How to Create a Spectroscope
A cereal box spectroscope with artistic touches applied (Photo A) Side view Viewing window (Photo B) Viewing window with color spectrum (Photo D) Light slit (Photo C) Rainbows fascinate all of us! Scientists were more deeply inspired by the rainbow in a quest to understand the nature of color and light and the relationship of the two. In order to better understand light we must also understand energy. That leads us to this month's AstroCrafts project Spectroscopy. This activity is probably more project than art and crafts, but you can add some artistic touches to your spectroscope like I did...
How to Build a Paper Model of the New Horizons Spacecraft and Janet's Planet Dear Pluto Letter Campaign
Paper Model of New Horizons Spacecraft In this month's AstroCrafts blog it's all about Pluto. I will be sharing how to build a small paper model of the New Horizons spacecraft for older children and Janet's Planet Dear Pluto Letter campaign for younger children (really all ages!) two very creative, exciting and educational projects! About the New Horizons Mission We're almost there! The whole world is waiting in great anticipation for the historical New Horizons spacecraft Pluto flyby on July 14th this year. Think about it all this is going to take place 3 billion miles away from Earth. On...
Bring Back the Night Sky
Create a Night Sky Diorama Diorama by Kathleen Horner In this AstroCrafts project you will learn how to build a diorama (outdoor scene) depicting the beauty of the rich, dark night sky when low level outdoor lighting is utilized. With Earth Day on April 22 and Astronomers Without Borders' Global Awareness Month coinciding in the month of April, the AstroCrafts hands on experience will be a perfect fit in teaching the participants about the harmful effects of light pollution and what we can do to bring about awareness and change for our planet and ourselves. I strongly recommend that you...
Space Sun Catchers and Ornaments
Digital Photography Art Design by Kathleen Horner © 2012 "Stonehenge Dawn" Northern Hemisphere Winter "The Shortest Day" “And so the Shortest Day came and the year died
And everywhere down the centuries of the snow-white world
Came people singing, dancing,
To drive the dark away.
They lighted candles in the winter trees;
They hung their homes with evergreen;
They burned beseeching fires all night long
To keep the year alive.
And when the new year's sunshine blazed awake
They shouted, revelling.
Through all the frosty ages you can hear them
Echoing behind us - listen!
All the long echoes,...
The Solar System - by Kathleen Horner
Photo by Kathleen Horner Our Solar System To be or not to be, that is the question concerning the number of planets in our Solar System. Pluto has taken a beating over the years as it was once considered a planet until the International Astronomical Union came up with a new classification of what defines a 'planet'. The IAU in 2006 re-classified Pluto as a dwarf planet and now today among much controversy has been voted back into planet status by an unofficial vote just recently. But that doesn't mean everyone agrees on this decision and its just a vote...
