Ever wondered what’s out there in the cosmos? Let’s explore the universe together! Other than the planet we currently live on, countless mysteries and wonders beyond our eyes have fascinated humans for centuries. From the unique planet structures to the twinkling stars, there is always something new waiting to be discovered. 

 

Mind Blowing Facts About Planets:

Earth:

We all love Earth as we are currently inhabited on it. It is also the only known planet that supports life. Its abundant water and diverse ecosystems make it a perfect home for animals, plants, and humans. Earth is often called the “blue planet” because it holds 71% of water in its atmosphere. 

 

Mars: 

Mars is often referred to as the “Red Planet.” There is a lot of evidence that suggests that Mars once had water, leading to the possibility that it could have supported life. As a result, NASA’s rovers continue to explore its surface hoping to discover new forms of life. Fun fact: Mars is home to the tallest volcano in the solar system, Olympus Mons, which is three times the height of Mount Everest!
 

Jupiter:
is like the giant of our solar system. It’s so large that it could fit almost 1,300 Earths inside it! One of its most fascinating features is the Great Red Spot. It is a massive storm that has been forming for centuries. Jupiter also has at least 79 moons which is crazy to think about. We only have one!

 

Mysteries of stars and black holes:

Stars: 

Stars are probably one of the most fascinating things in the universe. Stars are born in large clouds of gas called nebulae. Our Sun is a medium-sized star that provides the energy needed for life on Earth. Stars go through a life cycle similar to ours, from birth to death, but, sometimes it ends in spectacular explosions called supernovae. Did you know that a supernova can shine as brightly as an entire galaxy?    

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Black Holes:

Black hopes are super interesting! They are formed when massive stars collapse under their own gravity. They have such a strong gravitational pull that nothing can escape once it gets too close. That is why astronauts have to be very careful when going to space otherwise the black hole can suck up their spaceship. The edge of a black hole is called the event horizon. Scientists are still trying to understand what happens inside a black hole, making it one of the most mysterious phenomena in space. It is one of the hardest environments to capture any data or evidence. 

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Constellations:

Constellations like to tell a story; they are a part of history. They are a group of stars that form recognizable shapes, almost like connecting the dots. These stars have been used for navigation such as the North Star and storytelling for thousands of years. Astronomers find them fascinating as each star bunches together to create beautiful shapes. The most famous constellation is Orion; it is easy to spot in the night sky due to its bright stars and distinctive 3 three stars in a row. Another way they can be used is to identify horoscope signs such as Capricorn or Leo. These may be harder to find but I recommend using the app called Skyview to find constellations. 

 

Life in Outer Space:

Training:

Being an astronaut is probably one of the most challenging and exciting jobs in the world. Every day is a rollercoaster as it is very risky going into space. I mean you physically leave planet Earth and are floating in another dimension that you have no idea what is out there. 

 

Daily Life: 

Life in the International Space Station (ISS) is unique. Astronauts have to sleep in special sleeping bags attached to the walls to prevent them from floating around. They eat pre-packaged meals and exercise for about two hours a day to keep their muscles and bones strong. Fun fact: Astronauts on the ISS experience 16 sunrises and sunsets every day because the station orbits Earth every 90 minutes!
 

Space Missions: 

Many famous space missions were able to make incredible discoveries. The most famous is Apollo 11. It was the first mission to land humans on the Moon. Crazy right? Neil Armstrong, a familiar name, was the first to take a step on the moon. Many Mars rovers such as Curiosity and Perseverance continue to explore the Red Planet, searching for signs of past life and preparing for future missions like Apollo 11. 

 

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Fun Experiments and Activities:

DIY Solar System Model: 

After reading these interesting facts about space, you probably want to try it out for yourself. Let’s start by making your own solar system! Using balls of different sizes (ex: basketballs and marbles), string, and paint, arrange the balls to represent the planets and their relative distances from the sun. Go crazy with this one and be creative with the planet designs. 

 

Stars in a Jar:

Another fun experiment that is one of my favorites is the Star in a jar. Make a nebula using cotton balls, water, paint, a jar, and glitter. Create layers of colored water and cotton balls to mimic the appearance of nebula. The nebula represents the birthplace of stars. 

 

We invite you to try the experiments, share your thoughts, and follow our blog for more exciting S.T.E.A.M. topics. Dive into learning, and who knows what amazing things you will discover with us next!


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