Designed for Amherst College, Amherst, Massachusetts. (RG)

The article discusses findings of the two planetary expeditions to Venus by the United States and Russia. Atmospheric conditions and surface pressures are reported. (JG)

Examines the research related to the existance of "dark matter," the material existing between planets whose effects can be seen but whose distribution and identity have yet been learned. (MDH)

Explains astrobiology and indicates the possibility of life on other planets and the interest of humankind in this possibility. Defines topics open to public misconception and their primary reinforcements by television shows. Expresses the need for students to learn the connections between different science majors. (YDS)

Presents useful tips for taking pictures of stars and comets without any special equipment. (JRH)

Forty years after Mariner 2, planetary exploration has still only just begun, and many more missions are on drawing boards, nearing the launch pad, or even en route across interplanetary space to their targets. One of the most challenging missions that will be conducted this decade is sending the MESSENGER spacecraft to orbit the planet Mercury.…

As the winter Sun rises, four of the five visible planets, Mercury, Venus, Mars, and Jupiter, will be found over the eastern and southern horizons. The two inner planets, Mercury and Venus, will both rise about an hour ahead of the Sun and will be visible just above the southeastern horizon at sunrise for about the first half of January. Look …

The increased availability of computational modeling software has created opportunities for students to engage in scientific inquiry through constructing computer-based models of scientific phenomena. However, despite the growing trend of integrating technology into science curricula, educators need to understand what aspects of these technologies…

Throughout each month, the Moon appears in conjunction with planets and stars along the ecliptic. A conjunction occurs when, in this case, the Moon lies in the same direction as a star or planet. From our perspective, the object looks close. February is no exception, and there will be several opportunities on both sides of the Sun to locate…

Life as known here on Earth exchanges energy and materials with the environment. Life forms grow, develop, produce waste products, and reproduce, storing genetic information in DNA and RNA and passing it from one generation to the next. Life evolves, adapting to changes in the environment and changing the environment in return. The basic unit of…

In the unit described in this article, students discover the main principles of navigation, build tools to observe celestial bodies, and apply their new skills to finding their position on Earth. Along the way students see how science, mathematics, technology, and history are intertwined.

Transits of Venus have been observed since the 17th century and were soon recognized as a way of determining the distance from the Earth to the Sun. But just how can this be done? There are in fact four methods and this article examines them in turn, making clear how Venus will appear to move, what observations are required, the calculations that…