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During September and October, our young astronomers, students at Rosemont 6th Grade, Fort Worth ISD, were observing and drawing Mars, showing its location among the stars from week to week. The students were instructed to take paper and pencil out with them once a week, find Mars, (the bright red object in the southern sky), draw it and the stars around it, being very specific about the location of the individual stars nearby. From week to week, they can see that Mars is moving from west to east against the backdrop of stars. Actually, they watched Mars move from near Antares, east across the "leg of Ophiuchus", and across Sagittarius. At the end of October, Mars is well east of Sagittarius and is on its way to Capricornus.
Outstanding observing of "Mars Among the Stars" was recorded by students, Zuriel Flores, Sergio Rodriguez, and Ivan Soto. Their careful attention to detail and location shows budding astronomers at work! By comparing Zuriel's October 12, 16, and 17 drawings, you can see the movement of Mars eastward in relation to the stars of Sagittarius. Ivan had a great October 6th drawing covering the sky from the rising of the 19-day-old moon above Aldebaran and Saturn in the east over to the setting of Mars in Sagittarius in the west. Sergio showed an October 17th Mars perfectly placed east of the triangle of stars above the teapot.
We are also looking forward to the Mars Odyssey landing October 24. The students know that Mars Odyssey was launched six months ago while Mars is at close perihelion, and that perihelion occurs every 26 months. The students have developed an understanding, (I hope), of the importance of perihelions in planning launches to Mars, and that the Mars Express Launch planned for the 2003 perihelion will be at the closest perihelion since 1988.
In our chemistry unit, we are doing iron oxide experiments to simulate how rust occurs on Mars' surface.
Our December through February planet watches will be to observe and record weekly the movement of Jupiter's retrograde motion in Gemini and Saturn's retrograde motion in Taurus. Hopefully, their sponsor (me) will be photographing it weekly from the observing site to show in the classroom. See you out there!!
Sallie Teames is the local sponsor of Texas Society of Young Astronomers at Rosemont 6th Grade Center, Fort Worth ISD.
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