World's Deepest Ocean Trenches

Check out this link that helps you explore ocean trenches. What's the most interesting thing that you saw? Would you want to be the next person to go down to the Mariana Trench? Why? Why not?
Ocean Trench: Take a dive 11,000 m down

If you have the time, also check out these videos from National Geographic about plans to once again go to the Mariana Trench.

Density Exit Slip

Coke Challenge

Crazy 8s: Don't let the title of this post fool you. This is not a taste test. Instead, we will test these objects' densities. Please follow the directions that are given below the slideshow.
Coke vs. Diet Coke Density

• Click on "comments". Like always, this will open up a new window where you may type your blog response.
• Advance to the next slide by clicking on the right portion of the slideshow. You can also click on the left portion if you want to go back to the previous slide.
• In your blog response, answer all questions that appear on the purple-ish slides.
• Do not advance to the next slide until you have completely answered the questions that appeared on the purple-ish slides.

The Power of Solar Activity

If you think that campfires are mesmerizing, watch this video and then wonder where four minutes went.

Other Cool Solar Activity Videos:
Coronal Mass Ejection in HD
Live Solar Flare
The Auroras video
Southern Lights from the ISS

This article and associated pictures show some of the effect of Solar Activity as we approach the next Solar Maximum. This Space Weather Dangers Article warns us of the damage that massive flares from the sun could cause. Read these. In a comment, share one effect that Solar Weather could cause and one thing you just found interesting.

Sun Sites

Do a quick search through the following websites for 8 minutes.

Characteristics of the Sun
3D Solar System Tour
Sun-Earth Viewer
Amazing Photos of the Sun

What is the most interesting fact that you found about the sun and its size? Leave it in a comment on this post.

Earth, Moon, and Sun Questions

Recently, we learned about what causes high and low tides, and the difference between spring and neap tides. Do you remember the tides? We've also learned about planetary motion, the cause of seasons (generally how it's been so cold lately!), and the phenomena of moon phases and eclipses (both solar and lunar). Phew! That's a lot of stuff. The audience of this blog must be imparted with this knowledge as well. Give it to them, Crazies.
The following scenarios and questions are actually part of your standard check of these concepts. This is the short answer/essay portion.
Scenario 1:
Using these pictures and the following info, attempt to answer the numbered questions.

• Both pictures were taken from the same exact spot (The zoom for both snapshots was the same, too). The picture on the left was taken at about 2 o'clock in the afternoon. The picture on the right was taken 5 1/2 hours later, at 7:30 pm.
• The moon phase on this particular day was a "First Quarter Moon".

Question 1: What causes high tides and low tides? On the day the picture was taken, was there a Spring or Neap tide? If so, which one?

Scenario 2: The moon is closer to the Earth than it actually is. Normally the moon is approximately 240,000 miles away. In this scenario, the moon is only 160,000 miles away.

Question 2: What would happen to the length of time it takes our moon to progress through all of its phases (from new moon back to another new moon)? Would the length of our month be longer, shorter, or the same?  Why? (Hint: Use your knowledge of Kepler's Laws to answer this one.)

Scenario 3: The Earth's axis is not tilted. It normally tilts at a 23.5 degree angle. In this scenario, there is no tilt (0 degrees).

Question 3: Would we experience a change of seasons if Earth’s axis was not tilted? In your answer, be sure to include at least two factors that cause winter temperatures to be colder than summer temps, and why this seasonal change in temperature would or would not be felt if Earth's axis was not tilted.

Seasons Response

1. Describe what would be different if the following were changed:

• if Earth's axis was not tilted (straight up and down)? 
• if Earth was a different distance from the Sun? 
• if Earth rotated faster or slower? 

 2. Would you like any of these changes?