July 2022 Recent Additions to the Known Biodiversity of the Berea College Forest
July 2022 We added at least 35 new species to the project this month with a few dozen more waiting to be confirmed. Most of the new additions were pollinators spotted on walks in our native tallgrass prairie. We also added several new species of moths during National Moth Week this year. Five-Banded Thynnid Wasp …
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Can We Predict Eclipses?
by Jeff Hutton Hello Astronomers! For the last two weeks I’ve shared with you some of the thrill we’ve experienced when we’ve seen eclipses of the Sun and Moon. A solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes in front of the Sun. Lunar eclipses happen when the Moon passes into the shadow of the earth. …
Eclipses–Continued
by Jeff Hutton Hello Astronomers! In the last issue, we talked about shadows. Shadows are why we have special events like lunar and solar eclipses. Let’s look again at lunar eclipses. We know that the Earth casts a shadow out into space in the direction of the anti-solar point. Remember, that’s the point directly away …
Eclipses
by Jeff Hutton Hello Astronomers! One of the things I love about observing the night sky is that what we see in the sky makes sense, once you apply a little thought to them. For example, think about shadows. You know, light can’t go through solid stuff like your house or your head. Let’s think …
Phases of the Moon
by Jeff Hutton Hello, Astronomers! Well, I guess that this week wasn’t the best for Moon watching was it? I heard the weatherman on TV say that this has been one of our wettest springs ever. The clouds that brought the rain sure blocked our view of the sky most evenings! Did you manage to …
Hey, Check Out the Moon! — Continued
by Jeff Hutton Hello, Astronomers! I’m back with this week’s ideas to help you get to know the night sky. I also decided that it was time to give this a name: Looking Up! How do you like it? Last week I invited you to pay attention to how the Moon appears to change shape …
Hey, Check Out the Moon!
by Jeff Hutton First, did you get to see any of the Lyrid Meteors this week? As I write this, clouds are overhead but maybe it will be clear. Don’t forget to see the article from last week for meteor watching tips. During the next week you’ll have a chance to see how the moon …
Earth Day….Every Day
Isn’t it odd how American society has had to designate time periods to remind ourselves to honor things we should be celebrating all the time? African American Heritage month, Native American Heritage month, Grandparents’ Day, and Earth Day are a few examples among many. April 22nd marked the 50th Anniversary of the first Earth Day …
April Showers
by Jeff Hutton I’ve been staring at the sky for half a century. I’ve seen eclipses of the moon. I’ve seen eclipses of the sun. I’ve seen bright comets. I’ve seen …
The World Becomes What We Teach
I just finished reading a book by Zoe Weil called The World Becomes What You Teach. Zoe Weil is director of the Institute for Humane Education. Both the title of the book and of the institute drew may interest.