Moon Rock Hoax

In this photo released by the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam on Thursday, Aug. 27, 2009, a rock supposedly brought back from the moon, and a note from the then-U.S. ambassador is seen. The Dutch national museum says one of its prized possessions, a rock supposedly brought back from the moon by U.S. astronauts, is just a piece of petrified wood. The rock, which the museum at one point insured for more than half a million dollars, was worth no more than $70. A jagged fist-size stone with reddish tints, it was mounted and placed above a plaque that said, " ... to commemorate the visit to The Netherlands of the Apollo-11 astronauts." The plaque does not specify that the rock came from the moon's surface!The museum has decided to keep the "rock" as a curiosity.

So what's your opinion - was the museum mislead? Would you keep the rock on display?? Thoughts? Comments?

You can read the entire story at http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090827/ap_on_re_eu/eu_netherlands_not_moon_rock

The 400th Anniversary

Galileo’s Telescope Changed the World & Today Reaches Its 400th Anniversary

Exactly 400 years ago today, on August 25, 1609, the Italian astronomer and philosopher Galilei Galileo showed Venetian merchants his new creation, a telescope – the instrument that was to bring him scientific immortality.

How would our scientific knowledge be different without the telescope?

What do you think is the most important discovery made using this instrument?

To find out more about the life & work of Galileo - you can visit:

http://www.lucidcafe.com/library/96feb/galileo.html

How Was Your First Week Back?

Welcome Back to the 2009-2010 School Year!

How was your first week? Any surprises? What made your first day/week special? What are you looking forward to this year? Share your impressions of this new school year.