Into Space!

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This year's primary school concert was themed "Into Space" and the children spent a few weeks learning about space travel and astronomy. 
Thomas's class learnt the order of the planets using a German mnemonic: Mein Vater erklärt mir jeden Sonntag unsere Nachthimmel. 
(Mercury Venus Earth Mars Jupiter Saturn Uranus Neptune)
(Where's Pluto? Pluto was downgraded from planet to dwarf planet status in 2006).


Thomas had to learn a speech about Alexej Leonov, the cosmonaut to do the first spacewalk, which after a few weeks of practising we all new off by heart.
This was Ben's first big school concert and he was a space rocket, but didn't seem very thrilled with being on stage. I think after all the rehearsals the shine had worn off and he just wanted it all to be over!

Click on to enlarge!

Then last Saturday we went to the special show for children the planetarium in Jo'burg and we all learnt quite a bit more...


We've been looking for constellations in the night sky with the help of a sky map we downloaded from the planetarium. 
Sky maps are also available here. (Make sure you get the right one for your hemisphere.;))


On Tuesday evening just after 6:57pm we were very lucky to see the International Space Station and the space shuttle Endeavour passing over us. Who would have guessed so much excitement could be caused by two brightly flickering "stars"? It's especially poignant as it's Endeavour's last flight.


Thomas has learnt to "Google" in the past few months and had fun looking up stuff about NASA. 
NASA has an excellent website with live space feeds. http://www.nasa.gov/

Read more (click on below): 
The launch and docking of Endeavour (fab summary with great pics)
The Twitter photo that launched a woman to instant fame (you must see this!)

And before it's too late don't forget to watch out for the gathering of planets at dawn! I've been treated to this on my early morning runs - really amazing if you get up early enough and have a clear view: See the tightest gathering of planets this century!


♥Love from "stars in my eyes" Sam