So many local Project ASTRO and Family ASTRO events happened this Spring. Many thanks to those of you who hosted events on behalf of your students (and their families), Project ASTRO and Family

ASTRO. Several of you have shared your fun-filled, astronomical experiences here. A prime example made the local newspaper http://www.dailystar.com/dailystar/northwest/16156.php.

Anna Warmbrand, Matthew Hough, and Joan Regens , third grade teachers at Esperenza, with their astronomer partner, Kerri Donaldson Hanna and Irene Gonzales-Hernandez, on January 21, 2004, had rotating sets of astronomy activities, one of which was the Earth as a Peppercorn or the Thousand Yard Model.

Agnes Aquayo, 4th and 5th grade teacher at Joe Carlson, and her astronomer partner, Frank Zizza, on January 23 had their students make comets and hear an inspiring talk by astronomer partner and comet discoverer, Doug Snyder.

Project ASTRO astronomer partner, David Garza assisted Elizabeth Guevara’s team of five students to win the Arizona Regional Science Bowl. This was an academic and hydrogen fuel cell car race that they competed in at the University of Arizona. They will represent Arizona in the national competition in June in Golden, Colorado. David was instrumental in helping the students with the hydrogen fuel cell car and assisting with preparing the students academically. He also helped several students with their science fair projects, who won 2nd place at Southern Arizona Regional Science and Engineering Fair in March and one of the students was nominated for the Discovery Challenge Award. The Project ASTRO collaboration between David and Ms. Guevara has benefited Doolen Middle School greatly.

Karen Brady, 6th grade teacher at St. Joseph’s, and her astronomer partner, Chuck Dugan, had a day at the Challenger Experience on March 24 as well as a star party and an Astronomy Day later in the Spring!

Terry Kennedy, Dianna Hill, Trisha Miller and Lorelei Barrett, 6th grade teachers at Twin Peaks, and their astronomer partners, Chuck Dugan and Tom Rolfsmeyer, hosted a star party for 200 students and their family members on March 24. A dozen members from the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association brought 8 telescopes, in addition to other long-time Project ASTRO astronomers, such as Larry Behers. There was a binocular station, a planisphere station, an Astronomy Treasure Hunt, a prize drawing, Astronomy handouts, and a movie. In preparation for this capstone event, the astronomer partners helped students observe sunspots through telescopes and taught them about the phases of the moon, the Spirit and Opportunity rovers on Mars, and constellations and their orientation in the sky. The extremely successful event made the Arizona Daily Star.

Family ASTRO event leader, Michelle Higgins, and her co-Girl Scout troop leader, Harriet Matiatos, held a star party for their troop and family members on April 16 as a fun-filled finale for the Night Sky Adventure kit. Project ASTRO astronomer, Chris Walker, talked to the Girl Scouts about night vision. On April 19, Family ASTRO event leader, Lolita Levine, also held a similar Family ASTRO event and star party for the families of her students from Pueblo High School.

On April 26, Marta Spears, a Project AND Family ASTRO 7th grade teacher at Amphi Middle School, and her astronomer partner, Robert Reynolds, conducted a Family ASTRO” event with activities from the Night Sky Adventure kit and a star party. Long-time Project ASTRO astronomer, Paul Olson, was among the many volunteers that helped out. An additional star party at one of the University of Arizona Steward

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NOAO is operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA), Inc. under cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation.

