Phoenix Mars Landing Preview Webcast for Schools
On May 25, 2008, the NASA Phoenix spacecraft will arrive at Mars. Phoenix
will be the first vehicle intended to land on the surface of Red Planet since the
Mars Exploration Rovers "Spirit" and "Opportunity" landed in January 2004.
Phoenix is a three-legged lander that will perform its "entry, descent and landing"
sequence and, if successful, will commence a three-month surface science mission.
Phoenix will dig down to an ice-rich layer that scientists calculate lies within inches
of the surface. The lander will check samples of soil and ice for evidence about
whether the site was ever hospitable to life.
NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California will be conducting a live webcast
for schools on Thursday, May 22, at 9:00 a.m. PDT (12:00 p.m. EDT). This
webcast will preview the events of the entry, descent and landing, the path to Mars
so far, and the science mission.
Appropriate for 4th- through 12th-grade classrooms, the program will feature
information and video clips for 30 minutes. Four selected schools connected
through the NASA Digital Learning Network will engage in Q&A with JPL
staff for an additional 20 minutes.
For information on how to view the webcast live, visit
http://dln.nasa.gov/dln/content/webcast/.
To learn more about the Phoenix mission, visit
http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/missions/present/phoenix.html.
25th Anniversary Celebration of Dr. Sally Ride's First Spaceflight --
Earth Then, Earth Now: Our Changing Climate Educator Conference
The Earth Then, Earth Now: Our Changing Climate Educator Conference will
focus on understanding climate change and will celebrate the 25th anniversary
of Dr. Sally Ride's first space shuttle mission. How was Earth's climate
different 25 years ago? What changes are predicted over the next 25 years?
Participants will investigate the basic science behind our understanding of
climate change. They will also learn about the global impact of climate change
on the atmosphere, ocean, continents and ecosystems. The conference will
draw upon the latest science to present the story of our changing climate.
Dr. Ride will give a keynote talk, and leading climate scientists will give presentations.
The conference will also include hands-on activities, materials for the classroom
current ideas for facing our climate challenge and creating a healthier planet.
Participants will also learn about the wide-ranging career opportunities in this
expanding and dynamic field.
The conference is taking place on July 23-24, 2008, at the NOAA Science
Center in Silver Spring, Md. The registration fee of $60 covers teaching
materials and most meals.
For more information and to register for the conference online,
visit http://www.sallyridescience.com/conference.
Terri, Events Coordinator
Email: Events@PASAz.org
Phoenix Astronomical Society
