Astronomy Fact of the Day: August 10, 2021

August 10, 2021 The peak of the annual Perseid Meteor Shower occurs tomorrow night on August 11/12. The Perseids are typically active from July 17 to August 26.  You can start looking for meteors as early as 10 pm by looking northeast but, your best views will be from midnight to 4 am. During this… Continue reading

Greenhouse Update: What is Aquaponics?

While we patiently wait for the pests to make their next move, it’s important to talk about what exactly is in our greenhouse and how that environment affects how and what we grow. It’s time to explore the unique and wonderful world of aquaponic farming. When visitors come to the greenhouse, we like to ask… Continue reading

Night Sky Update: August 6 – August 14, 2021

This is the Saint Louis Science Center’s NIGHT SKY UPDATE for the week of Friday, August 6, 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

Gateway Legends Esports Competition Hosted by Fair Saint Louis

Support science for our future. Make a gift to the Youth Exploring Science Program today to help power connections to STEAM through efforts like these. The Saint Louis Science Center was proud to participate in the recent Gateway Legends esports competition hosted by Fair Saint Louis and sponsored by Centene Charitable Foundation. Held over the… Continue reading

Astronomy Fact of the Day: August 9, 2021

August 9, 2021 In 1973 on this date, the Soviet Union launched its Mars 7 probe.  Instead of a soft landing on Mars, the probe missed the planet by 1,300 kilometers.  A history of the Soviet space program may be found here. If Mars 7 was successful, I would have landed near Ritchey Crater south… Continue reading

Astronomy Fact of the Day: August 8, 2021

August 8, 2021 Today marks new moon for August starting lunation 1220. Our Moon was the only Moon known until the invention of the telescope. In 1610, Galileo pointed a telescope at Jupiter discovering four new moons. Today we call them Io, Europa, Ganymede and Calisto. Those with binoculars can find Jupiter and these four… Continue reading

Astronomy Fact of the Day: August 7, 2021

August 7, 2021 In 1947 on this date, Charles “Chuck” Yeager flew the manned rocket plane X-1 on one of many flights leading up to his breaking of the sound barrier in October of that year. Yeager named the X-1 “Glamorous Glennis” in a tribute to his wife. Chuck Yeager in front of Bell X-1… Continue reading

Astronomy Fact of the Day: August 6, 2021

August 6, 2021 Jupiter rises today at 8:45 pm. Start looking for this giant world in the southeast by 10pm. The Juno Mission has been orbiting Jupiter since July 4, 2016. Image Data: NASA/JPL-Caltech/SwRI/MSSS. Image Processing: Kevin M. Gill, © CC BY

Astronomy Fact of the Day: August 5, 2021

August 5, 2021 On this date in 1930, Neil Alden Armstrong was born. Flying to the moon along with Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin and Michael Collins aboard Apollo 11, Armstrong became the first person to step onto the Moon.  During his spaceflight career, he also flew to orbit on Gemini 8, becoming a member of the… Continue reading

Artifact of the Week: Foton Super Camera

Did you know that the Foton Super Camera could shoot up to six frames per second? This is quite fast for a 35mm camera, even by today’s standards. Bell & Howell’s effort to produce the best 35mm camera yielded this quality piece of workmanship and dependability. Unfortunately, the price tag of $700 right after World… Continue reading