Winter Celebrations
Learn about unique traditions, celebrations, and holidays that occur around the world during December and January.
Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year is the most important of the traditional Chinese holidays. It falls on different dates each year, between January 21 and February 20. Visits to friends and family take place during this celebration. The color gold is said to bring wealth, and the color red is considered especially lucky. The New Year's Eve dinner is very large and includes fish, noodles, and dumplings.
Christmas
Christmas is celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Christmas in the United States brings together many customs from other countries and cultures. Around the world, family members help to decorate the tree and home with bright lights, wreaths, candles, holly, mistletoe, and ornaments. On Christmas Eve, many people go to church. Also on Christmas Eve, Santa comes from the North Pole in a sleigh to deliver gifts; in Hawaii, it is said he arrives by boat; in Australia, the jolly man arrives on water skis; and In Ghana, he comes out of the jungle.
Eid Al Adha, the Festival of the Sacrifice
Eid Al Adha is celebrated by Muslims on the 10th day of the month of the lunar calendar (In 2008, it fell on December 8) to commemorate the willingness of the prophet Ibrahim (or Abraham) to sacrifice his son for God. Today, Muslims sacrifice an animal—usually a goat or a sheep—as a reminder of Ibrahim's obedience to God. The meat is shared with family, friends Muslims or non-Muslims, as well as the poor members of the community.
Hanukkah
Jewish people celebrate Hanukkah, a holiday honoring the Maccabees victory over King Antiochus, who forbid Jews to practice their religion. For eight nights, Hanukkah is celebrated with prayer, the lighting of the menorah, and food. A menorah has nine candles, a candle for every night, plus a helper candle. Children play games, sing songs, and exchange gifts. Potato pancakes, known as latkes in Yiddish, are traditionally associated with Hanukkah and are served with applesauce and sour cream.
Kwanzaa
On December 26, Kwanzaa is celebrated. It is a holiday to commemorate African heritage. Kwanzaa lasts a week during which participants gather with family and friends to exchange gifts and to light a series of black, red, and green candles, which symbolize the seven basic values of African American family life that are unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith.
New Year's Day
New Year's Day is the first day of the year in the Gregorian calendar on January 1. There are often fireworks at midnight to celebrate the new year. Commonly served in the southern part of the United States, black-eyed peas are thought to bring luck and prosperity for the new year, greens (usually collards) bring wealth, and pork because pigs root forward.
Three Kings Day
At the end of the Twelve Days of Christmas comes a day called the Epiphany, or Three Kings Day. This holiday is celebrated as the day the three wise men first saw baby Jesus and brought him gifts. On this day in Spain, many children get their Christmas presents. In Puerto Rico, before children go to sleep on January 5, they leave a box with hay under their beds so the kings will leave good presents. In France, a delicious King cake is baked. Bakers will hide a coin, jewel or little toy inside it.
Winter Solstice
The Winter Solstice occurs around December 21st. It is the shortest day of the year. People all over the world participate in festivals and celebrations. Long ago, people celebrated by lighting bonfires and candles to coax back the sun.
In December, people were ready to celebrate Christmas and have a happy new year! Maybe, people will have a big feast, decorate the Christmas tree, and wait until Santa gives us the presents! As you know, we all know Christmas and New Year’s Day, but there are still a lot of holidays in the end of December to the New Year! Like Hanukkah and Kwanzaa, holidays that we don’t celebrate, are holidays that other countries celebrate their own Christmas! In Chinese New Year, Chinese people will have a big feast, see the fireworks and shows, eat Tang Yuan, and our parents will give red bags to us! There are many holidays at this time, but I wish everyone in the world will have a good Christmas and a Happy New Year!
2009/12/08
2009/12/07
Water World
Water World
Scientists discover more than 17,000 species deep below the surface of the world's oceans
By Andrea Delbanco
An international team of scientists has discovered 17,650 species living more than 656 feet beneath the surface of the world's oceans. That is the point where sunlight can no longer be seen. These species survive in the pitch-black by feeding on matter that falls down to their depth including sunken whale bones, oil and methane gas.
The findings are part of the global Census of Marine Life, which will be completed by October 2010. Oceanographers believe thousands more species are yet to be discovered.
