Filed under: Astronomy, Cool Science, Higher Education, K-12, NASA, OMSI, STEM, Science
(From our friends at OMSI in Portland Oregon)
The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) will offer space exploration enthusiasts the opportunity to watch the Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS) crash-land on the Moon Friday, October 9. The LCROSS will crash into the Moon in order to gather data from the 6-mile-high impact cloud it will create. OMSI will be showing the impact in the auditorium live via satellite on NASA TV beginning at 3:30 a.m., with the impact scheduled at 4:30 a.m. PDT. Admission for the televised impact is free.
The Mission Objectives of the Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS) include confirming the presence or absence of water ice in a permanently shadowed crater at the Moon’s South Pole. The identification of water is very important to the future of human activities on the Moon. LCROSS will excavate the permanently dark floor of one of the Moon’s polar craters with two heavy impactors in 2009 to test the theory that ancient ice lies buried there. The impact will eject material from the crater’s surface to create a plume that specialized instruments will be able to analyze for the presence of water (ice and vapor), hydrocarbons and hydrated materials.
On October 9, 2009 at 4:30 a.m. Pacific time, the Centaur upper stage of the rocket that launched Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and LCROSS to the Moon will crash in to moon crater at the south pole, Cabeus A, as the LCROSS spacecraft watches. Four minutes later, LCROSS itself will crash at the same spot. The impact will be watched by numerous spacecraft and both amateur and professional ground-based observatories. On that date the impact site will be in darkness but the ejecta plume, predicted to be approximately 6 miles in height, will launch into sunlight.
The impact will be observed by several space-based observatories, including the newly refurbished Hubble Space Telescope; GeoEye, a private spacecraft that provides high-resolution satellite imagery; Odin, a Swedish radio astronomy satellite; NASA’s Earth Observing 1 technology demonstration satellite; and LCROSS’s sister mission Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. In addition, numerous professional ground-based telescopes will be watching, including Keck, Gemini, and IRTF in Hawaii; Magdalena Ridge and Apache Point Observatories in New Mexico, and MMT in Arizona.
For more information about the LCROSS mission, including images and timeline, visit: http://lcross.arc.nasa.gov/
Please note that the LCROSS impact date and time is subject to change by NASA.
ABOUT OMSI
Founded in 1944, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) is one of the nation’s leading science museums, a world-class tourist attraction, and an award-winning educational resource for the kid in each of us. OMSI is located at 1945 SE Water Avenue, Portland, OR 97214. For general information, call 503.797.4000 or visit http://www.omsi.edu
Filed under: Astronomy, Cool Science, Higher Education, K-12, NASA, OMSI, STEM, Science, Student Opportunities, Teacher Opportunities
PORTLAND, Ore. (Sept. 21, 2009) The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) will offer space exploration enthusiasts the opportunity to watch the Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS) crash-land on the Moon Friday, October 9, 2009. The LCROSS will crash into the Moon in order to gather data from the 6-mile-high impact cloud it will create. OMSI will be showing the impact in the auditorium live via satellite on NASA TV beginning at 3:30 a.m., with the impact scheduled at 4:30 a.m. PDT. Admission for the televised impact is free.
The Mission Objectives of the Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS) include confirming the presence or absence of water ice in a permanently shadowed crater at the Moon’s South Pole. The identification of water is very important to the future of human activities on the Moon. LCROSS will excavate the permanently dark floor of one of the Moon’s polar craters with two heavy impactors in 2009 to test the theory that ancient ice lies buried there. The impact will eject material from the crater’s surface to create a plume that specialized instruments will be able to analyze for the presence of water (ice and vapor), hydrocarbons and hydrated materials.
On October 9, 2009 at 4:30 a.m. Pacific time, the Centaur upper stage of the rocket that launched Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and LCROSS to the Moon will crash in to moon crater at the south pole, Cabeus A, as the LCROSS spacecraft watches. Four minutes later, LCROSS itself will crash at the same spot. The impact will be watched by numerous spacecraft and both amateur and professional ground-based observatories. On that date the impact site will be in darkness but the ejecta plume, predicted to be approximately 6 miles in height, will launch into sunlight.
