Mr. Mackey's Science Blog!

The brain behind the game | Science News for Kids

2012-01-23T08:00:00.001-06:00

With March Madness right around the corner, basketball-watching season is in full swing... Devoted fans aren’t the only ones watching pro basketball players and other athletes... Researchers are finding that during critical moments of the game, a player’s brain uses information differently than a fan’s, coach’s or other onlooker’s. Read more from Science News for Kids!
The brain behind the game | Science News for Kids

Elements 110, 111, and 112 get names!

2011-11-05T07:06:00.001-05:00

Newly discovered elements get official names from the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics. Up until now, elements 110, 111, and 112 only had temporary names. Now, their officially named

dermstadtium
roentgenium
copernicium

Read more in this article from USA Today

The last space shuttle landed!

2011-07-21T18:51:00.001-05:00

End of an era: Last space shuttle comes home http://hmark.us/3071954C225

Japan Tsunami

2011-07-08T10:03:00.001-05:00

FOR KIDS: Tsunami’s Trek Traced In The Sky - Science News
Remember the tsunami and earthquake in Japan last March?

Will the last shuttle launch today?

2011-07-08T09:53:00.001-05:00

News Republic: http://bit.ly/niG7F3
Stay tuned!

The Last Shuttle

2011-07-07T09:53:00.001-05:00

Shuttle Atlantis poised for final mission | News - Cutting Edge - CNET News
The last flight of the Space Shuttle is set for Friday, to return on July 20, anniversary of Apollo 11's first landing on the moon.

Earthquake in the South Pacific

2011-07-06T17:51:00.001-05:00

News Republic: http://bit.ly/lHHHOZ

Spring Equinox - The First Day of Spring!

2011-03-21T07:19:00.001-05:00

Seasons 2011 2012 dates: spring equinox, summer solstice, fall equinox, winter solstice
The spring equinox occurs at 6:21 pm, CDT, March 20, so March 21 is the first day of spring!

Quake Interactive

2011-03-14T07:19:00.002-05:00

Japan Earthquake: Major Tsunami Damage - FoxNews.com
This interactive page gives you the latest news, information about how nuclear reactors work, forces of nature like earthquakes and tsunamis, and historic earthquakes. I especially like the animation that shows the nuclear reactor under "Nuclear Concerns".
A word of correction: If you look at the "strongest earthquakes", the graphic mislabels the 1960 Chile earthquake (9.5) and the 1964 Alaska earthquake (9.2). They're switched. Remember your geography. You know where Chile and Alaska are.

Spring Break Skies! March 11-19

2011-03-12T09:53:00.001-06:00

SkyandTelescope.com - This Week's Sky at a Glance
There"s a lot to watch for in the night sky this week:

Mercury is low in the west at twilight all week, near brighter Jupiter.

Watch a star disappear! On Sunday night as the sun sets, the dark part of the moon covers an orange-red star high in the south. Exact times for this event are a little unclear. It may not even be visible in Austin after sunset... But even if it's not, with binoculars you get a great view of the crescent moon and you can look for the planet Mercury!

Here' what Sky & Telescope recommends:
Set up at least 15 minutes before the predicted time, and more if you're
planning to use a telescope. Locate the Moon high in the south, and
look for the star just to its left. Binoculars are always a big help. If
you're observing this event in very bright twilight or daylight, you
will need a telescope — and very clear air — to spot Mu Geminorum. Then
watch carefully as the Moon's dark leading edge creeps up on the star.
Make sure you don't blink at the wrong moment, or you'll miss the
disappearance!

Maps of the Japan Earthquake

2011-03-12T08:53:00.001-06:00

USGS Earthquake Hazards Program: Earthquake Location: NEAR EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN
These maps from the United States Geologic Survey (USGS) show where the earthquake happened.

Try to follow this link for a great animation of the spread of the tsunami. It may be slow to load on your computer.
http://nctr.pmel.noaa.gov/honshu20110311/20110311Houshu.mov

A Huge Earthquake Hit Japan

2011-03-12T08:25:00.001-06:00

Japan tsunami causes major damage after 8.9 earthquake - CSMonitor.com
Early Friday morning a magnitude 8.9 earthquake hit about 125 km (80 miles) off the coast of Japan. A 7.4 magnitude quake struck about half an hour later. The earthquakes sent a tsunami that flooded much of the coast of Japan, washing away buildings, cars, and roads. Hundreds of people were killed. The tsunami sped across the Pacific ocean at a speed of about 500 miles per hour, so it struck Hawaii about 6 hours later, and the west coast of the U.S. mainland in about 12 hours. There was some damage, but there was enough warning to give people time to prepare.

