Bow Down to Science

HUSKY SUNDAY:  This weekend marked the annual "Paws on Science" event at Pacific Science Center. It's a chance for the public to meet dozens of University of Washington (Huskies) scientists to learn what they're studying and teaching. 

As we drove to the event, the kids' excite-o-meters started to spike, especially Annabelle's. She started listing all of the booths she could remember from years past and what she'd learned. 

We went for the last two hours of the three day event, which wasn't a bad call. It was pretty sedate, crowd wise, and the kids got some great one-on-one time with scientists.

Above, they were seeing a cool demonstration about how ultrasonic waves can do more than create an image. They can MOVE things, like breaking up a kidney stone or cause water to spout. Super cool!

Below is a graph of the earthquake CJ and Annabelle created by jumping up and down on the Pacific Science Center floor.

They had a lot of fun learning about microbes ...

These petri dishes showed that they might not want to use the 5-second rule going forward. A toilet seat is a *LOT* cleaner than the floor.

One of their favorite stations was the solar power spot. They each built a number of different cars, trying different combinations of things to see how they could improve their car's speed.

MARVELOUS MARS: Make sure you try to check Mars out in the night sky tonight and tomorrow. On April 8, the Earth is between the sun and Mars, and this month we're closer to the Red Planet than we have been in about six and a half years! Mars is in the eastern sky at sunset.  

And Mars will be near the moon on the night of the total lunar eclipse on April 14-15. Weather permitting, people in the Americas should be able to see it.

Last night, Jupiter was very near the moon. We enjoyed gazing at it through our skylights and from the back porch. Here's a crappy shot of it (for lack of a tripod close at hand. 

DATABANK: Whilst looking for a nice photo of Mars today, I discovered a new-to-us resource: DVIDS - Defense Video and Imagery Distribution System: http://www.dvidshub.net/. As the site's name might suggest, there are definitely lots of military-related images and videos, but it's certainly not all soldiers on the battlefield shots. 

GOING DOWN:  NASA's Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer (LADEE) has been . However, the spacecraft will soon make its last circuit 'round our moon, and NASA is having a contest where people can guess when it will impact the surface. 

An artist's concept of NASA's Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer (LADEE) spacecraft seen orbiting near the surface of the moon. Image credit: NASA Ames / Dana Berry

Right now, LADEE is gradually lowering its orbital altitude over the moon. NASA says the spacecraft will impact the surface of the moon on or before April 21. On April 11, ground controllers at NASA's Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, Calif., will give LADEE its final orbital maintenance maneuver orders, prior to the total lunar eclipse of April 15. This four-hour eclipse will expose the spacecraft to conditions just on the edge of what it was designed to survive. Ultimately, LADEE is going to crash on the dark side of the moon

Anyone is eligible to enter the "Take the Plunge: LADEE Impact Challenge." Submit your guess before the Friday, April 11 deadline of 3 p.m. Pacific time.  Entry form here: http://socialforms.nasa.gov/ladee