October 5, 2021 Today in 1984, Space Shuttle Challenger launched on the eight-day STS-41G mission. On this mission, Kathryn D. Sullivan became the first U.S. woman to perform a spacewalk. The shuttle’s crew of seven was the largest ever to fly on a single spacecraft at that time. STS-41G completed 132 orbits of the Earth… Continue reading
The Science Center and the City of St. Louis Department of Health Tackle the Science of Vaccination and Vaccine Hesitancy
Support science for our future. Make a gift to the Science Center’s Annual Fund to help fund educational programs in the St. Louis community. When most people think of the Science Center, a roaring tyrannosaurus or a trip into the stars of the night sky might be the first things to come to mind, but… Continue reading
Astronomy Fact of the Day: October 4, 2021
October 4, 2021 The moon takes 29.5 days to complete its cycle of phases. This is called a synodic month of which there are 12.4 of each year. The synodic month that starts in October 2021, is lunation 1222. A waning crescent moon rose on October 4, 2021, at 5 am. The next new moon… Continue reading
Astronomy Fact of the Day: October 3, 2021
October 3, 2021 Today in 1962, the Mercury spacecraft Sigma 7 was launched. Aboard the craft, Astronaut Walter M. “Wally” Schirra completed nearly six orbits of the Earth, splashing down in the Pacific Ocean 9 hours, 13 minutes after liftoff. All Mercury capsules were built in St. Louis by McDonnell Aircraft Corporation. Pictured above are… Continue reading
Night Sky Update: October 1 – October 9, 2021
This is the Saint Louis Science Center’s NIGHT SKY UPDATE for the week of Friday, October 1, 2021. Information updated weekly or as needed. Times given as local St. Louis time, which is Central Daylight Time (CDT). For definitions of terminology used in the night sky update, click the highlighted text. If relying on times… Continue reading
Astronomy Fact of the Day: October 2, 2021
October 2, 2021 The brightest star we see at night is called Sirius. You can find this bright star rising in the southeast around 3 am this month. The bright Star Sirius rising in the southeast around 3 am. Image created using Stellarium
Astronomy Fact of the Day: October 1, 2021
October 1, 2021 Today in 1958, NACA (National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics) officially became NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration). On that day William H. Dana reported to work as an engineer at the High-Speed Flight Station as the first NASA employee. For a timeline of NASA’s history, visit here. The original logo of the… Continue reading
Astronomy Fact of the Day: September 30, 2021
September 30, 2021 At 9 pm you will find Jupiter and Saturn in the south. You can confirm that you have found these planets with the twinkle test. Generally, stars appear to twinkle, planets do not. The bright star to the northwest of Jupiter and Saturn is Altair and the bright star to their southeast… Continue reading
Artifact of the Week: Colima Dog Figure
For the past 3,000 years, the Colima dog has been the animal most frequently portrayed in Western Mexican art. A relative of the Mexican hairless dog, it was highly regarded among ancient cultures such as the Colima as a guardian of the dead, healer of the sick, protector of the home and as a food… Continue reading
Astronomy Fact of the Day: September 29, 2021
September 29, 2021 Today in 2001, NASA launched Kodiak Star carrying four satellites into Earth orbit. This was the first launch from the Kodiak Launch Complex on Kodiak Island in Alaska, now named the Pacific Spaceport Complex – Alaska (PSCA). This facility is one of the best locations in the world for polar launch operations.… Continue reading