Read this article and explore the links to learn more!

This Week's Sky - March 5-12

2011-03-05T21:10:00.001-06:00

SkyandTelescope.com - This Week's Sky at a Glance - This Week's Sky at a Glance
Look west, right after sunset for Jupiter, a thin waxing crescent moon, and maybe a glimpse of the planet Mercury!
And remember... Daylight savings time starts Sunday morning, March 12, at 2 am! Spring ahead: Set your clocks ahead an hour when you go to bed on Saturday.

Venus & Moon in the Morning!

2011-01-28T17:44:00.001-06:00

Venus And Moon Perform Weekend Sky Show | Space.com
Look in the eastern sky, before sunrise on Saturday. Venus and a waning crescent moon will be less than a hand-width apart.

January Solar Eclipse and Meteor Shower

2011-01-04T07:21:00.000-06:00

SPACE.com -- Solar Eclipse and Meteor Shower to Launch 2011 Skywatching Season

We couldn't see today's solar eclipse from Austin, but if the skies are clear we might get a glimpse of some meteors tonight. It could be a really spectacular show in the sky if you can get out of town.

Milwaukee Public Museum - Online

2010-12-27T08:51:00.001-06:00

Virtual Exhibit - Featured Collections - Exhibitions - Milwaukee Public Museum

The Milwaukee Public Museum is one of the oldest in the U.S., and is a great place to visit. Here you can browse some of the artifacts in their collections online!

Lunar Eclipse Slide Show

2010-12-25T11:30:00.001-06:00

FoxNews.com - Stunning Pictures of Total Lunar Eclipse

Did you miss the lunar eclipse in the early hours of December 21? Me, too! Here's a great slide show of what we missed.

The Electronics Revolution: Today, 1947

2010-12-23T10:28:00.001-06:00

Dec. 23, 1947: Transistor Opens Door to Digital Future | This Day In Tech | Wired.com

Our modern electronic age, with cell phones, mp3 players, computers, digital watches, and all the rest began with the invention of the transistor 64 years ago today. What will we see 64 years from now??

Winter Solstice & Lunar Eclipse!

2010-12-21T19:57:00.001-06:00

SkyandTelescope.com - Homepage Observing - Solstice Eclipse

We missed the eclipse because of a snowstorm in Wisconsin, and it looks like it was cloudy in Austin, too.

But today, December 21, is also the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year.

Coal-Powered Power Plant is in the News

2010-12-08T20:04:00.001-06:00

Is power plant to blame for poor pecan crop?
Austin gets much of its electricity from the Fayette Power Plant, southeast of Austin. It burns coal, so it produces sulfur dioxide, a polluting gas. The amount of pollution it produces is under legal limits, but some people think it still is enough to harm crops in the area. Experts disagree, and this shows how it takes a lot of scientific study to come to find out the truth. There aren't any easy answers.

See Venus at dusk; Jupiter at night; Can you find a comet?

2010-10-09T09:33:00.001-05:00

SkyandTelescope.com - This Week's Sky at a Glance

Venus sets just after the sun and just ahead of the moon on Saturday night. You'll need to find a place with a clear western horizon: Bedichek might be a good spot. Let's see!

The really bright "star" in the sky once it gets dark is the planet Jupiter, not a star at all.

There's a comet up in the sky, but you'll need a dark sky and binoculars. It will probably be too bright in south Austin, but it's worth a try. Follow the directions in "This Week's Sky" from Sky and Telescope.

Watch for the planets at sunset!

2010-09-11T08:16:00.001-05:00

SkyandTelescope.com - This Week's Sky at a Glance - This Week's Sky at a Glance
Now that the skies have cleared, we get a beautiful waxing crescent moon accompanied by bright Venus, and fainter Mars and Saturn. You'll have to look low in the west, just above the housetops and just at sundown, to spot Saturn!

Cloudy Weather...

2010-08-11T17:35:00.000-05:00

Looks like clouds and rain are going to get in the way of watching the Perseids tonight (Wednesday), but the forecast is for clear skies tomorrow night. Still, the clouds may break in the early morning hours, so set the alarm and coffee pot for three, just in case...

