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  • Scope on the Skies: Exploring the Red Planet

    Journal Article |

    The launch of the Mars Odyssey 2001 signaled the beginning of a revised plan for the robotic exploration of Mars, the Red Planet. NASA detailed an exploration plan that will span the next two decades. Using new and…

  • Scope on the Skies: Planets a go-go

    Journal Article |

    The school year kicks off with a great parade of planets in the evening skies, as four of the six visible planets will make an appearance during the evening hours following sunset. For the first half of September,…

  • Editor's Note: The History of Our Planet

    Journal Article |

    Science and Children’s editor shares thoughts regarding the current issue.

  • Scope on the Skies: Tracking planets around the Sun

    Journal Article |

    In earlier columns, the celestial coordinate system of hour circles of right ascension and degrees of declination was introduced along with the use of an equatorial star chart (see SFA Star Charts in Resources). This…

  • Science 101: Why is Pluto no longer a planet?

    Journal Article |

    On August 24, 2006, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) decided that Pluto was no longer a planet, but rather a "dwarf planet". Our understanding of the solar system has not undergone any radical changes, our…

  • The Controversy Over Pluto: Planet or Astronomic Oddball?

    Journal Article |

    Learn how studying scientific controversies can support scientific argumentation and increase science literacy.

  • Scope on the Skies: Planets highlight the evening skies

    Journal Article |

    This column focuses on astronomy throughout the year. This month’s issue explains how the year comes to an end with four of the brightest planets visible above the horizon at sunset.

  • Scope on the Skies: Dance of the planets and our Moon

    Journal Article |

    This summer, the visible planets will put on quite a display, giving us not only the opportunity to compare relative orbital motions, but to also see some beautiful arrangements and conjunctions among the planets, stars…

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