Project ASTRO - Tucson Coalition Organizations

Flandrau Science CenterKitt Peak National ObservatoryLunar & Planetary LaboratoryMt. Graham Discovery Park

NOAOPima College

Steward ObservatoryWhipple Observatory

Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association

Tucson Unified School DistrictUS Gemini Program

ASTROGRAMProject ASTRO - Tucson Issue 20 May 2004

Astronomers and Teachers as Partners for Learning

Inside This Issue

Project/Family ASTRO .... 1Jacoby Award ................. 2What’s Happening ........... 3Teacher Activity ............... 4Family ASTRO Application5PA Teacher Application... 6PA Astronomer Application 7High Impact Event ........... 8Astronomy Day................ 8Summer Kids Events ...... 8Special Insert-Fall Workshop Flyer

PROJECT AND FAMILY ASTRO AT WORK

1Continued on page 2

H I G H I M P A C T E V E N T

Connie Walker received a surprise honor during February’s Project ASTRO workshop. Workshop presenter, David Levy, and his guest, Carolyn Shoemaker, revealed that they

have named an asteroid after Connie. Discovered on May 24, 1993, at Palomar Observatory, asteroid 1993 KZ1 has been renamed 29292 Conniewalker. The official citation reads, “Although she has studied star formation in galaxies of different ages, she is best known for her contribution to the education of young people in astronomy throughout southern Arizona. Walker’s insights into how children can be motivated to enjoy the stars has led to the great success of Project ASTRO-Tucson.”

Asteroid 29292 Conniewalker is not just any old Main Belt asteroid. It belongs to the Phocaea group with a very high inclination of about 25.6 degrees. They are considered especially interesting because their motion stands out against the background stars. The asteroid has a magnitude of 13.0 which makes it about 7 km in diameter. Impact scientists worry about 1 km objects as being locally very hazardous and capable of making changes to our climate. The size of 29292 were it to impact anywhere on Earth indicates that it could cause an extinction of

life! But still, Conniewalker is reasonably well-behaved and the chances of impact are slim. The asteroid’s orbit can be found on the Minor Planet Center’s web site -- http://www.astro.com/swisseph/astlist.htm, http://cfa-www.harvard.edu/iau/lists/MPNames.html

ASTRONOMY DAY -- KITT PEAK

The celebration of Astronomy Day at Kitt Peak drew heavily on Family ASTRO activities. Planet Bottles, Worlds in Comparison, Moon Jump, and Moon Mission were among the activities available to visitors on April 24. Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association members

participated in solar viewing on the patio. Visitors had the added option of making their own solar video at the 16-in telescope. In between activities, guests enjoyed two presentations by David Levy, one on the Transit of Venus and the other on the Lyrid Meteor Shower.

SUMMER EVENTS FOR KIDS

The staff of Project and Family ASTRO are leading two week-long astronomy day camps at the University of Arizona’s Arizona Youth University (AYU). From June 7 – 11, the camp will be geared toward middle school students. From June 14 – 18, the

camp will focus on high school students. Family and Project ASTRO activities will highlight the camp’s events. The camp concludes with a trip to Kitt Peak for participation in the Nightly Observing Program. For further information, visit the AYU’s web site athttp://www.eu.arizona.edu/child/summer_camps.html.

- Looking for teachers to participate in the 2004-2005 Project ASTRO Program -- Application inside!

2 7

6. What grade levels do you prefer (circle all that apply)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 (it doesn’t matter)

7. We will make every effor to place you in a school that is con-venient to you. List possible areas where you would prefer to volunteer.

8. How fare are you willing to travel to your partner school?

9. How did you hear about Project ASTRO?

10. If through a Project ASTRO partner, please give name.

Your signature

Date

�ASTRONOMER APPLICATION�

Name

Home Address

City State Zip

Home Phone ( )

Employer

Position

1. Briefly describe your background and experiences in astronomy.

2. Describe any experiences you have working with schools or explaining astronomy to students or the public:

3. Describe any other experience working with children:

4. List astronomy organizations you are affiliated with:

5. In what ways do you see yourself contributing to student learning and enjoyment of astronomy at a local school?

(please print)

Work Address

City State Zip

Number of years with this employer

Work Phone ( ) Fax ( )

E-mail

Teams of two astronomers from the same group or institution are encouraged to apply. List the name of your partner.

ASTRONOMER BACKGROUND

PERSONAL INFORMATION

� Suzanne H. Jacoby Award � Candidate Nomination

You’re invited to submit whom you think would be the best candidate to receive this award based on their demon-strated committment, performance, and enthusiam to the Project ASTRO-Tucson program.

