Mystery Class Update: March 5, 1999 Today's Report Includes: Once in a Blue Moon? Seeing the Light? Discussion of Challenge Question #1 This Week's Sunrise/Sunset Times Once in a Blue Moon? Courtesy Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Copyright(c) California Institute of Technology,Pasadena, CA. All rights reserved. Based on government-sponsored research under contract NAS7-1260. A "Blue Moon"--having two full moons in the same calendar month--will occur during March, and there was also a Blue Moon in January! On average, a Blue Moon only occurs about once every 2.72 years, and having two Blue Moons in a single year is even rarer, occurring only about once every 19 years! Can't wait that long? Get moonstruck at these Web sites: Earth and Moon Viewer: View the Moon from the Earth, Sun, night side, formations on the lunar surface, or as a map showing day and night. Solar System Simulator : View any planet in our solar system from any other planet. The Old Farmer's Almanac's Heavenly Details for March : Describes the astronomical events occurring this month. Seeing The Light? Discussion of Challenge Question #1 Last week we asked "How do seasonal changes in photoperiod affect your animal's food web?" Generally, the longer the photoperiod, such as in spring and summer,the more food that will be available. This is because the added sunlight and heat in spring and summer make plants grow, and the plants provide food for plant-eating animals, and these plant-eating animals can then be available as food for animals which prey on them. Also, the added sunlight and heat warm the air and thaw frozen soil and lakes, making other foods such as worms, insects and fish available too. On the other hand, the shorter the photoperiod, such as in fall and winter, the less food that will be available. The reduced amount of sunlight and heat means fewer plants are available for plant-eating animals, and fewer worms, insects and fish too, and therefore less food is available for animals that prey on these food sources. For an example of an animal food "Webbing Activity" take a look at the lesson below: Seeing the Light Lesson (page 93 of the printed Teacher's Manual) This Week's Sunrise/Sunset Times Mrs. Berger's 5th Grade Class Thankfully, Mrs. Berger and her students gather the data more often than "once in a Blue Moon"! In fact, they're as regular as sunrise and sunset, and have provided this week's data for you below. (Remember, this information was recorded on Monday, the same day you collected your sunrise/sunset data.) Journey North Mystery Class Sunrise/Sunset Data Data For: Monday, March 1, 1999 Mystery Class Sunrise Sunset # 1 06:39 18:29 # 2 08:37 18:45 # 3 06:33 19:23 # 4 06:39 17:54 # 5 04:56 23:08 # 6 06:32 18:34 # 7 06:17 17:46 # 8 06:01 18:37 # 9 07:14 18:02 # 10 06:52 18:36 The Next Mystery Class Update Will be Posted on March 12, 1999. Copyright 1999 Journey North. All Rights Reserved. Please send all questions, comments, and suggestions to our feedback form