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Welcome to Civil Air Patrol Texas Wing – Aerospace Education Newsletter– Spring 2016

SKYWARD Lisa Brown, Major

Editor

A. Levent Vural, LtCol.

Director of Aerospace Education

Texas Wing, CAP

What is El Nino? You may have heard in the news that

this is an El Nino year and it will be the strongest in recorded history. El Nino is a condition that occurs in the Pacific Ocean and affects weather all over the world, which occurs every two to seven years. During normal, non-El Nino years, the trade winds blow west across the tropical Pacific Ocean. The water surface temperature is approximately 80 Celsius warmer in the west and cooler temperatures occur off the coast of S. America. This cooler water is rich in nutrients which, in turn, supports marine ecosystems and fisheries.

Contrastly, during El Nino years, the warm water shifts east leading to trade winds weakening along the equator causing the atmospheric pressure to rise in the central and western Pacific Ocean and fall in the eastern Pacific. There is a decrease in the upwelling of sea water causing a rise in surface temperatures. Deep cumulus clouds and heavy rains will also migrate eastward during El Nino years. Water vapor condensates into liquid water releasing heat into the middle and upper troposphere. This heat is a source of energy which helps drive the global winds. These altered circulation patterns produces droughts, floods, heat waves, and other extremes in the weather that have serious economic, social, and public health consequences. The good news is El Nino brings milder winters in North America and less hurricane formations.

The global consequences are vast when a ripple effect occurs in the ocean-atmospheric system. There is a shift in tropical rainfall thus the wind patterns are affected for much of the world. In normal years, the rain is centered over Indonesia and the far western Pacific but during El Nino, the rain moves eastward in the central pacific.

During wintertime in El Nino years, western Canada is mild as well as parts of the northern U.S. Texas to Florida will be wetter. Droughts occurs in Indonesia, northeastern Brazil, souhthern Africa, Australia, and neighboring countries. Islands in the central Pacific, the west coast of S. America, southern Brazil, Uruguay, Peru, all experience heavy rains. The Indian monsoon summer rains weaken in El Nino years.

Additionally, there are ecosystem ramifications of El Nino. The decreased upwelling does not bring up phytoplankton necessary to support the food sources for the numereous organisms in the ocean, especially in the tropical and subtropical regions.

s Sea birds, fish, and other marine mammals die off or experience reproductive failures or abandonment of young due to the scarce food supply.

Coral bleaching has been known to occur when water temperatures become too warm. Coral reef systems support local fisheries and provide income from tourists. A reduction in fish causes a decrease in the fishing industry thus, affecting global economies and food shortages. Disruptions in agriculture, forestry, transportation, comminucations, generation of power, disease outbreaks become significant during El Nino years. For example, livestock is lost due to droughts or flood, food and drinking,

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water shortages, raging forest fires and contaminated water that contributes to outbreaks of cholera and dysentery. NASA’s Earth-observing satellites help monitor these and other global impacts. These satellites help scientists to understand components of the water and energy cycles. For example, evaporation, ice extent, soil moisture, weather, climate, ground water, and transpiration. One of these satellites is the Global Precipitation Measurement Mission (GPM). This international satellite mission launched in February, 2014 by NASA and the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). The GPM will help advance the understanding of Earth’s water and energy cycles, improve forecasting of weather events, improve capabilities of the use of satellites to monitor precipitation. This mission is setting new standards for measurements of precipitation by using a network of satellites. Scientist use the satelite data to develop highly accurate climate data records; develop and provide data analysis algorithms; and improve scientific understanding.

As with all NASA missions, there is an education component added to this mission. There are topics related to the hydrologic cycle, precipitation, water and life, remote sensing, weather and climate, and satellites. Resources include videos, images, interactive games, and lessons. For more information on GPM and the available resources, please visit the NASA website at http://pmm.nasa.gov/education/

References: NASA and NOAA

marine mammals diuctive failures orPhoto credit: NASA

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Hypothetical Planet X Adapted from http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/planets/planetx/indepth After Pluto’s demotion to Dwarf Planet, school children have been taught the solar system planet order with the mnemonic “My Very Eager Mother Just Served Us Nachos.” Caltech researchers have found evidence suggesting there may be a "Planet X" deep in the solar system. This hypothetical Neptune-sized planet orbits our sun in a highly elongated orbit far beyond Pluto. The object, which the researchers have nicknamed "Planet Nine," could have a mass about 10 times that of Earth and orbit about 20 times farther from the sun on average than Neptune. It may take between 10,000 and 20,000 Earth years to make one full orbit around the sun. In January 2015, Caltech astronomers Konstantin Batygin and Mike Brown announced this new research that provides evidence of a giant planet tracing an unusual, elongated orbit in the outer solar system. The prediction is based on detailed mathematical modeling and computer simulations, not direct observation.

