Hubble's Top Ten Discoveries

A collection of Hubble Space Telescope images shows distant supernovas, the death explosions of massive stars. The top photos show each region before the explosion. The bottom row shows the explosions' aftermaths

According to NASA, "Hubble played a key role in discovering that a mysterious form of energy called dark energy is acting like a cosmic gas pedal, accelerating the universe's expansion rate. Dark energy shoves galaxies away from each other at ever-increasing speeds and works in opposition to gravity." Hubble's observations of supernovas helped reveal that the mysterious energy is a constant presence in the universe.

Click here to see the photos. Be sure to click BELOW the pictures.

The Sun Rips Off a Comet's Tail - Week 5

What happens when a magnetic storm passes through a comet? Check out this site and watch the animation.

The Earth Impact Database - Week 4

The Earth Impact Database

Cool site to check! Have fun, earthlings! Just click on the "earth impact database" link on the right side of the web page and then click on North America.

The Earth Impact Database comprises a list of confirmed impact structures from around the world. The database was conceived in its earliest form when a systematic search for impact craters was initiated in 1955 by the Dominion Observatory, Ottawa, under the direction of Dr. Carlyle S. Beals .

Click here to visit site.

Phases of the Moon

Why do you suppose the moon appears to rock back and forth when it is going through its phases?
Click here to view the moon throughout the monthly cycle.

Describe what the moon looked like on the day you were born. Click here to set the year, month and day to find out.

Google Earth Flight Simulator tips

The big news over the weekend was the easter egg Google planted in the Google Earth 4.2 beta: a flight simulator mode (more details here). Here are a few flight simulator tips to make your flying better:

Earth Science - week 1

Hello All!

Welcome to Earth Science at Franklin Academy! Here is a list of a few things you'll need every day.
1) A three ring binder (1" will do nicely). It should contain the following:
a. your packet, b. ESRT, and c. loose paper.
Something to write with, a calculator, and a few colored pencils.
Your wits and enthusiasm!

Remember to steer clear a few things:
1) Don't miss more than 20 classes or it may be another year in Earth Science.
2) If you miss handing in your lab, on the due date, the following kicks in immediately:

a. hand it in before 2:27 and it has only lost 5 points.
b. hand it in the next day and you have only lost 10 point. EEEk!
c. hand it in two days late and its not looking good . . . you have lost 20 points. UUmm, time to get going.
d. hand it in on day 3, of the due date, and you are now only able to score a maximum of 70 points and you have lost 30 points. Oh dear! It is at this point where we will have a little chat
and arrange for time, during 9th period, to complete the lab.
e. keep in mind that I will be there to remind you and will give you a 48 hour advance notice as to when you will be stopping by to complete the lab.

Good luck! I know you can do this.

Distant space collision meant doom for dinasours

"WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A collision 160 million years ago of two asteroids orbiting between Mars and Jupiter sent many big rock chunks hurtling toward Earth, including the one that zapped the dinosaurs, scientists said on Wednesday."

Read the story here.