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Aussies plan for Mars weather forecasts
September 09, 2004
A team of Australian astronomers have developed a way of forecasting the weather on Mars - without putting their toes in space and created beautiful images of our neighbouring planet. Their discoveries will help us determine if Mars was a kinder place for life in the past.
And by forecasting the Martian weather they hope to be able to reduce the risks to spacecraft, such as the recent failed Beagle mission and possible future manned missions to Mars.
Sarah Chamberlain of the Australian Centre for Astrobiology is one of 16 early-career scientists selected in the Fresh Science competition. The program is supported by the British Council Australia and the winner will receive a study tour to the UK where they will present their work.
Sarah and the associate director of the ACA, Dr Jeremy Bailey (also of the Anglo-Australian Observatory), observed Mars during its close approach to Earth in August 2003.
They used the United Kingdom Infrared Telescope (UKIRT) on the summit of Mauna Kea, Hawaii.
By using near infra-red light they hoped to be able to map the distribution of elements in the atmosphere and on the surface of Mars. "Along the way we obtained the clearest images of Mars ever taken from Earth," says Sarah.
"The technique we used will help resolve the controversy as to whether water ever flowed across the surface of Mars. We will be able to detect where rocks and minerals have been chemically altered by water flow."
"The most exciting application is a new technique to allow us to predict the weather on Mars."
The atmosphere on Mars is primarily carbon dioxide. By mapping the variations in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and comparing this with topographical maps of Mars they can detect and monitor the movement of pressure systems (what we know as weather) in the Martian atmosphere.
Predicting the weather on Mars will reduce to risk to landing spacecraft.
"If we knew the weather systems on Mars, losses such as the recent Beagle 2 lander might be prevented," says Sarah.
"Our work shows that ground-based observations can still produce relevant and cutting-edge science without the cost and risk of launching a spacecraft."
"Ground-based observations need not be relegated to the back bench when it comes to planetary exploration of our near-by neighbours," says Sarah.
Science in Public
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Scientific Explorer's Mind Blowing Science Kit for Young Scientists
by Scientific Explorer
Mind blowing experiments to delight and educate young scientists! Erupt a color changing volcano. Mix up magic ooze with a mind of its own. Play with sand that never gets wet. Mix safe chemicals and watch colors change before your eyes. You'll amaze yourself and your friends as you explore the science behind these truly remarkable reactions.
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The Everything Kids' Science Experiments Book: Boil Ice, Float Water, Measure Gravity-Challenge the World Around You! (Everything Kids Series)
by Tom Robinson (Author)
Science has never been so easy - or so much fun! With The Everything Kids' Science Experiments Book, all you need to do is gather a few household items and you can recreate dozens of mind-blowing, kid-tested science experiments. High school science teach Tom Robinson shows you how to expand your scientific horizons - from biology to chemistry to physics to outer space. You'll discover answers to questions like: Is it possible to blow up a balloon without actually blowing into it? What is inside coins? Can a magnet ever be "turned off"? Do toilets always flush in the same direction? Can a swimming pool be cleaned with just the breath of one person? Get ready to enter the laboratory and learn how to conduct cool experiments, understand scientific terms...
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Grow your own friendly germs and fuzzy molds. Mix up a batch of coagulating fake blood. Even make a stinky intestine. learn the science behind unmentionable bodily functions while doing some truly NASTY Experiments. Ages 8+
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The Science Book: Everything You Need to Know About the World and How It Works (National Geographic)
by National Geographic (Author), Marshall Brain (Foreword)
A delight for the casual reader, yet so complete and wide-ranging that science buffs and students will welcome it, The Science Book encapsulates centuries of scientific thought in one richly illustrated volume. Natural phenomena, revolutionary inventions, and the most up-to-date investigations are explained in detailed text, and 2,000 vivid illustrationsincluding 3-D graphics and pictogramsmake the information even more accessible and amazing to discover.
The Science Book offers both a general overview of topics for the browsing reader and more specific information for those seeking deeper insight into a particular subject. Six major sections, ranging from the universe and planet Earth to biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics, encompass everything from microscopic life...
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Scientific Explorer's The Magic Science Wizard's Kit
by Scientific Explorer
Cast real smoke from your fingertips, make a wizard wand, and whip up color-changing potions in your test tube laboratory. Also included are laminated cards with wizard facts, an instruction booklet with 11 activities, lab equipment, and mysterious wizard powders that will mix together to mystify you!
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Magic School Bus Journey into the Human Body Science Kit
by Young Scientist Club
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The Complete Book of Science, Grades 5-6
by School Specialty Publishing (Author)
The Complete Book of Science for grades 5 to 6 teaches children important science skills! Children complete a variety of exercises that help them develop a number of skills in this 352 page workbook. Including a complete answer key this workbook features a user-friendly format perfect for browsing, research, and review. Over 4 million in print! The best-selling Complete Book series offers a full complement of instruction, activities, and information about a single topic or subject area. Containing over 30 titles and encompassing preschool to grade 8 this series helps children succeed in every subject area! ...
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Scientific Explorer's Tasty Science Chemistry in the Kitchen Kit
by Scientific Explorer
Who knew science could taste so good? With this kit, you’ll whip up cupcakes, cookies, candy, and more—all in the name of science! Learn what makes cakes rise, candy crystallize, and more real chemistry happen in the kitchen. Tasty Science is packed with ingredients, recipes, activity cards, a test tube laboratory, and lots more to explore the science of taste.
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What Is the World Made Of? All About Solids, Liquids, and Gases (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science, Stage 2)
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Scientific Explorer's Spa Science Chemistry Kit
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Whip your bath into a frothy fizzing sea of color and fragrance. Make colorful, fragrant bath gels, bath fizzers, spa lotion, bath balm, a face mask, and shampoo. Mix colors and fragrances to creat your own product line with secret and exclusive mixtures. Explore the science of gels, fragrance and fizzers.
Mixing fragrances in the bathtub is a delight for both girls and boys. It’s one of the best ways to introduce them to the fun of science. Kids will spend hours in the tub with this kit mixing ingredients to make foaming frothing baths and smelling potions and conducting science experiments to see how scents affect our alertness, moods and memories. Comparing the responses of siblings, parents and friends makes this a shared adventure the entire family will enjoy
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