Friday, August 26, 2011

A Planet Made of Diamond? And Orbiting a Pulsar!!!


Credit: Reuters



Wow! Be sure to read this captivating story about a planet in our galactic backyard that appears to be made of densely packed carbon. Certainly, some of this planet consists of diamond.

What's more, this planet is orbiting a pulsar. Go PSC (see below). So, scientists have been able to learn some interesting things from it.

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Welcome Back!!!!!!


I hope that you have had a great summer full of fun and I hope that you may have learned something new as well!

This is a year of regeneration for astronomy, geology, and geology BRCC. Read here for some upcoming highlights for the 2010-2011 school year:

Geology -- We will be integrating some use of ArcView GIS when possible into classroom instruction. This is really great because GIS is used in industry and science a great deal and is also a promising, high-paying career path for those with an interest in computers, science, and geography. Otherwise, we will continue exploring the basics of traditional physical geology in both the classroom and through a variety of short and long field trips.

Geology BRCC -- You will be heavily introduced to GIS this year in the context of physical geology. Read above for more information on that, but we will be conducting a study to see if we can identify good sites to drill a large production groundwater well in the Broadway area. Last year, we focused on hydrofracking in Bergton, VA and that study is still available for viewing online.

Astronomy -- See the logo below? Broadway High School is now a member school in the Pulsar Search Collaboratory, a collaboration between the National Radio Astronomy Observatory and West Virginia University -- and now BHS! Several BHS students traveled to Green Bank, WV this summer to learn how to analyze and search for new, unknown pulsars using drift scan Green Bank Telescope data. All of you will receive the training and take the first test to do this also. However, you can then choose whether or not to take the second test and become a member of the PSC as well. It's not only a great resume builder for college apps, but has also scored at least one high school student a full ride to a university, so it can certainly be an awesome opportunity!