The familiar image of Saturn and its rings has come to symbolise our idea of a planet but there is still much about Saturn and its system that we do not understand. The history of our beliefs and knowledge about it, one of the most distant planets visible to the naked eye, is described, from the early myths, such as the Indian village that…

The paper identifies possible factors associated with changes in style and presentation of diagrams of lunar phases and eclipses in school textbooks and other resources. Science curriculum resource materials used extensively during the past two hundred and fifty years in North America and Australia provide insights into teaching and learning of…

Describes the planning and construction of an observatory and a planetarium for a secondary school astronomy class by a science teacher with help from the school and from the community. (DS)

This article briefly describes an activity for students to illustrate the relationship between orbital period and orbital motion. To do this, students should calculate the degrees per day that planets travel and then graph them as a function of orbital time. A brief list of resources is also included.

Refutes the Doppler effect as the explanation of large red shifts in the spectra of distant galaxies and explains the relativistic effects in which the light sources approach the observer obliquely. Provides several diagrams and graphs. (YP)

On the occasion of the publication of the fifth edition of his book "The Milky Way," the author presents information on this galaxy and his life-long interest and research in this area. (SK)

The thrust of this book is to indicate relative priorities of technology and the rationale for investment in United States space technology to meet future needs as assessed by the Committee on Advanced Space Technology. In part one, a discussion of potential mission sets is given, including: (1) "Mission Requirements for Space Transportation;…

Highlights the views and comments of Commander Dick Scobee of the space shuttle Challenger, and his wife on various aspects of the space mission. Provides responses to questions involving the goals, values, and tasks of the crew and of the total space shuttle program. (ML)

Suggests that the subject of time travel is the best topic to introduce ideas behind some of the most beautiful and fundamental theories about the nature of space and time. Explains the distinction between the two directions of time travel and how relativity theory forced the abandonment of Newtonian notions about the nature of time. (Author/KHR)

This article briefly describes Earth science. The study of Earth science provides the foundation for an understanding of the Earth, its processes, its resources, and its environment. Earth science is the study of the planet in its entirety, how its lithosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere work together as systems and how they affect…

The changes which occurred in man's view of the solar system from the time of Ptolemy to that of Galileo are presented. Contained is a brief review of the chain of events which resulted in the acceptance of a heliocentric system. Ptolomy's theory is described and a diagram illustrates the paths of the epicycle of Mars according to his geocentric…

Eight examples of innovative and outstanding earth science programs are described. These programs were selected using state criteria and at least four independent reviewers. While Project Synthesis offered a desired state, these examples of excellence provided views of what is already a reality. The goals of an exemplary science program are…

Highlights the unanswered questions of science. Summarizes current leading research that demonstrates that those questions are inherently limited in scope, and the chain of discovery and human curiosity that drives the quest for knowledge shows not the slightest sign of ending. Argues that we have yet to recognize and ask many of the most profound…

Examines the research related to the existance of "dark matter," the material existing between planets whose effects can be seen but whose distribution and identity have yet been learned. (MDH)

One of a series of information packets, the document provides clear, specific information about the controversial subject of astrology. The packet includes six articles explaining the dozens of careful scientific tests which have concluded that there is no scientific evidence supporting astrology. The packet includes an interview with astronomer…