, the more the merrier! Just click on the box on this web site to be directed to the application form. Find out more about the workshop here: Apply Now for the 2019 Faith and Astronomy Workshop!   … Continue reading →

International Observe the Moon Night – Oct. 20

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International Observe the Moon Night is a worldwide celebration of lunar science and exploration held annually since 2010. One day each year, everyone on Earth is invited to observe and learn about the Moon together, and to celebrate the cultural and personal connections we all have with our nearest neighbor. The event occurs in September or October, when the Moon is around first quarter. A first quarter Moon is visible in the afternoon and evening, a convenient time for most hosts and participants. Furthermore, the best lunar observing is typically along the dusk/dawn terminator, where shadows are the longest, rather than at full Moon. The International Observe the Moon Night website has list of scheduled events – you can register your event here. Resources for hosting your event here. NASA’s Moon Phase and Libration website will show you the phase of the Moon for any date in 2018 – the image below is how the Moon will appear on Oct. 20th. … Continue reading →

The Light of Truth

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My post for last week discussed Serpent Mound in Ohio, and possible astronomical alignments present in that Native American monument. Today is the Autumnal Equinox—one of the days that supposedly is marked by the bends in Serpent Mound—so I am sticking with the theme of astronomical alignments. It turns out that astronomical alignments can be found in all sorts of places, if you think to look for them. A friend of mine, Justin Elliott, is the sort of person who thinks to look for them. He and his family regularly attend either the 9:00 AM or 10:30 AM Mass at St. Louis Bertrand Church in my hometown of Louisville. Perhaps because Justin grew up attending a “megachurch” that is relatively plain compared to St. Louis Bertrand, or perhaps because he has read too many mystery books to his own children, or perhaps because he watched too many movies of the “Indiana Jones” or “DaVinci Code” genres, Justin has a fascination … Continue reading →

Solar Week Fall 2018 – October 22-26

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Solar Week is a week of online lessons, games and hands-on activities about the Sun for grades 5-9, or ages 9-14. Solar Week  happens twice each year, around mid-to-late March, and mid-to-late October. During Solar Week, your group or class can post a question for solar scientists to answer! Celebrating Our Sun-Earth Connection Monday – The Sun As a Star Tuesday – Solar Close-Ups Wednesday – The Active Sun Thursday – The Sky Above: Earth’s Upper Atmosphere Friday – Solar Careers, Internships and Opportunities To post a question – go to the MESSAGE BOARD and then click on the area in which you are interested, for example, “Facts About the Sun” or “Being or Becoming a Scientist.” Click the “Write a New Post” button. Your identity will remain anonymous unless you choose to give your name or affiliation. The Project Scientist for Parker Solar Probe, Dr. Nicky Fox, visited Solar Week in a live webinar to talk about this first mission to the Sun’s … Continue reading →

Dark Sky Painting 2 – We live in Space

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Dark Sky Painting one dealt with the impact of light pollution on bees and other insects. It also sought to teach children and viewers of the painting about the night sky . Dark Sky Painting two deals with the effects humans have on our planets bird species and their habitats.  On Earth there are multitudes of birds in trouble from pollution and habitat interference of all kinds. For this project we focused on just two, Barn Owls and Swifts. The constellations Perseus and Cassiopeia featured as did some perseid meteors. The workshop led up to the perseid meteor shower.  The children were prepared to view, should they have clear skies. They were given notes with a map showing the location of the constellations involved. The children learnt about the effects humans have on our planet. Actions that can cause the decline of some birds species. We share the Earth with Barn Owls and Swifts. Both species are in severe decline in … Continue reading →

Eratosthenes Experiment – September 24, 2018

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Teachers! Take note! Have your students take part in the Eratosthenes Experiment – Sept. 24, 2018! Eratosthenes was a mathematician, geographer, poet, astronomer, and music theorist who lived in ancient Greece. In 240 B.C. Eratosthenes made the first good measurement of the size of Earth’s circumference. You can join with classrooms around the world and repeat his experiment with your students! The Experiment: Ask your students to calculate the circumference of the Earth and submit your data to the experiment’s website. Find the time of your local noon at your location. Please use the web-based NOAA Solar Calculator or Solar Calculator or the Stellarium software (A short guide for using Stellarium to calculate your local noon at your location can be found here in English and in Italian). Take a one-meter stick (H= 1 meter, see figure below) and place it vertically to the ground. Ask your students to measure the length of the stick to make sure it is one meter long. At the time scheduled to conduct the experiment, … Continue reading →

Professor Jocylen Bell Brunell an inspiration

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This week  Professor Jocylen Bell Brunell  from Northern Ireland was awarded a significent prize. This was for her scientific achievments and inspiring leadership. The annnouncment reminded me of her generous nature. One lecture she gave back in 2005 stands out.  My article is an account of her lecture at Trinity College in Dublin. At the time I found her talk fascinating and informative, therefore I wanted to share it once again here.  Her lecture gave voice to Stanley Eddingtons work. Eddington’s work gave voice to Albert Einsteins work. Professor Brunell’s lecture gave voice to both of them.  The fact that Professor Brunell gave away her award to help others is testiment to her personality and beliefs. A women true to herself, an inspiration to us all. Here is an article about Professors Brunell’s award A leading Belfast-born scientist has won a $3m international prize for her ground-breaking work and contribution to the field of physics. Here is my article from … Continue reading →

Photoheliograph part 4

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This entry is part 4 of 4 in the series Photoheliograph

                                                                                                 The Replica Many of the points made in this section have been touched on in the first part. Here I’ll include greater detail. The lens is a Wollensak 127mm 1200mm FL f/9.5 air spaced achromat. It is coated on the outer surface of each lens. It weighs in at nearly 5 pounds including the bezel. It was made by the Virginville optics company in Virginville Pa, also known at the Surplus Shed. The focus spot is ⅝” at 1200mm. The tube is made of clear pine boards, edge glued to make 12” on a side. 2 sides are cut to 10 ½” while the other two are cut to 12”. The boards were … Continue reading →