woodchurch science

go here for some basic research information about our solar system…
mercury
venus
earth
mars
jupiter
saturn
uranus
neptune
pluto (not strictly a planet any more! see here for details)

go here: eyes on the earth, to see real time satellite tracking data, as well as sea ice, CO2, global temp, sea level and ozone data levels. stunning.

there are four main theories: spin theory, capture theory, double planet theory and large impact theory. do some research using these links.

here are a couple of videos you could show to introduce the topic of satellites…first up is a newsreel showing how sputnik was launched in 1957, followed by telstar in 1962…

1950s: Reds Launch First Space Satellite, 7th October 1957


1960s: Satellite Brings The World Closer, 12th July 1962

here’s a link to a few videos to watch whilst you are doing 7L solar system and beyond. scroll down and click the ‘download .wmv files.

here’s a link to some free software that lets you travel the universe on your computer in three dimensions. unlike most planetarium software, celestia doesn’t confine you to the surface of the earth. you can travel throughout the solar system, to any of over 100,000 stars, or even beyond the galaxy. very quick and easy to use…

here’s a load of revision resources for 7l (solar system and beyond). there are 16 resources available plus a load of projectable classroom activities for teachers to use.

apparently i would last 1 minute and 29 seconds. what about you? click here and find out!

an advert will be in the papers next week looking for europe’s first astronaut to walk on the moon. this will mark the beginning of one of the most exciting recruitment drives in more than 40 years. the european astronaut centre needs more astronauts, and if you’re physically fit, cool under pressure, willing to work away from home and have a good head for heights this could be just the job for you. read the rest of the article here