2009-International Year of Astronomy

I would like to thank those who made possible these educational activities.
It was beautiful and I will never forget those moments.



And most, I would like to thank the children who were great every time.
Stay you the same in the future!

Journey around the Earth in 90 minutes

I organized an activity in the Children's Educational Center of Oradea City, Romania, in December 17-th, 2009.
This activity took place 90 minutes.
I wanted it to be a special activity, which have phases of real space mission: team building, training mission to space by building a space shuttle, the International Space Station. Launch of space shuttle and dock with ISS, astronauts' transfer to ISS. Once there, we began floating in microgravity and we admire through porthole the beautiful landscapes of our amazing planet. After my science lesson, we are in space shuttle, and this vehicle undocking from ISS. We return on Earth.

Children have come quickly in part: it was something new for them. They are always excited when I talk about space. I had a little problem with team building, but eventually we formed a united team and eager to mission success.



1. Preparing for Mission
Mission Patch
Building space shuttle
The ISS construction







... 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 Lift Off!


The robotic Canadarm2 checks the space shuttle thermal protection, then space shuttle docks with the ISS:


2. The space mission
My Science Lesson: The Iridiscence
The Earth seen from space
Amazing planet Earth




3. Return to Earth.
Closing the International Year of Astronomy 2009. I remembered the children attending the activities that I organized in 2009.
Amazing planet Earth, we love you!




MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

Blue Moon (II)

In December 2009, we have twice the full moon on December 2 and December 31.
A rare phenomenon, and an opportunity to organize an activity on this issue. We addressed the following topics:
1. Myths about the Moon
2. Moon data
3. Moon phase
4. Moon Formation
5. The internal structure of the Moon
6. The topography of the Moon
7. Lunar Exploration: Missions to the Moon
7. Future missions to the Moon
8. Launching a rocket in the schoolyard







Finally exhibited paintings by my students:

Galilean Nights

Fortress of Oradea, October 23-th 2009

I have organized in the Fortress of the town the activity "Galilean Nights".
The work should have two parts: a multimedia presentation in the city and out with telescopes in Independence Square, near the statue of Mihai Eminescu.
Unfortunately, the clouds above the city were still stubborn and stayed in the sky, making impossible any observation.

The evening started with presentations in PowerPoint:
1. Galileo Galilei-student Georgiana Gavra
2. Jupiter and Galilean satellites - students Ioana Madalina Jipa
3. Saturn-student Anca Madalina Negru and Mantu Madalina
4. The Moon-student Ioana Matiuta.

The cloud sky not allowed us to observe the constellations, but I watched a film about the constellations October -December.
The evening ended with the presentation of beautiful pictures made Vesselny Tibi.

The students participated in the activity of High School "Aurel Lazar," CN "Emauil Gojdu" CT. "M. Viteazul " and of course, children from "Oltea Doamna" School. Were also present astroclub Meridian 0 members and a guest of Salonta Mr. Matias Csukas.

Save the Milky Way!

Fortress of Oradea, October 16-th, 2009

Wow, these are fantastic photos, isn't?
Think again!




A view of the cities's world. The citizen of these cities can't see the Milky Way! Why?
There are the places with high level of light pollution.
The sky is wonderful and the people can see the magnificent Milky Way from places with low level of light pollution.

How dark is my sky?

We watched the sky and the magnitude was 4. We have saw thousand of stars and a hint of Milky Way.
We recorded our data on Great Wide Star Count site, event no. 1516.
This international event encourages everyone to go outside, look skywards after dark, count the stars they see in certain constellations, and report what they see online.
We observed the stars in Cygnus and we have seen all six stars in the cross of this constellation. The Magnitude was 4.



My students found a solution: Lights out! The sky is magnificent!

Journey through our Solar System

Oradea, Romania, The Children's Town, October 10, 2009

2009 is the 10th year when many people of the world celebrate World Space Week October 4-10. Last year Romania was second place in the world, after USA. This year's theme is Space for Education.

In Oradea are many children who love space. Children eagerly waiting to learn new things about our Solar System.
Journey through our Solar System is the activity I organized in Children's little Town of Oradea.
Children were enthusiastic: Mars rovers built with cookies, candies and jellies, and they became a model of the Solar System which helped to better understand large distances between the planets and the Sun.
It was fun for all kids in the hall.
Students who helped me in this beautiful journey are: Adina Meza, Raoul Muthu and Anamaria Georgies.

Also, it was an mouvie with the our Solar System's planets and three PowerPoint presentation:
1. Our Solar System- student Raoul Muthu,
2. Rovers on Mars: Spirit and Opportunity- student Adina Meza,
3. Send your name to Mars- student Anamaria Georgies.

At the end of this activity, children have seen 3D image of the Sun, Moon and Mercury transit.

Rovers built by children from sweets are names now: Alien, Omega, Curiosity, Rafidus.






It was a great pleasure for me to organize this activity, the children are always very receptive, enthusiastic and creative.

Journey to the Moon

Romania, Oradea's Fortress, October 9-th 2009

The Moon inspired us always to look to the sky. Since ancient times, cultures around the world have looked to the Moon, used it to measure time and wondered how did the Moon is on sky.
What is the celestial body that changes its shape, disappears, then returns as the Queen of the night?
Moon was dwelling gods? Or people will ever get it?
This is the story of celebrating our dream to travel to the Moon. The story of an epic journey, planned and carried out successfully by people who are alive today.
I invite you to a Journey to the Moon. Along with me are members Meridian 0 astroclub from Oradea.
1. Moon formation-student Vlad Filimon,
2. Lunar relief -student Horia Onita,
3. Mercury and Gemini Programs-teacher Valentina Matei,
3. Apollo Program-student Anna-Maria Manolache,
4. Apollo Mission's Patch- Madalina and Raluca Mantu,
5. LCROSS and LRO Missions- student Georgiana Gavra.

I gave details about LCROSS impact crater Cabeus control near the South Pole of the Moon, which took place on October 9, 2009, at 11:31 GMT.
I also presented three videos:
a.Images of the Moon,
b.An walk on the Moon,
c.NASA trailer (Ares I to the Moon).
The water on the Moon has a great importance for future missions. The countdown has begun.