360° Io moon animation. For more information see: http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/multimedia/

The longest geological cycle identified is described as about 600 million years in "Megacycles", the proceedings of a geological conference, Edited by G Williams. However Prof. S. Afanasiev of Moscow has determined the cycle very accurately to be 586.24 million years using his Nanocycles Method. It so happens that cosmologists, Broadhurst, T.J., Ellis, R.S., Koo, D.C. & Szalay (Nature 343, p 726) have observed regular mega-walls of galaxies at spacings that they describe as 128 Mpc/h, which based on the latest Hubble constant values would correspond to 588 million light years. Some cosmologists have suggested that the regularity might result from standing waves. Standing waves in space of wavelength 586 million light years would oscillate in 586 million years. In addition, if there are present harmonics of these waves as both the geological cycles and the additional peaks in the galaxy survey indicate, then powerfully energetic events would recur on Earth at these intervals. This agreement on the wave sizes actually allows a much more accurate Hubble constant to be determined from Afanasiev's accurate cycle period.

Early in 2008, an Ariane 5 rocket blasted off from Europe’s spaceport in French Guiana. The rocked carried the most sophisticated lorry ever built – the European Space Agency’s Automated Transfer Vehicle, the ATV. From its first flight, ATV will play a vital role in International Space Station (ISS) servicing. Every 12 months or so, the ATV will haul 7.5 tonnes of cargo to the ISS, 400 km above the Earth. The video - addressed mostly to the youngsters- tells the story of a very special delivery and provides information about the ATV, its highly technological features and its importance for the ISS. For further information and exercises please visit our Education ESA website http://www.esa.int/esaHS/education.htmlhttp://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Space_In_Bytes/index.html

The information presented in each ActionBioscience.org article has been correlated to the U.S. National Science Education Standards (NSES). Articles may be listed below in more than one category of the standards and educators may determine other curricular applications for the articles.

JPL engineers built a futuristic robot that may one day go to the moon. For more information see: http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/videos/technology/athlete-20070806/

This lesson builds upon the previous two (Newton's Second Law and the First Law of Thermodynamics) by explaining that conservation of energy is not perfectly observed, in that energy is lost as it is transferred from kinetic to potential, and vice-versa.

The purpose of this resource is to measure the bulk density of each horizon in a soil profile. In the field, students collect three soil samples from each horizon in a soil profile using a container with a measured volume. In the classroom, students weigh the samples, dry them, and weigh them again to determine their dry mass and water content. Students then sieve the dry soil samples and measure the mass and volume of any rocks and material with dimensions greater than 2 mm. Students use the Bulk Density Data Sheet to calculate the soil bulk density for each sample.

This easy but effective lesson uses NASA CERES satellite percent coverage surface data along with a world map and asks students to locate landmasses and bodies of water at Earth's Equator. Students will map locations using latitude and longitude coordinates.

The purpose of this activity is to explore the connections between cloud type, cloud cover, and weather and stimulate student interest in taking cloud type observations. Students observe cloud type and coverage and weather conditions over a five-day period and correlate these observations. Students make and test predictions using these observations. The intended outcome is that students learn to draw inferences from observations and use them to make and test predictions.

This lesson uses NASA satellite data to contrast amounts of cloud coverage over different climate regions in Africa. An an outcome of the lesson, the student will be able to explain how Earth's major air circulations affect global weather patterns.

Learn how forces and simple machines can work together to create The Compound Machine! Edheads helps students learn through educational games and activities designed to meet state and national standards. Teacher guides, lesson plans and classroom handouts available.

NASA's Dawn mission is getting ready to launch on an unprecedented tour of two residents of the asteroid belt. This mission will be the first to orbit two different bodies in our solar system. For more information see: http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/videos/dawn/dawn20070626/

Space debris - large and small - is constantly slamming into Earth.

What will happen to Planet Earth in a few billion years?

The purpose of this lesson is to use CERES radiation data to understand seasonal variations in the pattern of net energy input to the Earth system. The students will begin to understand how Earth's tilt causes seasonal differences in incoming solar energy.

Fifty years after Sputnik, satellites peering down on Earth have become valuable scientific tools to study the global environment and offer much needed insight into the future of our planet.

This lesson introduces students to the concept of ecological footprint, the overall impact of an individual on the environment. Topics include how ecological footprints are calculated, how individual footprints translate to entire nations or to the Earth.

Elementary GLOBE is designed to introduce students of grades K-4 to the study of Earth System Science (ESS). Elementary GLOBE forms an instructional unit comprised of five modules that address ESS and interrelated subjects including weather, hydrology, phenology, and soils. Each Elementary GLOBE module contains a science-based storybook and classroom learning activities. Five (5) books are included in the series: All About Earth; Do You Know That Clouds Have Names?; The Scoop On Soils; Discoveries at Willow Creek; and The Mystery of the Missing Hummingbirds. An Elementary GLOBE Teacher's Implementation Guide is available and includes tips for using the Elementary GLOBE materials with students, information about inquiry and literacy, and connections to science, mathematics, and geography standards. The Books and the Teacher's Guide are available in English, French and Spanish.

Each student will keep a science journal during each of the four seasons. Students will record observations of the general outdoor environment they visit and then will make observations of one specific item from the habitat in each season. At the end of the school year, students will make comparisons of their seasonal drawings and share the results with the class. The purpose of the activity is to introduce students to the concept of using a science journal to record information, to have students use science tools to make scientific observations and to make observational drawings in nature and compare the results throughout the seasons. After completing this activity, students will know about seasonal changes in a particular habitat. They will learn how to make detailed observations, record their results, make comparisons, and share information using a standard format.