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Sun-Earth Connections
03.21.06
What's an Extra? Each month a list of resources for educators is gathered to support a theme related to NASA. Visit each month to find new educational materials, classroom activities, games, pictures, NASA TV broadcasts and Web sites.

The origins and fate of life on Earth are intimately connected to the way the Earth responds to the sun's variations. Understanding the changing sun and its effects on the solar system, life and society is the goal of the Sun-Earth theme. Join NASA during the week of March 13-19, 2006, as we explore the Sun-Earth Connection and unveil mysteries of our star -- the sun.

Eclipse In A Different Light
TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE

On March 29, 2006, don't miss the live webcast from Turkey.

A total solar eclipse will occur as the moon moves directly between the Earth and the sun. The moon's shadow will fall on the Earth, first darkening the eastern tip of Brazil, and then moving across the Atlantic Ocean to make landfall in Ghana, Africa. It will continue moving northeast through Nigeria, Niger, Libya, Egypt, across the Mediterranean and into Turkey, where an Exploratorium team will be waiting.

                                          Webcast Information       Sun-Earth Day Web site
                                                  + View site                           + View site

Time Conversion for Webcast
All a.m. unless noted

UT/GMT EST PST Turkey
Webcast program 10:00-11:15 5:00-6:15 2:00-3:15 1:00-2:15 p.m.
Telescope only 9:30-12:30 p.m. 4:00-7:30 1:30-4:30 12:30-3:30 p.m.
Totality 10:55-10:59 5:55-5:59 2:55-2:59 1:55-1:59 p.m.
1st contact 9:38:00 4:38:00 1:38:00 12:38 p.m.
2nd contact 10:55:00 5:55:00 2:55:00 1:55 p.m.
3rd contact 10:59:00 5:59:00 2:59:00 1:59 p.m.
4th contact 12:13:00 p.m. 7:13:00 4:13:00 3:13 p.m.


NASA TV Education Schedule
+ View site

NASA Educational Multimedia Materials

Picture of CD, tape, slides and guides
The Central Operation of Resources for Educators, or CORE, is the worldwide distribution center for NASA-produced multimedia materials. Education Modules for themes are bundled by topic and may include CD-ROMs, videotapes, educator guides, posters, lithographs, books, lesson plans, bookmarks, fact sheets, slide sets and activity kits.

Image to right: NASA develops multimedia resources for educators.

Module Spotlight:

Space Science\Planetary\Sun (Grades 5-12)
+ View module

Colors of the Sun VHS (Grades 5-12)
+ View site

Search words for CORE Materials: sun, Earth

CORE
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Follow the Theme -- Activities, Adventures and Web Sites of Interest

The words Eclipse In A Different Light on an illustration of an eclipse Sun-Earth Day Web Site
(All Grade Levels)
Each year the Sun-Earth Day program introduces a fresh thematic approach to NASA Sun-Earth Connection science, missions and cutting-edge research. This year's theme is Eclipse: In a Different Light. Past themes are archived on this site.
+ View site
A satellite image of the Yucatan Traditions of the Sun
(All Grade Levels)
This multimedia Web site takes visitors to two ancient archeological sites to learn about geography, culture, observatories, NASA science and careers. A children's book explores ancient solar practices and modern scientific research within the historical and cultural context of Chaco Canyon. The book, in English and Spanish, is suitable for 4th- to 6th-grade students.
+ View site
This image shows the sun in the extreme ultraviolet portion of the spectrum Sun-Earth Media Viewer
(All Grade Levels)
Besides seeing solar-terrestrial images in near real-time (refreshed every two hours), there are interviews with scientists and educators. One topic is Total Eclipse.
+ View site
A SOHO satellite image of the corona around the sun Tracking a Solar Storm
(All Grade Levels)
This is a learning module for students to explore, observe and understand a solar storm. Users learn how to make their own observations and compare them with NASA mission data.
+ View site
An image showing the different stages of an eclipse The Total Solar Eclipse of 2006 March 29
(All Grade Levels)
This is a Web implementation of the NASA Eclipse Bulletin for the March 29, 2006, total solar eclipse.
+ View site
The words Our Very Own Star: The Sun in front of an illustration of the sun

Our Very Own Star: The Sun
(Grades K-4)
This storybook for children tells the story of the sun and is a useful classroom tool for younger students. Available in English and Spanish.
+ View site


Living With a Star (Grades K-12)
This NASA educator guide provides educators with a quick reference to materials and resources useful for understanding the connections between the sun and Earth.
+ View site

Sun Lithograph (All Grade Levels)
These are images of solar storms, sunspots, majestic hot coronal loops and solar wind.
+ View site

Eclipse Home Page (All Grade Levels)
This page is the ultimate resource for online information about eclipses.
+ View site

The Sun-Earth Connection Education Forum (All Grade Levels)
Check out this site for excellent resources and materials for students and teachers.
+ View site

Eclipse From World Book@NASA for Students (All Grade Levels)
Learn how an eclipse causes the darkening of a planet, moon or star.
+ View site

Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (All Grade Levels)
SOHO observes the sun and the solar wind. This site contains images of the sun taken by SOHO, educational information and activities.
+ View site

Videos showcased in the March 2006 Education File Schedule to support "Space Stations/Space Vehicles" are:
Colors of the Sun (5-8)
Destination Tomorrow™ Ten (9-Adult)
Live From the Sun - Program 1: Our Sun in Close Up (5-12)
Live From the Sun - Program 2: Solar Studies and Sunny Interactions (5-12)
Live From the Sun - Program 3: To the Max (5-12)
NASA CONNECT™: Algebra: Mirror, Mirror on the Universe (4-8)
NASA CONNECT™: Ancient Observatories: Timeless Knowledge (6-8)
NASA CONNECT™: Data Analysis and Measurement: Dancing in the Night Sky (6-8)
NASA CONNECT™: Data Analysis and Measurement: Having a Solar Blast! (6-8)
NASA CONNECT™: Measurement of All Things: Atmospheric Detectives (5-8)
NASA CONNECT™: Path of Totality: Measuring Angular Size and Distance (6-8)
NASA CONNECT™: Venus Transit (2003-2004) (6-8)
NASA SCIence Files™: The Case of the Biological Biosphere (3-5)
NASA SCIence Files™: The Case of the Galactic Vacation (3-5)
NASA SCIence Files™: The Case of the Technical Knockout (3-5)
NASA SCIence Files™: The Case of the Wacky Water Cycle (3-5)
Our Home: Earth From Space (9-12)
Our Solar System (K-4)
Passport to Knowledge: Auroras - Living With a Star (6-8)
Starfinder Series - Program 28: Pulsars and Quasars (6-10)
+ Order videos


Additional Resources

Sun for Kids (Grades K-5)
+ View site

A NASA Scientist Is the World's Eclipse Authority (Upper Grades)
+ View site

Cosmicopia (Upper Grades)
+ View site

Solar System Exploration: The Sun (All Grade Levels)
+ View site

The Sun for Younger Students (Grades K-4)
+ View site

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