NASA cautions “The announcement does not mean there is a new planet in our solar system.” The existence of this distant world is only theoretical at this point and no direct observation of the object has been made. The mathematical prediction of a planet could explain the unique orbits of at least 5 smaller objects in the Kuiper Belt, a distant region of icy debris that extends far beyond the orbit of Neptune. Astronomers are now searching for the predicted planet. "The possibility of a new planet is certainly an exciting one for me as a planetary scientist and for all of us," said Jim Green, director of NASA's Planetary Science Division. "This is not, however, the detection or discovery of a new planet. It's too early to say with certainty there's a so-called Planet X. What we're seeing is an early prediction based on modeling from limited observations. It's the start of a process that could lead to an exciting result."

WHEN WAS IT DISCOVERED? Planet X has not yet been discovered, and there is debate in the scientific community about whether it exists. The prediction in the Jan. 20 issue of the Astronomical Journal is based on mathematical modeling. This is what is so fascinating about science! As scientists gather new and additional data, new discoveries are being made; theories are changing, cures for diseases are occurring.

WHAT IS ITS NAME? Batygin and Brown nicknamed their predicted object "Planet Nine," but the actual naming rights of an object go to the person who actually discovers it. The name used during previous hunts for the long suspected giant, undiscovered object beyond Neptune is "Planet X.”

2If the predicted planet is found, the name must be approved by the International Astronomical Union. Planets are traditionally named for mythological Roman gods. Jupiter is named after the Roman god Jupiter who was the master of the other gods and the main god of the Romans; Mars is named for the Roman god of war – the most fearsome god; Venus is named for the goddess of love and beauty (however the planet is not one of love but of sulfuric acid). My vote is Minerva. She was the goddess of wisdom, learning, arts and craft, and industry. This new discovery is helping scientist learn more about our solar system.

WHY DO THEY THINK IT IS THERE? Astronomers studying the Kuiper Belt have noticed some of the dwarf planets and other small, icy objects tend to follow orbits that cluster together. By analyzing these orbits, the Caltech team predicted the possibility that a large, previously undiscovered planet may be hiding far beyond Pluto. They estimate the gravity of this potential planet might explain the unusual orbits of those Kuiper objects.

WHAT'S NEXT? Astronomers, including Batygin and Brown, will begin using the world's most powerful telescopes to search for the object in its predicted orbit. Any object that far away from the sun will be very faint and hard to detect, but astronomers calculate that it should be possible to see it using existing telescopes.

"I would love to find it," says Brown. "But I'd also be perfectly happy if someone else found it. That is why we're publishing this paper. We hope that other people are going to get inspired and start searching."

"Anytime we have an interesting idea like this, we always apply Carl Sagan's rules for critical thinking, which include independent confirmation of the facts, looking for alternate explanations, and encouraging scientific debate," said Green. "If Planet X is out there, we'll find it together. Or we'll determine an alternate explanation for the data that we've received so far.”

Photo credit: NASA

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New Professional Development & Resources Available Space Shuttle Thermal Protective Tiles and Blankets Available for Educational Use - NASA invites eligible U.S. educational institutions and museums to request space shuttle thermal protective tiles, space shuttle thermal protective blankets and other special items offered on a first-come, first-served basis while quantities last. Organizations previously allocated thermal protective tiles may request an additional three tiles. There will be a nominal shipping fee that must be paid online with a credit card. http://gsaxcess.gov/htm/nasa/userguide/Special_Item_Request_Procedure.pdf

Aeronautics For Introductory Physics - With You When You Fly: Aeronautics for Introductory Physics is a collection of inquiry-based interactive demonstrations, labs, and data/literary analysis activities for cadets. These activities showcase real-world applications and can be used to teach fundamental physics concepts. http://www.aeronautics.nasa.gov/pdf/aero-intro-physics.pdf Help NASA Find New Planetary Systems -- Become a Disk Detective! Help NASA find new disks, homes of extrasolar planets, by classifying images from NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer telescope and other observatories. In this citizen science project, you'll view animated images of disk candidates and classify them, distinguishing good candidates from galaxies, asteroids and image artifacts. This project, suitable for elementary students through expert adults, will yield targets for the James Webb Space Telescope and publications in professional scientific literature.https://www.etouches.com/137758

Planets App - The app provides a 3D guide to the solar system for aspiring astronomers. K-12 students and teachers can hold their phone or tablet to the sky, and the new automatic orientation feature of this app provides a virtual reality view using the device’s magnetometer, accelerometer, and gyroscope. The Planets app is available at https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/planets/id305793334?mt=8 https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.qcontinuum.planets&hl=en Quadcopter Classes - While supporting the SEEC conference and TOP flight events during the day, LtCol Vural and 1stLT Bonica spent the evenings to build the quadcopter donated by CAP national HQ. TX-360 will start classes for the cadets to fly the quadcopter this month. Stay tuned for more information forthcoming about this wonderful opportunity.

What’s Up? Skywatch

What’s Up? SkywatchMarch 15th – First Quarter Moon–The First Quarter Moon rises around noon and sets around 3:15am. It will dominate the evening sky.

