February 21, 2005

Its Just a Phase

Image Credit: Howard Eskildsen

Its Just a Phase The public is often ignorant of the most basic facts of science. A scientifically literate public is important to fight school boards which try to force intelligent design and creationism down our children’s minds. Also, a public that has at least a rudimentary appreciation of science is more likely to politically support funding for federal science research and education, both now being reduced in the USA. Amateur astronomers have a number of ways we can help educate the public. One favorite is holding star parties for schools and museums, but Harold Eskildsen has found an additional way – making a poster about lunar phases for his local science center. I like this poster because it artistically ties the familiar phase diagram of the Moon in different positions around the Earth with Harold’s photos taken with a typical amateur telescope. I haven’t asked Harold, but I bet he can supply a larger digital version for others who would like to contribute one to their local science centers or schools. Has anyone else developed educational lunar projects? — Chuck Wood Technical Details: All images taken with a 6" Meade Refractor except for the last quarter which was obtained through Jose Olivarez's 8" reflector. Yesterday's LPOD: Scattered Impressions of a Boundary Zone Tomorrow's LPOD: New Light On A Familiar Domefield

Author & Editor: Charles A. Wood

 

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