Under the Sea
More than 2,000 scientists from 80 countries are working together on the census. It's an expensive and difficult process. Research using cameras, sonar and remotely operated vehicles can cost as much as $50,000 a day.
Discoveries include more than 40 new species of coral found on deep-sea mountains along with cities of brittle undersea stars and anemone gardens. Other bottom dwellers include tentacled transparent sea cucumbers and tubeworms that feed on oil deposits.
There are many kinds of marine animals in the ocean. We can eat many marine species, and it is very good. Japanese people catch many fish to kill and eat sashimi, make miso soup, and many other kinds of food. But now we like to look for new kinds of marine animals, and study it. We now can dive into the deep sea because of technology. We can also find some new marine animals in there. We know that these species are peculiar and strange, but we must not kill it, but we need to save it. We also need to protect every fish in the ocean, and let the species grow. When we do that, we finally have a colorful water world.
Scientists discover more than 17,000 species deep below the surface of the world's oceans
By Andrea Delbanco
An international team of scientists has discovered 17,650 species living more than 656 feet beneath the surface of the world's oceans. That is the point where sunlight can no longer be seen. These species survive in the pitch-black by feeding on matter that falls down to their depth including sunken whale bones, oil and methane gas.
The findings are part of the global Census of Marine Life, which will be completed by October 2010. Oceanographers believe thousands more species are yet to be discovered.
Under the Sea
More than 2,000 scientists from 80 countries are working together on the census. It's an expensive and difficult process. Research using cameras, sonar and remotely operated vehicles can cost as much as $50,000 a day.
Discoveries include more than 40 new species of coral found on deep-sea mountains along with cities of brittle undersea stars and anemone gardens. Other bottom dwellers include tentacled transparent sea cucumbers and tubeworms that feed on oil deposits.
There are many kinds of marine animals in the ocean. We can eat many marine species, and it is very good. Japanese people catch many fish to kill and eat sashimi, make miso soup, and many other kinds of food. But now we like to look for new kinds of marine animals, and study it. We now can dive into the deep sea because of technology. We can also find some new marine animals in there. We know that these species are peculiar and strange, but we must not kill it, but we need to save it. We also need to protect every fish in the ocean, and let the species grow. When we do that, we finally have a colorful water world.
2009/11/16
Death Driveway
By Max
It was a sunny morning in July 1996. The New York Driveway was just built in May, and it was testing the driveway to August. At 9:00 am, Bob and his friends, Sally, Julie, Mark, Amy and Joe went to the beach to have a party. Unluckily, there was an accident. Somebody was dead.
It was 8:30 am. The people were still packing their things. They brought beach balls, swimsuits, umbrellas, food and other things. Then they drove on the New York Driveway. Suddenly, a jeep came, and drove at a high speed. The jeep just crashed into their car! But suddenly, as a mob took Mark out of their car, he was squashed by the jeep. They quickly ran away. Bob called the police to come instantly. The police quickly searched the crime scene, and found this disgusting dog poop, and there was a badge on top of it! They identified that this is the badge of the scary Black Mob Crew! Finally, they took this poop to the observatory. After the police left, the accident scene attracted a crowd. The background of the crime scene was contaminated by blood. Amy cried and cried, and Bob said: “Come on, Amy! Mark’s death is irreversible and you can’t change it.” Amy said: “Mark has a sports car, and he has a luxurious villa, and he is rich! What if the property was stolen? I still need to protect his property even if I am not his sister!” So the five of them walked back home sadly. The next day, the police called Bob. They told him that they searched the whole crew, and they found out the leader of the team was Jimmy. So they knew that he did it on purpose. Bob shrugged and was shocked, because he knew he was Mark’s brother and lived a secluded life in New York. He even took the whole crew to commit 9 robberies, kidnapped 7 people, and killed 35 people! Julie sneered and said: “If I caught Jimmy, I would tell him accusingly that you are the murder, who killed Mark! I also want to kill him too, if I had a gun!” After that, the FBI called the five of them to the police station because they caught Jimmy. They stared at Jimmy rancorously, and they got an award for helping capture the leader of the Black Crew. Jimmy needed to go to jail for 25 years, and pay 200 thousand U.S. dollars for Mark’s previous murder.
2009/11/07
The Remote Controls
The Remote Controls
Children are watching way too much TV. How much? The answer may surprise you.