Candidate Name ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Please write a description of why you feel this candidate should receive the award - be specific!

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Your Name ____________________________________ Phone Number _________________________E-mail Address__________________________________

u D u e J u n e 1 5 , 2 0 0 4 tReturn completed form to: Connie Walker NOAO 950 N. Cherry Ave. Tucson, AZ 85719

Suzanne H. Jacoby Award for Excellence

PAST RECIPIENTS - Larry Behers (A)Paul Olson (A)

Alta Garcia Carrillio (T)Robert Crawford (A)

Ed Finney (A)

Observatory telescopes took place on May 7. Again Project ASTRO astronomer partner, Robert Reynolds and teachers and students from Amphi Middle School as well as Project ASTRO teacher, Suzanne Smith and teachers and students from the Arizona School for the Deaf and Blind, were in attendance.

An extraordinary Family ASTRO situation involves a community of home-schooled families involved with Family ASTRO. Their Family ASTRO events led to a capstone trip to Flandrau Planetarium and Science Center on April 30. Rebecca Swegle from the Arizona Virtual Academy led this effort.

Project ASTRO and Family ASTRO at Work Continued from page 1

Nominations are being taken for contributions made over and above the call to duty by Project ASTRO partners or Family ASTRO event leaders, contributions that in turn had major positive effects on children and their families. This award will be the third in as many years. The award last year was given to Project ASTRO teacher, Alta Gracia Carrillo, and her two astronomer partners, Robert Crawford and Ed Finney, for their unique accomplishments at Wakefield Middle School via Project ASTRO. Her Project ASTRO partners met for two hours a class over 9 visits in January and February 2003, to prepare the children for the science fair using Project ASTRO activities as a basis for many science projects. Please send your nomination for this year’s candidates to Connie at NOAO, 950 N. Cherry Ave., Tucson, AZ 85719 or e-mail Connie at cwalker@noao.edu. Include the Project or Family ASTRO participant’s name and a less than 500 word essay on why this person should be nominated and what contributions toward the program and students the candidate has made.

October 27, 2004 Total Lunar Eclipse - Join Project ASTRO and David Levy on Kitt Peak for a spectacular evening - Reservations Required! Contact Connie Walker at 318-8353.

3

News From Around Project ASTRO . . .

Questions??Contact the Staff of

Project ASTRO-Tuscon

Connie Walker Director

520 318-8535Kathie Coil

Program Coordinator520 318-8230

Steve PompeaScience Education

Manager

www.noao.edu/outreach520 318-8451 fax

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Administrator support leads to more successful partnerships. Please have the appropriate administrator certify support for your participation in Project ASTRO by completing and sign-ing.

I support the the participation of in Project ASTRO. (print teacher name)

This support includes a day off for the workshop, planning time and allowing visits to the school by the volunteer astronomer.

Name

Home Address

City State Zip

Home Phone ( )

School or Organization

District

Work Address

City State Zip

Work County

Work Phone ( ) Fax ( )

E-mail

Grade

Subject

Number of years teaching experience

ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT

TEACHER BACKGROUND

1. Describe your formal education.

2. Rate your knowledge of astronomy (1=low, 5 = high)

1 2 3 4 5

3. Describe professional activities, curriculum development, inser-vice activities, collaborative projects, experience with volunteers, etc.

4. Why do you want to participate in Project ASTRO?

5. How will you include astronomy in your program in this year?

6. How many classes and students would the astronomer visit? (we encourage focusing on no more than 2)

7. Do you have time to plan with your astronomer by phone, and before or after class?

8. Describe how you will incorporate the visiting astronomer into your program.

9. How did you hear about Project ASTRO?

10. If through a Project ASTRO partner, please give name.

Your Signature

Date

Principal or Administrator’s Signature:

Name

Title

Date Phone ( )

Address

City Zip

PERSONAL INFORMATION

�TEACHER APPLICATION�

Update for Family ASTROOn January 22, Tucson staff held a Family ASTRO event leader training workshop as the last in a cadre of four thematic workshops for the 2003-2004 academic year. Event leaders from the Sahuaro Girl Scouts as well as teachers from the local school districts participated in being trained on the newest Astronomical Society of the Pacifi c Family ASTRO kit called Cosmic Decoder. The Cosmic Decoder kit provides a fun way for families to learn about light, color and fi lters as well as how to send messages to and receive messages from space aliens.