March 20th – March Equinox – The March equinox occurs at 04:30 UTC. The Sun will shine directly on the equator and there will be nearly equal amounts of day and night throughout the world. This is also the first day of spring (vernal equinox) in the Northern Hemisphere and the first day of fall (autumnal equinox) in the Southern Hemisphere.

March 23rd – Full Moon –The Moon will rise around sunset and sets around sunrise. This is the only month when the moon is in the sky all night long. This moon is also known as the Worm Moon, Crow Moon, Sap Moon, or Lenten Moon.

March 31st – Last Quarter - The Last Quarter Moon rises around 2:15 a.m. and sets around 12:15 p.m. It is most easily seen just after sunrise in the southern sky. This is the second of two Last Quarter Moons this month.

April 22nd - Lyrid meteor shower –lasts from about April 16 to 25. Unfortunately, in 2016, the full moon almost exactly coincides with the peak of the Lyrid meteor shower. About 10 to 15 meteors per hour can be expected around the shower’s peak on a dark, moonless night. Lyrid meteors tend to be bright and often leave trails, so maybe a meteor or two might overcome the drenching light of the full moon in 2016. The Lyrids are known for uncommon surges that can sometimes bring the rate up to 100 per hour.

Opportunities

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Soaring to New Heights

KUDOS to all Aerospace Education Officers and Aerospace Education Members! For the 2016 Compliance Inspection, Texas Wing Aerospace Education was rated “Highly Successful.” This would not be possible without the hard work all of you do to submit your required reports in a timely manner as well as the conscientious, committed, and tireless dedication to implement aerospace education programs for cadets and senior members and your promotion of aerospace in schools to inspire the next generation of explorers. THANK YOU for all you do for CAP!

Aerospace Education Stats

Yeager Awards 49.11 % Legend

Master Rating this FY: 1

Yeager Counts

Current Year: 35

Total: 774

Specialty Track Counts

Current Year Total

Master: 0

Senior: 0

Technician: 3

None: 18

Master: 32

Senior: 40

Technician: 79

None: 168

AEX Participation Counts

AEX Units: 25

AEX Schools: 45

AEM/AEO Counts

AEM: 176

AEO: 159

Membership stats

Current Overall: 3337 Current Cadets: 1669 Current Seniors: 1576

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Civil Air Patrol Inspires Teachers at Space Center

Houston’s Space Exploration Educators Conference

and Coordinates TOP Flights

By Major Kate Schoessler

HOUSTON, Texas - Feb. 4 - 6, 2016 K-12 Teachers gathered from all over the World to learn about integrating Aerospace Education and STEM into their classrooms at the annual Space Exploration Educators Conference (SEEC). The event, which was hosted by Space Center Houston, is the premier Aerospace Education outreach activity specifically for teachers conducted by NASA Johnson Space Center. This year marks the seventh consecutive year Civil Air Patrol (CAP) has participated in the conference.

During the event, teachers attended seminars, toured behind the scenes at Johnson Space Center, heard a special presentation by an astronaut, and gathered information from organizations that work in the aerospace industry. CAP’s National Aerospace Education team, Debbie Dahl, Sue Mercer and Ginny Smith, as well as the Texas Wing Director of Aerospace Education, Levent Vural, manned a booth filled with information and hands-on-demonstrations of CAP’s STEM Kit Program, which includes hands-on Astronomy, Model and Remote Control Aircraft, Robotics, Rocketry, and Flight Simulator equipment. Teachers and CAP squadrons alike can apply to receive the kit free of charge, and prior aerospace experience is not required since the packet includes a detailed syllabus and instructions.

The Aerospace Education team also presented the STEM Kit Program to all of the event’s attendees during a seminar.

CAP supported the event in other ways, too. At the nearby Ellington Field, members of CAP’s Texas Wing flew educators as part of CAP’s Teacher Orientation Program (TOP). With excellent weather conditions, detailed planning, and skillful execution by its members, CAP was able to provide orientation flights to 59 teachers in Cessna 172 and GippsAero GA8 aircraft. For many of the teachers, their CAP-provided orientation flight, which allowed them the opportunity to take control of the aircraft and receive introductory instruction in the basics of aviation, was the first time they had flown in a small aircraft. CAP’s Ellington Composite Squadron assisted with ground coordination and transporting teachers to and from Space Center Houston and Ellington Airport. The teachers left the airfield with smiles, pictures, and great stories to share with their students.

The success of the SEEC program will ultimately lead to increased aerospace and STEM learning opportunities for students of all ages. Through its support of the event each year, CAP continues to reinforce the important role Aerospace Education has in classrooms to teachers across the nation and around the globe.

Next year, Space Center Houston hosts its 23rd Annual Space Exploration Educators Conference on February 9-11, 2017 at Space Center Houston. You can join Space Center Houston’s Facebook page to get updates about the center and SEEC. Please think about presenting your innovated CAP activtiies to an audience of international educators. https://www.facebook.com/SpaceCenterHouston

The National AE Staff manning the CAP booth

Wing AE Staff manning CAP booth and assiting educators on STEM kits

AEMs who flew TOP Flights at Ellington Airport