By Jonathan Rosenbloom
Kids are watching more TV than ever, says a recent study of 6,700 young people. The study, conducted by Nielsen Company, finds that kids from ages 2 to 11 are watching the tube for a total of more than one day a week. TV's youngest viewers, children from 2 to 5 watch, on average, more than 32 hours a week. Kids 6 to 11 watch more than 28 hours. The reason for fewer hours for the older group: They are in school while preschoolers are often home during the day. The number of viewing hours is at an eight-year high.
Why So Much TV?
How many hours a day do you spend in front of the TV?
What's the reason for the increased tube watching? According to Patricia McDonough, a Nielsen senior vice president, more and more shows are aimed at kids. McDonough points out that video-on-demand is very popular among the youngest kids who watch their favorite shows over and over.
The report says kids are mostly watching live TV, but they're also watching taped shows on DVRs and programs on DVDs. Also, kids ages 6 to 11 play video games on a TV for an average of nearly two and a half hours each week.
What does all this viewing mean? Sitting in front of the tube could lead to weight gain since viewers could--and should--be doing something active instead. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics--a group made up of doctors who treat children--recommends that kids under 2 should not watch TV at all. And kids older than 2 should limit their TV time to less than two hours a day.
Max-I know that there are many ways to avoid watching too much television. Many people’s eyes will get worse after they watch television, and even get blind. So you may go out to the playground to play some basketball, soccer and running. This will get you interested in outdoor sports and you may want to go out everyday. You also need to avoid watching television programs that you don’t like. You may plan a schedule about when do you watch TV. You also can find more ways to avoid watching too much television. If you do that, you may want to watch television every day. Many children like to watch TV as a hobby, but those teenagers who need to take tests, shouldn’t watch TV.
Children are watching way too much TV. How much? The answer may surprise you.
By Jonathan Rosenbloom
Kids are watching more TV than ever, says a recent study of 6,700 young people. The study, conducted by Nielsen Company, finds that kids from ages 2 to 11 are watching the tube for a total of more than one day a week. TV's youngest viewers, children from 2 to 5 watch, on average, more than 32 hours a week. Kids 6 to 11 watch more than 28 hours. The reason for fewer hours for the older group: They are in school while preschoolers are often home during the day. The number of viewing hours is at an eight-year high.
Why So Much TV?
How many hours a day do you spend in front of the TV?
What's the reason for the increased tube watching? According to Patricia McDonough, a Nielsen senior vice president, more and more shows are aimed at kids. McDonough points out that video-on-demand is very popular among the youngest kids who watch their favorite shows over and over.
The report says kids are mostly watching live TV, but they're also watching taped shows on DVRs and programs on DVDs. Also, kids ages 6 to 11 play video games on a TV for an average of nearly two and a half hours each week.
What does all this viewing mean? Sitting in front of the tube could lead to weight gain since viewers could--and should--be doing something active instead. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics--a group made up of doctors who treat children--recommends that kids under 2 should not watch TV at all. And kids older than 2 should limit their TV time to less than two hours a day.
Max-I know that there are many ways to avoid watching too much television. Many people’s eyes will get worse after they watch television, and even get blind. So you may go out to the playground to play some basketball, soccer and running. This will get you interested in outdoor sports and you may want to go out everyday. You also need to avoid watching television programs that you don’t like. You may plan a schedule about when do you watch TV. You also can find more ways to avoid watching too much television. If you do that, you may want to watch television every day. Many children like to watch TV as a hobby, but those teenagers who need to take tests, shouldn’t watch TV.
2009/10/26
Here Comes Astro Boy!
Here Comes Astro Boy!
Actor Freddie Highmore voices the famous boy robot in a new animated adventure, in theaters now
By Vickie An
Look, up in the sky! It's a bird, it's a plane, it's a . . . flying boy? Yes, but not just any boy -- Astro Boy. The famous Japanese cartoon character soars into movie theaters in an all-new animated tale, now playing.
KELVIN JONES
Actor Freddie Highmore gets animated as the voice of Astro Boy.
