Support science for our future. Make a gift to the Science Center’s YES Program to help support the Science Center’s education programs. In March 2022 the Science Center’s Community Partners meeting welcomed back our friends and partners for the first in-person gathering since March of 2020. It was a welcome sight to see so many… Continue reading
April 19, 2022 On this date in 2006, American naval officer and test pilot Albert Scott Crossfield passed away. While piloting the Skyrocket, an experimental aircraft, Crossfield reached speeds of 1,291 mph (2,078 km/h). As such, he was the first to reach Mach-2, or twice the speed of sound. Crossfield continued flying until his death… Continue reading
April 18, 2022 Tomorrow morning at about 5:15 am, just before sunrise, several planets are visible above the eastern horizon. Moving south away from the horizon, it is possible to find Jupiter, Venus, Mars, and Saturn. These planets will appear approximately 10° from each other in the sky along the path of the ecliptic. Tomorrow… Continue reading
April 17, 2022 On this date in 1970, the Apollo 13 command module safely splashed down in the Pacific Ocean. Only 2 days into the mission, an oxygen tank failed, and the mission was cancelled midflight. Instead of landing on the lunar surface as originally planned, the spacecraft looped around the moon and returned to… Continue reading
April 16, 2022 Tonight there is a full moon. Many cultures around the world have tracked the movements and phases of the Moon. Often ancient calendars were based off the timing and position of the full moon. We still see some evidence of this in various celebrations today, such as Easter, which is traditionally celebrated… Continue reading
This is the Saint Louis Science Center’s NIGHT SKY UPDATE for the week of Friday, April 15, 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
April 15, 2022 Although Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun, it is not the hottest. The daytime side of Mercury can reach temperatures of up to 800°F (426°C). Venus however, rests consistently at temperatures of approximately 900°F (482°C). Venus maintains this hot temperature due to the thick layer of clouds that covers the… Continue reading
April 14, 2022 Tonight at 10 pm, the bright star Vega will be visible just above the northeastern horizon. Vega is the brightest star in both the constellation of Lyra the Harp and the seasonal asterism of the Summer Triangle. As we move closer to summer, Vega will continue to rise earlier throughout the evening,… Continue reading
Triptychs are a type of religious icon, often commissioned for private use. Because of their size, triptychs could easily be transported and served as a type of protection for the owner. This triptych is only six and half inches tall! Beautifully painted, it features St. George killing a dragon in the center panel, with an… Continue reading
Andy explains “Living Soil” and its use in the GROW Lab system during this transplanting video.