Watch for Shooting Stars on Wednesday & Thursday Nights!

2010-08-10T12:00:00.001-05:00

SPACE.com -- Excellent Perseid Meteor Shower Expected Aug. 11-13
"Shooting Stars" aren't really stars at all, of course. They're chunks of rock out in space that hit Earth, falling through our atmosphere so fast they burn up. The burning rocks are called meteors. Every August, Earth travels in its orbit through a swarm of these rocks. The result is a meteor shower, called the Perseid Meteor Shower because they seem to fly out of the constellation Perseus.

Watch on Wednesday and Thursday nights. The BEST time is actually from about 2:00 am to dawn. Your best view will be out of town. City lights really get in the way. But if you're stuck in town, go out anyway and see what you can see. Be patient, and enjoy the other stars you can see.

Especially, watch for the three planets, Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars in the western sky after sunset,

Watch the planets and the moon!

2010-07-16T08:26:00.001-05:00

SkyandTelescope.com - This Week's Sky at a Glance

In the middle of July, watch as the moon parades past a different planet each night: On Wednesday, Venus is above and to the right; Thursday, Mars; Friday, Saturn.
Want to see Jupiter? Get up before sunrise and look to the south. It's the brightest "star" in the sky.

Oil Leak Stopped...

2010-07-16T08:02:00.001-05:00

BP caps well; oil stops gushing into Gulf
It's been a while since my last blog entry. Summer's been busy!
Oil has been spilling into the Gulf for about three months now, and the well has finally been capped. We'll be watching over the next two days to see if the cap will hold.

The Night Sky, June 4-12

2010-06-04T16:55:00.002-05:00

SkyandTelescope.com - This Week's Sky at a Glance - This Week's Sky at a Glance
Look for Mars near Regulus on June 5 & 6, Jupiter right under the moon on June 6
Venus is the "evening star" in the west just after sunset.

NY Times Multimedia Oil Spill Coverage

2010-05-16T17:42:00.001-05:00

Multimedia - Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill Multimedia - Multimedia Feature - NYTimes.com
There's lots to look at here about the current oil spill: How it's spreading, How it happened, Efforts to stop and contain it, and more.

Oil Spill Is Growing in the Gulf

2010-05-15T11:19:00.000-05:00

See how the oil spill grows in the Gulf of Mexico - USATODAY.com
The Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded on April 20 and has been spilling at least 210,000 gallons a day since then. Efforts to stop it haven't worked so far. This page from USA shows where the oil is and how it's spreading

For more information, try:
NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)

Atlantis Is On Its Final Mission

2010-05-14T20:43:00.003-05:00

FOXNews.com - Space Shuttle Atlantis Blasts Off on Final Mission
Only two missions are left before NASA retires the shuttle fleet. This 12-day mission is the last flight for Atlantis.

Spring Begins March 20 at 12:32 pm CDT!

2010-03-18T11:00:00.002-05:00

The March Equinox Explained
Spring will officially begin at 12:32 pm, Saturday March 20. This website explains it all, and a lot more about calendars, dates, and time. Check it out!

Astronauts Return from Space Station

2010-03-18T09:14:00.002-05:00

SPACE.com -- Space Station Astronauts Make Frigid Landing in Soyuz Spacecraft
Two astronauts, an American and a Russian, returned to Earth in a Russian Soyuz spacecraft. They landed in deep snow in Russia in high winds. There are three astronauts left in the space station now. Three more will join them in April.

The Night Sky, March 12-20

2010-03-17T10:44:00.002-05:00

SkyandTelescope.com - This Week's Sky at a Glance

Watch for Venus, the bright "star" in the west, just after sunset.
March 20, the moon will be right next to the Pleiades.
March 20: Spring begins at the Spring Equinox, 12:32 Central Daylight Time.

What the Appendix Is Good For

2010-03-17T10:24:00.003-05:00

FOR KIDS: What The Appendix Is Good For - Science News
The appendix is a small organ that's connected to the large intestine. Lots of people have it removed when it gets infected, and never miss it. So what's it there for? Here's an answer.