The movie is based on the popular Japanese manga, or comic books, created by the legendary Osamu Tezuka in the 1950s. The futuristic series followed the adventures of a crime-fighting robot named Astro Boy, built by scientist Dr. Tenma to replace his lost son, Tobio. Tenma packed Astro's body with amazing abilities, like super strength and super speed, to name a few. Yet, he still experiences human emotions.The manga was an instant hit, and was later made into a string of TV cartoon series (called anime in Japan) in the 1960s, the 1980s and in 2003, all of which aired around the world. Astro Boy creator Tezuka is often credited as the "Father of Anime," and the little robot himself is known as the Mickey Mouse of Japan.
Now, Astro Boy has been reinvented again for the big screen. Actor Freddie Highmore, of The Spiderwick Chronicles, gives voice to the robotic wonder. TFK chatted with the young star about what it's like to play such an iconic character.
TFK:
Were you familiar with Astro Boy before you got the part?
Freddie:
I became most familiar with him at the time that I was asked to do the role. We were doing a promotional tour in Japan, and just riding in from the airport, we passed Astro Boy stores and murals of him. One subway station was covered in this massive Astro Boy picture, which was amazing. At that moment, I saw how much excitement there is for the character.
TFK:
Did you do anything to prepare for the part?
Freddie:
I read a few of the manga comic strips. I never got to see the 1960s cartoon of Astro Boy--obviously, since I wasn't born yet! But I think what we've done with Astro Boy is we've brought him up to date in terms of his look and where he lives, Metro City. It's still an incredibly modern place, but modern for today's society rather than for back then. The animation is sleek and slick.
TFK:
What similarities, if any, do you think you share with your character?
Freddie:
I think everyone has something in common with Astro Boy, and I think that's why it's been so successful in the past. Everyone knows the feeling of being different. Astro is obviously human, but stuck inside a robot body. Everyone can relate to wanting to be accepted. The Astro Boy story reminds me a little bit of Pinocchio in that way. Pinocchio thinks like a human, but he's made of wood and he just wants to be like every other kid.
TFK:
Except that Astro has super strength, x-ray vision and can fly . . .
COURTESY SUMMIT ENTERTAINMENT
Astro stands tall with his new robot friend Zog.
Freddie:
[Laughs] Yeah. He thinks like everyone else, but he is a true super hero. He can fly and drill his way through solid rock. He's powered by this blue core of pure positive energy, so he just wants what's best for the world. He doesn't have any rottenness in him.
TFK:
What do you think makes a hero?
Freddie:
It's important for a hero to be someone who is realistic. I think Astro is a hero because people can relate to him and the fact that he's just got goodness in him. He wants to make the world a better place and to achieve that through non-violence. That's really admirable.
TFK:
Who's your hero?
Freddie:
I think in terms of acting, Johnny Depp would be my hero. I'm incredibly lucky [to have worked with him] and he's become a great friend as well. I look up to him, and I think he's a fantastic guy and a fantastic actor.
TFK:
What's your favorite Astro Boy power?
Freddie:
I'd love to be able to fly. I'm not sure I could use the butt machine guns that he has to the same effect that he does in the film! I think flying is the one that everyone would choose, just to be able to go wherever you want without a car and avoiding all the traffic jams.
TFK:
If you could build a robot, what would its abilities be?
Freddie:
If it could only have one, I'd love it to be able to transport me around the world. Then I wouldn't need to fly. You know, if it could just grab hold of you and fly a million miles around the world, it would be fantastic. No more long airline flights from London to Los Angeles. You would be there in a matter of seconds and you could be home by evening. It would be great.
TFK:
What would you like audiences to take away from the film?
Freddie:
I hope that it raises the question as to what makes us human beings. Is Astro human even though he has these amazing abilities that only a robot can have? I think it's quite a deep question. But I think everyone who sees it will have that going over his or her mind. Also, I just hope that everyone gets something out of it. There's humor, action and emotion. You laugh one moment and then you cry the next. It's really a rollercoaster.
TFK:
Do you feel the film lives up to the vision of Astro Boy that Osamu Tezuka created?
Freddie:
Definitely. There's so much Astro Boy material that we couldn't use everything, but I think we've done it justice.
Max-I definitely don’t like to watch Astro Boy, but this time in October, The new Astro Boy movie came out in America. I think it is a good movie, but I still can’t watch it now!
