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
Astronomy Fact of the Day: April 16, 2022
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
Night Sky Update: April 15 – April 23, 2022
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
Astronomy Fact of the Day: April 15, 2022
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
Astronomy Fact of the Day: April 14, 2022
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
Painted Wooden Triptych Collected from Russia
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
Living Soil Transplanting
Andy explains “Living Soil” and its use in the GROW Lab system during this transplanting video.
Astronomy Fact of the Day: April 13, 2022
April 13, 2022 On this date in 1959, Discoverer II, the first satellite to separate a reentry vehicle on command, ejected its reentry vehicle to start its journey back to earth. Because of a timing error, the US believed that the capsule landed somewhere the Norwegian island of Spitsbergen, instead of in the recovery zone… Continue reading
Astronomy Fact of the Day: April 12, 2022
April 12, 2022 Tomorrow morning at 5:30 am Jupiter is visible rising just above the eastern horizon. Approximately 0.1° south of Jupiter is the planet Neptune; however, Neptune is too far away to see with the naked eye. Tomorrow morning at approximately 5:30 am, Jupiter is visible rising above the eastern horizon. Neptune is located… Continue reading
Astronomy Fact of the Day: April 11, 2022
April 11, 2022 On this date in 1970, Apollo 13 launched from Cape Canaveral, carrying James Lovell, Jim Swigert and Fred Haise. This crewed mission was intended to be the third to land on the moon; however, an oxygen tank in the service module malfunctioned and the mission had to be aborted. The astronauts returned… Continue reading