ASTRO-Chile UpdateAfter a couple of months of curriculum planning and testing, the ASTRO-Chile team from Tucson held a videoconference with their Chilean counterparts on April 6 to report student results from a new 4th-12th grade light pollution study of the night sky toward Orion. The curriculum aligns with the efforts of our Chilean counterparts in the program and was designed to provide a similar platform for a cross-cultural exchange. The Tucson team has expanded beyond the city limits to include families from across Arizona who are part of the Arizona Virtual Academy and Family ASTRO-Tucson and also families from the Tohono O’Odham Indian Nation who are partners in both Family and Project ASTRO-Tucson. The team includes Thea Canizo, Aida Flores-Castillo, and Glenn Furnier from the Tuscon Unifi ed School District, Liz Alvarez formerly of the International Dark-Sky Association, Ron Probst, Pat Knezek, Doug Isbell, Steve Pompea and Connie Walker of NOAO, Barry Boczar of Baboquivari-Indian Oasis School District, and Rebecca Swegle of the Arizona Virtual Academy. Plans are being made to input the data collected onto the international light pollution monitoring web site hosted by Austria. Any teacher in the U.S.A. interested in joining our light pollution study efforts may contact Connie Walker via e-mail (cwalker@noao.edu) or phone(520-318-8535).

During the week of April 12, three NOAO staff members and ASTRO-Chile team members visited their counterparts at the Cerro Tololo International Observatory in La Serena, Chile. Highlights of the trip included visits to a few of the ASTRO-Chile classroom to meet the students and teachers, as well as visits to the local public observatory, built in great part by the community. Many of the classrooms make extensive use activities from the Spanish version of the Universe at Your Fingertips book. Future plans may include more Spanish UAYF books, an exchange of tested activities developed by the teachers, building up libraries and materials for hands-on activities, student to

student videoconference, hosting an exchange of teachers and workshops for both groups in Tucson.

The Project/Family ASTRO Spring ‘04 WorkshopOn February 28, skies cleared for what became a memorable evening at Jarnac Observatory, as NOAO PAEO staff and David and Wendee Levy hosted together their 3rd Project and Family ASTRO-Tucson spring workshop and star party. The theme was on the Sun, with the appropriate hands-on activities, solar observing, an unforgettable talk by David on the Antarctic solar eclipse, a surprise visit by Carolyn Shoemaker, co-discoverer of the famous comet SL9, and an even more surprising announcement of the naming of an asteroid after the ASTRO Director, Connie Walker. Astronomy resource people from Flandrau, the Astronomical Society of the Pacifi c, the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association, Kitt Peak, International Dark-sky Association, Coronado Instruments and Starizona made participants richer with an abundance of information and giveaways.

ASTRO at the Tucson Fun FestOn March 17, 18 and 19, NOAO participated for the fi rst time in the Tucson Math, Science and Technology Fun Fest. The theme for NOAO’s exhibitor’s booth was “Sun Fest at the Fun Fest”. Highlights included Star Lab portable planetarium shows for kids, parents and teachers, a half dozen hands-on activities from Project and Family ASTRO on the Sun, Moon, planets and constellations, making Sun clocks, a continual showing of DVD movies on the Sun, astronomers from NOAO on hand to answer kids’ questions, and observing with solar telescopes courtesy of Coronado Instruments and the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association. An average of 2400 participants attended the Fun Fest each day for three days. At least 240 came each day to the NOAO booth. It was quoted by one anonymous youngster as being the best of the 74 booths at the festival.

student videoconference, hosting an exchange of teachers and workshops for both groups in Tucson.