I know that Astro Boy is made by Japan, and he and his friends go to fight crime. I have an Astro Boy pencil case, and I know that there are three friends to help him. But there is also some changes in the original and movie edition! I know that he is half naked in the original, and he didn’t wear any shirts. And I don’t know a fun thing in the original, he can shoot laser out from his bottom! He also has many new friends, like Zog the big robot etc. But why does the movie come out from America? I don’t know, but never mind. Let’s enjoy the movie of Astro Boy!
Actor Freddie Highmore voices the famous boy robot in a new animated adventure, in theaters now
By Vickie An
Look, up in the sky! It's a bird, it's a plane, it's a . . . flying boy? Yes, but not just any boy -- Astro Boy. The famous Japanese cartoon character soars into movie theaters in an all-new animated tale, now playing.
KELVIN JONES
Actor Freddie Highmore gets animated as the voice of Astro Boy.
The movie is based on the popular Japanese manga, or comic books, created by the legendary Osamu Tezuka in the 1950s. The futuristic series followed the adventures of a crime-fighting robot named Astro Boy, built by scientist Dr. Tenma to replace his lost son, Tobio. Tenma packed Astro's body with amazing abilities, like super strength and super speed, to name a few. Yet, he still experiences human emotions.The manga was an instant hit, and was later made into a string of TV cartoon series (called anime in Japan) in the 1960s, the 1980s and in 2003, all of which aired around the world. Astro Boy creator Tezuka is often credited as the "Father of Anime," and the little robot himself is known as the Mickey Mouse of Japan.
Now, Astro Boy has been reinvented again for the big screen. Actor Freddie Highmore, of The Spiderwick Chronicles, gives voice to the robotic wonder. TFK chatted with the young star about what it's like to play such an iconic character.
TFK:
Were you familiar with Astro Boy before you got the part?
Freddie:
I became most familiar with him at the time that I was asked to do the role. We were doing a promotional tour in Japan, and just riding in from the airport, we passed Astro Boy stores and murals of him. One subway station was covered in this massive Astro Boy picture, which was amazing. At that moment, I saw how much excitement there is for the character.
TFK:
Did you do anything to prepare for the part?
Freddie:
I read a few of the manga comic strips. I never got to see the 1960s cartoon of Astro Boy--obviously, since I wasn't born yet! But I think what we've done with Astro Boy is we've brought him up to date in terms of his look and where he lives, Metro City. It's still an incredibly modern place, but modern for today's society rather than for back then. The animation is sleek and slick.
TFK:
What similarities, if any, do you think you share with your character?
Freddie:
I think everyone has something in common with Astro Boy, and I think that's why it's been so successful in the past. Everyone knows the feeling of being different. Astro is obviously human, but stuck inside a robot body. Everyone can relate to wanting to be accepted. The Astro Boy story reminds me a little bit of Pinocchio in that way. Pinocchio thinks like a human, but he's made of wood and he just wants to be like every other kid.
TFK:
Except that Astro has super strength, x-ray vision and can fly . . .
COURTESY SUMMIT ENTERTAINMENT
Astro stands tall with his new robot friend Zog.
Freddie:
[Laughs] Yeah. He thinks like everyone else, but he is a true super hero. He can fly and drill his way through solid rock. He's powered by this blue core of pure positive energy, so he just wants what's best for the world. He doesn't have any rottenness in him.
TFK:
What do you think makes a hero?
Freddie:
It's important for a hero to be someone who is realistic. I think Astro is a hero because people can relate to him and the fact that he's just got goodness in him. He wants to make the world a better place and to achieve that through non-violence. That's really admirable.
TFK:
Who's your hero?
Freddie:
I think in terms of acting, Johnny Depp would be my hero. I'm incredibly lucky [to have worked with him] and he's become a great friend as well. I look up to him, and I think he's a fantastic guy and a fantastic actor.
TFK:
What's your favorite Astro Boy power?
Freddie:
I'd love to be able to fly. I'm not sure I could use the butt machine guns that he has to the same effect that he does in the film! I think flying is the one that everyone would choose, just to be able to go wherever you want without a car and avoiding all the traffic jams.
TFK:
If you could build a robot, what would its abilities be?
Freddie:
If it could only have one, I'd love it to be able to transport me around the world. Then I wouldn't need to fly. You know, if it could just grab hold of you and fly a million miles around the world, it would be fantastic. No more long airline flights from London to Los Angeles. You would be there in a matter of seconds and you could be home by evening. It would be great.
