May 20, 2022 On this day in 1978, NASA’s orbiter-probe Pioneer Venus launched. Planned primary mission 8 months. The primary goals of the mission were to investigate the solar wind in the Venusian environment, map Venus’ surface, and study the characteristics of the upper atmosphere and ionosphere. The spacecraft remained in operation until October 8,… Continue reading
Astronomy Fact of the Day: May 19, 2022
May 19, 2022 Tonight at 8:30 pm, it is possible to see the bright star Sirius about to set above the western horizon. Sirius is the brightest star in the night sky and seen at its highest during the winter months. As we approach summer, Sirius will appear too close to the Sun and will… Continue reading
It’s GROW Time!
We check back in on our plants 11 days after the light cycle was reduced to 12 hours from 18.
Backgammon Board Game
Did you know that the game of backgammon is nearly 400 years old? Invented in England during the first half of the 17th century, backgammon is a two-player game of strategy and luck. Each player has fifteen pieces to move along the twenty-four points around the board. The first to remove all their pieces from… Continue reading
Astronomy Fact of the Day: May 18, 2022
May 18, 2022 On this date in 1969, the NASA crewed mission Apollo 10 launched at 11:49 am. The spacecraft launched using a Saturn V rocket from Kennedy Space Center. Apollo 10 acted as the dress rehearsal for the Apollo moon landings. Apollo 10 launched aboard the Saturn V from Kennedy Space Center. Image credit:… Continue reading
Astronomy Fact of the Day: May 17 2022
May 17, 2022 On this date in 1969, the Soviet Union’s unmanned probe Venera 6 successfully lands on Venus. The probe was able to send back 51 minutes of atmospheric data before succumbing to the intense pressure and temperature on Venus’ surface. Although this is today seen as a massive triumph for the Soviet Space… Continue reading
Astronomy Fact of the Day: May 16, 2022
May 16, 2022 The full moon occurred last night, and it was possible to observe a total lunar eclipse. Tonight, the moon begins the waning portion of its orbit as it moves toward new moon. The waning gibbous moon rises this evening at 9:11 pm. The moon as it appears tonight at approximately 9 pm.… Continue reading
Astronomy Fact of the Day: May 15, 2022
May 15, 2022 Tonight is a total lunar eclipse, which will be visible from St. Louis. The moon rises at 7:53pm and the partial eclipse begins at 8:27 pm. The moon reaches totality when it passes fully within Earth’s shadow, starting at 10:29 pm. Totality will last for approximately 1 hour and 25 minutes. During… Continue reading
Night Sky Update: May 13 – May 21, 2022
This is the Saint Louis Science Center’s NIGHT SKY UPDATE for the week of Friday, May 13, 2022. 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: May 14, 2022
May 14, 2022 As of April 2022, just over 300 Martian meteorites have been discovered and classified which account for less than 0.5% of all confirmed meteorites. Scientists use the mineralogical, elemental, and isotopic makeup of the meteorite to determine whether the rock originated on Mars or somewhere else in the solar system. Most strikingly,… Continue reading