The impact will be observed by several space-based observatories, including the newly refurbished Hubble Space Telescope; GeoEye, a private spacecraft that provides high-resolution satellite imagery; Odin, a Swedish radio astronomy satellite; NASA’s Earth Observing 1 technology demonstration satellite; and LCROSS’s sister mission Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. In addition, numerous professional ground-based telescopes will be watching, including Keck, Gemini, and IRTF in Hawaii; Magdalena Ridge and Apache Point Observatories in New Mexico, and MMT in Arizona.
For more information about the LCROSS mission, including images and timeline, visit: http://lcross.arc.nasa.gov/
Please note that the LCROSS impact date and time is subject to change by NASA.
ABOUT OMSI
Founded in 1944, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) is one of the nation’s leading science museums, a world-class tourist attraction, and an award-winning educational resource for the kid in each of us. OMSI is located at 1945 SE Water Avenue, Portland, OR 97214. For general information, call 503.797.4000 or visit http://www.omsi.edu
Filed under: Astronomy, Cool Science, OMSI, STEM, Science, Student Opportunities, Teacher Opportunities | Tags: meteorites, Perseid Meteor Shower
The Sky is Falling: Meteorites, Fireballs and their Impact
August 8 —1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Free for Members / $5.75 for Nonmembers
Join us on August 8 as Dick Pugh, Field Scientist with Portland State University’s Cascadia Meteorite Laboratory speaks from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm in OMSI’s Kendall Planetarium. Learn about the different categories of meteorites and their history. In addition, a large collection of meteorites from the lab will be on display during the presentation. The public is encouraged to bring samples of stones they think may be meteorites for examination.
OMSI’s Kendall Planetarium is located in Portland, Oregon. For more information regarding the planetarium and the many educational programs offered through OMSI, please visit the OMSI website at http://www.OMSI.edu
Filed under: Astronomy, K-12, OMSI, Science, Student Opportunities | Tags: Star Party
On Saturday evening, July 18, OMSI, Rose City Astronomers and Vancouver Sidewalk Astronomers will view the summer night sky with a free Star Party! Join us as we gaze at the heavens at Rooster Rock State Park and Stub Stewart State Park starting at 9:30 p.m. and is free with $3 parking per vehicle. For the first time ever, star parties will be held at two viewing locations on the same night. From beginners to experts of all ages, visitors will have the opportunity to view the stars and other objects through a variety of telescopes. Viewing highlights includes the planet Saturn, Jupiter, several clusters, and more! As an extra bonus, the International Space Station (perhaps docked with space shuttle Endeavour) will be visible at 9:23 pm and 10:58 pm on Saturday evening!
To reach Rooster Rock State Park, take I-84 east of the Sandy River at exit 25. The park is located 22 miles east of Portland.
To reach L.L. “Stub” Stewart State Park, take US-26 west of Portland and turn right on OR-47. The park is located 23 miles west of Portland.
It is suggested that interested visitors call (503) 797-4610 on July 18 after 3:00 p.m. for possible weather-related cancellations.
For more information about OMSI, please visit their website at http://www.omsi.edu/
For more information about the Rose City Astronomers, visit http://www.rca-omsi.org/
For more information about the Vancouver Sidewalk Astronomers, visit http://www.vsausa.org/
Filed under: Astronomy, OMSI, Science, Student Opportunities | Tags: Star Party
Summer Solstice Celebration – June 13, 2009
Summer officially begins with the summer solstice on Sunday, June 21 at 9:45 p.m. PDT. On Saturday evening, June 13, OMSI, Rose City Astronomers and Vancouver Sidewalk Astronomers will celebrate the summer solstice and the beginning of summer with a free Star Party! Join us as we gaze at the pre- summer night sky at Rooster Rock State Park and Stub Stewart State Park starting at 9:30 p.m. and is free with $3 parking per vehicle.. For the first time ever, star parties will be held at two viewing locations on the same night. From beginners to experts of all ages, visitors will have the opportunity to view the stars and other objects through a variety of telescopes.