4

No person has ever been close enough to a black hole to actually fall into one, but if a person ever got close enough, their body would stretch out as they were pulled into the black hole. In this activity you will make a spaghettifi cation fl ip book that will demonstrate how the strong gravitational pull of a black hole would stretch any astronaut unlucky enough to encounter one in space. Spaghettifi cation is the stretching of objects that fall into a black hole. It is called spaghettifi cation because small objects will grow long and stringy like spaghetti as they are pulled into the black hole.

Gravity is what causes spaghettifi cation. The force of gravity depends on three things, the mass of one object, the mass of another object and the distance between them. The closer the two objects are the stronger the force of gravity. So if this imaginary astronaut is falling feet fi rst towards a black hole, his feet are closer to the center of the black hole than his head. The force of gravity is therefore stronger on his feet than on his head. The difference in pull creates what is called a tidal force. This makes the astronaut (or anything else that gets too close) stretch out long and thin. The tides on Earth are caused by the tidal forces created by the Moon.

Materials • A pair of scissors (If you

need help with scissors, ask a teacher of caregiver.)

• A stapler and staples • Spaghettifi cation Flip Book

picture page to the right • Colored Pencils • Ruler

Instructions • Print out this page with the

pictures of the astronaut• Color the astronaut pictures. • Carefully cut out the 8

images of the astronaut. • Put the images in a stack,

with #1 on top, then #2, then #3, and so on...

• Staple the pictures together using the small lines in picture #1 as a guide.

• Flip sheets from back to

front.

Spagettification Gravity Activity

For More Fun Games and ActivitiesContact the

Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum

http://www.adlerplanetarium.org/education/activities/make-and-do/spaghettifi cation.shtml

5

Family ASTRO is fun-fi lled program on astronomy education that is highly adaptable to a variety of family-oriented audiences (e.g., for afterschool programs, Girl and Boy Scout events, home-schooled events, museums, libraries, science centers, star parties) and has

materials in Spanish. A person associated with these types of environments is welcomed to apply to become an event leader. There are four annual Family ASTRO workshops to train event leaders. Each workshop will focus on a different theme listed on the application above. (The workshops are for 4 to 5 hours on Thursday evenings and include dinner.) This form can also be downloaded from

http://www.noao.edu/education/family_astro/fa_application.pdf. Fun for the Entire Family!!

Looking For Family ASTRO Teachers . . .

Name Title (Mr., Mrs., Ms., Dr.)

School Grade

Preferred Email Address

School Address (same as mailing address? �Yes �No): District

Street City Zip

School Phone Number

Mailing Address (if different from School Address):

Street City Zip

Phone Number (if different from above)

All workshops will be conducted at the Desert View High School library. The hours will be 4:30pm until 9pm with supper included. Desert View High School�s address is at 4101 E. Valencia Rd in Sunnyside School District No. 12. The phone number there is (520) 545-5100.

For which Workshop Dates or Kits would you like to sign up?

DATE KIT NAME

� September 30, 2004 Night Sky Adventure � October 07, 2004 Moon Mission � October 28, 2004 Race to the Planets � November 04, 2004 Cosmic Decoder

Please fax the completed form to 520-318-8451 or send it to: Robert Wilson, Family ASTRO Site Coordinator NOAO950 N. Cherry Ave. Tucson, AZ 85719

For more information, contact Connie Walker at 520-318-8535 or cwalker@noao.edu or Robert Wilson at 520-318-8440 or rwilson@noao.edu.

FFaammiillyy AASSTTRROO -- TTuuccssoonn 22000044--22000055AApppplliiccaattiioonn FFoorrmm

Administrator Support

I support the participation of in Family ASTRO.

This support includes planning time for a couple of Family ASTRO events and permission for a place and time to hold these events after hours.

Principal or Administrator�s Signature

Printed Name Title

Address City Zip

Phone Number Date