Mars Express Photographed Mars' Largest Moon, Phobos

2010-03-17T09:53:00.003-05:00

FOXNews.com - Closest Ever View of Martian Moon - Slide 1 of 18

Phobos is Mars' largest moon. Mars' moons are quite different from Earth's. They're much smaller, and not quite as round. They've been described as looking like a potato! Check out the photos in this slide show.

Huge Earthquake in Chile

2010-02-27T07:52:00.002-06:00

Chile was hit by a tremendous earthquake Saturday morning - magnitude 8.8! Read about it here.

Ecoregions in Biomes

2010-02-03T11:42:00.002-06:00

National Geographic Wild World (Online Conservation Atlas)
If you want to explore all the ecological areas within the biomes of the world, this is the place. The National Geographic Society and World Wildlife Fund have teamed up to describe all the eco-regions of the world. You can spend hours clicking and traveling by the web all over the world. What eco-region do you live in?

Climate Change Can Be Good for Some Species!

2010-02-03T11:14:00.001-06:00

FOR KIDS: A Global Warming Flap - Science News
If you're a butterfly, at least if you're a small heath or a common blue butterfly in Europe, you hope the climate really IS warming up. Over the last 30 years, the average temperature in central Europe is up 1.5 degrees. That's not much, but it makes for a longer breeding season for these butterflies. That's good for them!

New Moon and Meteors Coming Up!

2009-12-11T17:10:00.001-06:00

SkyandTelescope.com - This Week's Sky at a Glance - This Week's Sky at a Glance

The Geminid Meteor Shower should peak late Sunday night. Watch toward the east after 9:00 pm. It's always best to get away from city lights, if you can.

The Night Sky this Week (11/27-12/5)

2009-11-28T08:21:00.001-06:00

SkyandTelescope.com - This Week's Sky at a Glance - This Week's Sky at a Glance

While you're watching the moon grow full this week, see if you can find some of these planets and stars.

LCROSS & Centaur Rocket Separation

2009-10-08T19:56:00.004-05:00

The LCROSS satellite and Centaur rocket will separate at 8:40 pm CDT. You can watch a live video of the event from this link.

NASA Satellite Will Crash on the Moon!

2009-10-08T19:22:00.003-05:00

The LCROSS satellite (Lunar CRater Observation and Sensing Satellite) will crash into the moon Friday morning at 6:31 Central Time. The mission is to determine the amount of water ice in the soil at the south pole of the moon. Here's how:

The LCROSS satellite is attached to the second stage rocket that launched it. Both are on a path that will crash them into the moon. The rocket will separate from the satellite and crash, sending rock and soil upward. Any water ice in the soil will vaporize into H ions and OH ions. These will be detected by the satellite before it crashes 4 minutes later.

You can watch the impact on NASA TV on the internet.

Quakes and Tsunamis have plagued Pacific Islands

2009-10-08T07:18:00.001-05:00

In the last two months, people living in the South Pacific have suffered strong earthquakes, tsunamis, and the threat of tsunamis. Just yesterday (October 7) a 7.7 magnitude earthquake hit Vanuatu, followed by on of 7.3 magnitude.

Discovery Heads to the Space Station!

2009-08-29T06:57:00.002-05:00

After two delays this week, space shuttle Discovery is off on a 13-day mission to the International Space Station. Weather and mechanical problems postponed the launch this week.

New Photos Show Apollo 11 Landing Site!

2009-07-17T22:43:00.003-05:00

Apollo 11 launched 40 years ago yesterday, July 16. Here are pictures of the lunar landing site taken by the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. Read this article from Space.com.

Apollo 11 Launched!

2009-07-16T18:00:00.002-05:00

Apollo 11, the first mission to land men on the moon, launched 40 years ago today.
This photo gallery at Space.com looks back at the historic mission to the moon.

Try these videos:
Apollo 11 Overview
The Big Event

Man on the Moon - 40 Years Later

2009-07-15T22:00:00.003-05:00

Relive each Apollo mission with video, photos and a unique animated comic. The Apollo 11 mission feature will be released on July 16, 2009.

This Week's Sky

2009-07-15T22:00:00.000-05:00

During dawn Saturday and Sunday, the Pleiades, Mars, Aldebaran, and dazzling Venus form a mirror-reversed letter "L" in the east during early dawn, as shown at right. And the waning crescent Moon comes passing through.

Science This Summer!

2009-06-24T14:15:00.002-05:00

Get a little dose of science this summer by checking this blog regularly.