Viewing highlights includes the planet Saturn, several clusters, and more! For possible weather cancellation, call (503) 797-4610 on June 13 after 3:00 PM to get the latest information.
To reach Rooster Rock State Park, take I-84 east of the Sandy River at exit 25. The park is located 22 miles east of Portland.
To reach L.L. “Stub” Stewart State Park, take US-26 west of Portland and turn right on OR-47. The park is located 23 miles west of Portland.
It is suggested that interested visitors call (503) 797-4610 on June 13 after 3:00 p.m. for possible weather-related cancellations.
OMSI CELEBRATES ASTRONOMY DAY
May 2, 2009
Visitors at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry will be star struck on May 2 as they learn about latest from meteorites, constellations, universe and telescopes during Astronomy Day Celebration 2009. Astronomy Day is a worldwide event designed to promote public awareness and interest in International Year of Astronomy 2009.
Astronomy representatives from around the state will be at OMSI during the celebration, including the Rose City Astronomers Club, Vancouver Sidewalk Astronomers, Oregon Parks and Recreation, Sunriver Observatory, Portland State University’s Cascadia Meteorite Laboratory. Safely view the surface of the sun through special filtered telescopes with help from experts. Get a free star chart and be ready to view the stars, planets and more from your own backyard. OMSI’s Astronomy Day 2009 is included with general museum admission.
For more information, visit the OMSI website at http://www.omsi.edu/
OMSI Star Party – Planet Parade (Portland Oregon)
April 18 starting at 7:30 pm
Join OMSI, the Rose City Astronomers and Vancouver Sidewalk Astronomers a free Star Party at both Rooster Rock State Park and L.L. “Stub” Stewart State Park! On April 18, starting at 7:30 pm, we will view two of the visible planets of the solar system in the mid-April night sky. For the first time ever, star parties will be held at two viewing locations on the same night. From beginners to experts of all ages, here’s your opportunity to view the stars and other celestial objects up close and personal through telescopes. Viewing highlights includes the planets Mercury and Saturn, deep sky objects including the Orion Nebula, Beehive star cluster and more!
To reach Rooster Rock State Park, take I-84 east of the Sandy River at exit 25. The park is located 22 miles east of Portland.
To reach L.L. “Stub” Stewart State Park, take US-26 west of Portland and turn right on OR-47. The park is located 23 miles west of Portland.
Both events start at 7:30 pm and is free with $3 parking per vehicle.
It is suggested that interested visitors call (503) 797-4610 on April 18 after 3:00 p.m. for possible weather-related cancellations.
Filed under: Astronomy, K-12, OMSI, STEM, Science, Student Opportunities, Teacher Opportunities | Tags: Star Party
(from our friends at OMSI)
100 Hours of Astronomy
Sunday, April 5, 2009 at OMSI
(Oregon Museum of science and Industry in Portland Oregon)
Join OMSI and the Rose City Astronomers with the rest of the world for the celebration of ‘100 Hours of Astronomy’ at OMSI on Sunday, April 5. “100 Hours of Astronomy” is the single largest event taking place during International Year of Astronomy 2009. This will be a worldwide celebration composed of a broad range of activities, aimed at involving the public in astronomy. The global event will take place over four days and nights, from April 2-5 2009. During this period, people from around the globe will share the experience of observing the sky. For many, it will be their first glimpse of the wonders of the heavens through a telescope.
From 11:00 am to 3:00 pm on Sunday, April 5, view the Sun, through filtered telescopes for safe viewing, to see solar prominences, sun spots and flares. In addition, planet Venus and the waning crescent moon will be visible.