TFK:
What would you like audiences to take away from the film?
Freddie:
I hope that it raises the question as to what makes us human beings. Is Astro human even though he has these amazing abilities that only a robot can have? I think it's quite a deep question. But I think everyone who sees it will have that going over his or her mind. Also, I just hope that everyone gets something out of it. There's humor, action and emotion. You laugh one moment and then you cry the next. It's really a rollercoaster.
TFK:
Do you feel the film lives up to the vision of Astro Boy that Osamu Tezuka created?
Freddie:
Definitely. There's so much Astro Boy material that we couldn't use everything, but I think we've done it justice.
Max-I definitely don’t like to watch Astro Boy, but this time in October, The new Astro Boy movie came out in America. I think it is a good movie, but I still can’t watch it now!
I know that Astro Boy is made by Japan, and he and his friends go to fight crime. I have an Astro Boy pencil case, and I know that there are three friends to help him. But there is also some changes in the original and movie edition! I know that he is half naked in the original, and he didn’t wear any shirts. And I don’t know a fun thing in the original, he can shoot laser out from his bottom! He also has many new friends, like Zog the big robot etc. But why does the movie come out from America? I don’t know, but never mind. Let’s enjoy the movie of Astro Boy!
2009/10/07
Saturn's Super-Sized Ring
October 7, 2009
Saturn's Super-Sized Ring
NASA scientists discover a huge new ring around Saturn
By Suzanne Zimbler
When you think of Saturn, you probably picture a planet surrounded by colorful rings. For years, Saturn was known to have seven main rings. But on Tuesday, NASA scientists announced that they had spotted an eighth.
NASA/PA/AP
Saturn's never-before-seen ring is the largest in the solar system.
This never-before-seen ring is not only Saturn's biggest. It is also the largest in our solar system. "This is one super-sized ring," said Anne Verbiscer, one of the astronomers who worked on the study. According to scientists, the ring is so huge that it would take one billion Earths to fill it.
Seeing Rings
Four hundred years ago, Galileo got the first glimpse of Saturn's rings using his telescope. NASA scientists also used a telescope to spot the new ring. The Spitzer telescope, launched in 2003, orbits the sun while taking pictures of faraway objects in space.
The new ring is almost invisible to the human eye. But the Spitzer telescope can detect the glow of extremely cold objects, such as the giant ring, which is minus 316ºF. "By focusing on the glow of the ring's cool dust, Spitzer made it easy to find," said Verbiscer.
Made of Moondust
NASA Scientists think the giant ring is made up of dust from Saturn's moon Phoebe.
The colossal hoop circles Saturn from a distance of eight million miles. It is 50 times farther away from Saturn than the planet's other rings. It also has a completely different tilt.
The giant ring is made up of a thin layer of dust. Scientists think the dust comes from Saturn's moon Phoebe. Why? Phoebe orbits within the ring. Its dents and marks make it clear that Phoebe has been hit many times by space rocks and clumps of ice. Each time Phoebe is hit, dust flies into space and goes into orbit, adding particles to the giant ring.
Moon-Made Mystery
The discovery of the new ring may also provide scientists with an answer to a mystery. Another of Saturn's moons, lapetus, has a bright side and a very dark side. Scientists have long wondered why. With the discovery of the new ring, they now believe that dust from the giant ring is moving toward Saturn and slamming into lapetus.
"Astronomers have long suspected that there is a connection between Phoebe and the dark material on lapetus," said scientist Douglas Hamilton. "This new ring provides convincing evidence of that relationship.
Max-I know that many planets have very big rings, and all of them are made of gas. But when now the scientists discovered another huge ring on Saturn, I felt very interested in this discovery.
I knew that there are 8 planets in the solar system, when Pluto was renamed as a dwarf planet in August 2006. I also know that planets like Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune and Uranus are made of gas and it has rings. And I know that the temperature in the planets, some are hot (like Venus), and some are cold (such as the planets far away). I also know that in Mars, Olympus Mons is three times the height as Mount Everest, and it has many red spots too. But this time I was very excited to know there was a very big ring on Saturn!
