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For the second time in our existence, the Kiddie Science Lab had the honor of hosting another solar eclipse educational opportunity! Seven years ago we witnessed our first eclipse at approximately 70% totality. This time, NYC was in the path for 90% coverage, which is pretty significant. Once again we gathered on the sidewalk on Rogers Avenue and were amazed by science! In addition to the eclipse, glasses, we viewed the eclipse using pinhole viewers, one of which was very, very big and provided an amazing view. The box used as a pinhole viewer was repurposed from our recent toilet paper delivery, hence the tagline. It made for such a great viewer (and such hysterical pictures) that we tagged the company and they shared our image forward. You can check it out HERE.
Cheers to science and for finding a good laugh amongst the awe! Although Brooklyn isn't in the path of a full eclipse, we expect to see about 90% of the sun blocked out by the moon during the upcoming eclipse. Here's what you need to know about the solar eclipse: What's happening? On April 8th, the moon is going to pass between the sun and the Earth, blocking all or part of the sun for a few hours. Depending on where you live, you may see a full eclipse, where the moon completely covers the disc of the sun. Why does an eclipse happen? Based on the periodic alignment of the round bodies involved (sun, moon, Earth) there are scientifically predictable times when they are lined up perfectly to block part of all of the sun. In the case of a lunar eclipse, the Earth blocks the sun, creating a partial or full shadow. You can learn more HERE. How can I see the solar eclipse? An eclipse is an exciting time in Earth science, but safety is important. Much like you wouldn't look directly up at the sun on a bright day, it's unsafe to look directly up at the solar eclipse without proper eye wear. Even with solar filters, direct viewing of the solar eclipse is limited to a few minutes at a time. It's important to give your eyes a break when viewing the eclipse and never ever view with regular eyeglasses. You can learn more on viewing the eclipse safely HERE.  Happy Leap Year Day!! This year, February has 29 days, making it a leap year. But why??
Normally, the month of February has 28 days. Every four years, however, we add an extra day to the calendar, which is today. To better understand this answer, we need some background information about our calendar. The calendar we use is actually pretty ancient. It was designed to document the Earth's annual trip around the sun through the changing seasons. Over the course of approximately 365 days, the Earth makes one full trip around the sun. The calendar we use today reflects that and is based on observations made by scientists going back to the 11th century in Persia. Ancient astronomers quickly realized that the Earth doesn't take exactly 365 days to make a full trip around the sun. If one wanted to be more precise, there's an extra six hours to make it official. But what do you do with six hours over a long period of time? Scientists applied math to this problem and came up with the leap year. This is why, every four years, when twenty-fours hours have accumulated, we add an extra day in the month of February. Hey there, curious minds! Have you heard of the Air Quality Index (AQI)? It's like a weather forecast but for the air we breathe. This nifty index tells us how clean or polluted our air is and what that means for our health.
What's the AQI? The AQI measures the quality of the air using numbers and colors. It ranges from 0 to 500: the lower the number, the cleaner the air, and vice versa. Picture it like a traffic light: green means good air quality, while red signals unhealthy air. What Does the AQI Tell Us? The AQI focuses on specific pollutants like ozone, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide. Each pollutant gets a rating, and the overall AQI reflects the highest of these ratings. It tells us if the air might affect our health and how. Interpreting the AQI Levels
How Can We Use the AQI? Keeping an eye on the AQI helps us plan our day. If the AQI is high, maybe consider indoor activities or using masks if heading outside. It also guides us in making choices for a healthier lifestyle and encourages actions to improve air quality. Remember, understanding the AQI isn’t just about numbers; it's about taking care of ourselves and our planet. When we know the air quality, we can make informed choices for a breath of fresh air! The Kiddie Science Lab is currently an air quality monitoring site. Find out how the local air is doing HERE. |