During the evening of April 5, take a look at the spring night sky, planet Saturn and other celestial sights through telescopes and binoculars of all sizes on OMSI’s east parking lot. From beginners to experts, all ages are invited. As always, night sky viewing will occur, weather permitting.
for more information, please visit OMSI’s website at http://www.omsi.edu/index.php/starparties
Filed under: Astronomy, Higher Education, K-12, OMSI, STEM, Science, Student Opportunities, Teacher Opportunities | Tags: Star Party
(from our friends at OMSI in Portland, OR)
OMSI Star Parties – Vernal Equinox Celebration
March 21, 2009 starting at 7:30 pm
On Saturday March 21, OMSI, Rose City Astronomers and Vancouver Sidewalk Astronomers will celebrate the vernal equinox and the beginning of spring with a free Star Party at both Rooster Rock State Park and L.L. “Stub” Stewart State Park! For the first time ever, star parties will be held at two viewing locations on the same night. From beginners to experts of all ages, here’s your opportunity to view the stars and other celestial objects up close and personal through telescopes. Viewing highlights includes the planets Venus and Saturn, deep sky objects including the Orion Nebula, Beehive star cluster and more! As added bonus, will have two sighting opportunities of the space shuttle Discovery docked with International Space Station.
Join us as we gaze at the spring night sky at Rooster Rock State Park, located 22 miles east of Portland on I-84 just east of Sandy River at exit 25. To reach L.L. “Stub” Stewart State Park, take US-26 west of Portland and turn right on OR-47. The event starts at 7:30 pm and is free with $3 parking per vehicle.
It is suggested that interested visitors call (503) 797-4610 on March 21 after 3:00 p.m. for possible weather-related cancellations.
Filed under: NASA, OMSI, STEM, Science | Tags: shuttle launch, Space Shuttle Endeavour, Space Shuttle Launch
(From our friends at OMSI)
WATCH NASA SPACE SHUTTLE ENDEAVOUR LAUNCH AT OMSI NOV. 14
Oregon Astronaut Don Pettit On Board
On Friday, November 14, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) will offer space exploration enthusiasts a front-row seat to watch Oregon astronaut Don Pettit launch into space aboard NASA’s space shuttle Endeavour STS-126. OMSI will be showing the lift-off in the planetarium live via satellite on NASA TV beginning at 4:00 p.m., with the shuttle’s launch scheduled at 4:55 p.m. PDT. Admission for the televised launch is free.
Space shuttle Endeavour’s STS-126 flight will feature important repair work and prepare the International Space Station to house six crew members for long-duration missions. The 15-day flight includes four planned spacewalks. These spacewalks will focus on servicing the station’s two Solar Alpha Rotary Joints, which allow its solar arrays to track the sun.
Astronaut Donald Pettit, born in 1955 in Silverton, Oregon, is married and has two children. A 1973 graduate of Silverton Union High School, Pettit received a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering from Oregon State University in 1978 and a PhD in chemical engineering from the University of Arizona in 1983. Selected by NASA in April 1996, Pettit reported to the Johnson Space Center that August. Pettit’s sole space mission to date has been as a mission specialist on International Space Station Expedition 6 in 2002 and 2003. During his six-month stay aboard the space station, Pettit performed two spacewalks to help install external scientific equipment and filmed numerous experiments on free spheres of water in an extremely low gravity environment.
For more information about the STS-126 mission, including images and interviews with the crew, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/news/
Please note that the shuttle lift-off date and time is subject to change by NASA.
About the Harry C. Kendall Planetarium:
OMSI’s Harry C. Kendall Planetarium, a 200-seat, 360-degree, 52-foot domed theater, is the largest and most technologically advanced public planetarium in the Pacific Northwest. This high-tech venue features state-of-the-art Sky Scan full dome video allowing the planetarium dome to be completely covered with real and computer-generated images to create one complete environment.
About OMSI:
Founded in 1944, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) is one of the nation’s leading science museums, an award-winning world-class tourist attraction and an educational resource for the kid in each of us. OMSI is located at 1945 SE Water Avenue, Portland, OR 97214. For general information, call 503.797.4000 or visit www.omsi.edu
