Presents information on the planet Mercury and points out how little is known about this planet which is much closer than Pluto. Features a list of visible planets and moon phases. (YDS)

Discusses the five upcoming shuttle missions, two Russian missions to the International Space Station, a scheduled visit to the Hubble Space Telescope for maintenance, and other events in the solar system. Includes a list of monthly events. (YDS)

Describes occultation events involving the moon, when the moon blocks the view of planets or stars. Describes other events such as a partial solar eclipse, a penumbral lunar eclipse, meteor showers, and moon phases. Provides a list of internet resources related to these events. (DLH)

Describes how to differentiate a planet from a star and presents an activity in which students investigate whether Pluto is a planet. (YDS)

Describes a celestial grid system that gives the coordinates for any object that delineates the sun's ecliptic path--the sun's apparent path through the year. Includes Internet resources. (KHR)

Explains how Venus changes visibility regularly from morning to evening because of its quick orbit time during part of the year. Includes a brief history of observations of this phenomenon and provides a detailed account from the Australian Aborigines. (DDR)

Discusses and explains early people's fears and explanations of eclipses. Describes the lunar eclipse scheduled for November 28-29. (PR)

Narrates a story, "Why Sun Cautiously Rises," which is adapted from a Pahute Indian legend of a tale about the Sun's changing position. (ZWH)

Presents several classroom ideas to help students understand their relationship to and their place in the universe as well as how difficult it would be to find life beyond Earth. Lists activities for children including the "Map Procedure," the "Model Procedure," and "Good Ol' Sol." (CW)

Describes a "tracing the sun" worksheet combining models with computer programs and classroom discussion. Provides the worksheet including the nine steps of the activity and several discussion questions. (YP)