Saturn's Super-Sized Ring
NASA scientists discover a huge new ring around Saturn
By Suzanne Zimbler
When you think of Saturn, you probably picture a planet surrounded by colorful rings. For years, Saturn was known to have seven main rings. But on Tuesday, NASA scientists announced that they had spotted an eighth.
NASA/PA/AP
Saturn's never-before-seen ring is the largest in the solar system.
This never-before-seen ring is not only Saturn's biggest. It is also the largest in our solar system. "This is one super-sized ring," said Anne Verbiscer, one of the astronomers who worked on the study. According to scientists, the ring is so huge that it would take one billion Earths to fill it.
Seeing Rings
Four hundred years ago, Galileo got the first glimpse of Saturn's rings using his telescope. NASA scientists also used a telescope to spot the new ring. The Spitzer telescope, launched in 2003, orbits the sun while taking pictures of faraway objects in space.
The new ring is almost invisible to the human eye. But the Spitzer telescope can detect the glow of extremely cold objects, such as the giant ring, which is minus 316ºF. "By focusing on the glow of the ring's cool dust, Spitzer made it easy to find," said Verbiscer.
Made of Moondust
NASA Scientists think the giant ring is made up of dust from Saturn's moon Phoebe.
The colossal hoop circles Saturn from a distance of eight million miles. It is 50 times farther away from Saturn than the planet's other rings. It also has a completely different tilt.
The giant ring is made up of a thin layer of dust. Scientists think the dust comes from Saturn's moon Phoebe. Why? Phoebe orbits within the ring. Its dents and marks make it clear that Phoebe has been hit many times by space rocks and clumps of ice. Each time Phoebe is hit, dust flies into space and goes into orbit, adding particles to the giant ring.
Moon-Made Mystery
The discovery of the new ring may also provide scientists with an answer to a mystery. Another of Saturn's moons, lapetus, has a bright side and a very dark side. Scientists have long wondered why. With the discovery of the new ring, they now believe that dust from the giant ring is moving toward Saturn and slamming into lapetus.
"Astronomers have long suspected that there is a connection between Phoebe and the dark material on lapetus," said scientist Douglas Hamilton. "This new ring provides convincing evidence of that relationship.
Max-I know that many planets have very big rings, and all of them are made of gas. But when now the scientists discovered another huge ring on Saturn, I felt very interested in this discovery.
I knew that there are 8 planets in the solar system, when Pluto was renamed as a dwarf planet in August 2006. I also know that planets like Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune and Uranus are made of gas and it has rings. And I know that the temperature in the planets, some are hot (like Venus), and some are cold (such as the planets far away). I also know that in Mars, Olympus Mons is three times the height as Mount Everest, and it has many red spots too. But this time I was very excited to know there was a very big ring on Saturn!
2009/10/03
Chien-Ming Wang
October 3, 2009
Chien-Ming Wang
By Max
Chien-Ming Wang is a great pitcher in America’s Baseball League, and many fans like him very much. But I know that in 2009, he was badly hurt, and he can’t throw now. The team coach maybe will not sign the contract, and kick him out of his team.
Chien-Ming Wang was a good baseball player when he was little, and he played well in his elementary baseball team. When he grew up, he played for many teams in Taiwan, and he got better than before. The American Baseball League saw him doing well, and wanted to sign a contract. Wang chose the Yankees because he can get several million NT dollars a year. He started playing in 2005, and got many wins in 2005-2007. But he was injured in 2008 and 2009, one time each year, and he can’t play. I wish he wouldn’t been kicked out of the team because he was a excellent pitcher.
Chien-Ming Wang
By Max
Chien-Ming Wang is a great pitcher in America’s Baseball League, and many fans like him very much. But I know that in 2009, he was badly hurt, and he can’t throw now. The team coach maybe will not sign the contract, and kick him out of his team.
Chien-Ming Wang was a good baseball player when he was little, and he played well in his elementary baseball team. When he grew up, he played for many teams in Taiwan, and he got better than before. The American Baseball League saw him doing well, and wanted to sign a contract. Wang chose the Yankees because he can get several million NT dollars a year. He started playing in 2005, and got many wins in 2005-2007. But he was injured in 2008 and 2009, one time each year, and he can’t play. I wish he wouldn’t been kicked out of the team because he was a excellent pitcher.
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