Hank has been virtually schooling with us for the past week as in person school has been suspended until January or brighter COVID news. One of his homework assignments was to select an object from the solar systems, learn about it and make a three dimensional image of it. Hank chose black holes and build his vision of this astronomical phenomenon. We spent some time learning about those supermassive collapsed stars that are believed to be the center of galaxies. The idea that the black hole is a body so dense and of a magnitude that no light can escape was amazing. Our Milky Way galaxy likely circles the Sagittarius A black hole, several very complex theorems and actual observation allow the computation of a mass of 4.3 M and a radius of .002 light years. Put another way, Sagittarius A is as large as 4 million or our own Suns. Hank and I were a bit confused and impressed with Sir Isaac Newton’s late 1600’s equation which allows us to predict the orbital distance and speed of a planet like Earth based on the gravitational pull of the Sun. The gravitational pull of a “dark star” has been measured by many including Einstein in his theory of relativity and it has since advanced Newton’s inspired work in mechanics. As objects approach the black hole they reach a point from which there is no escape, the event horizon. The amazing scientists who have discovered the secrets of the solar system and the questions still to be answered are inspirational and awe inspiring. Hank can give you an overview of what we learned and his model is ready for class, wish him luck. May the force be with him.
I want to give you a run down on Mystery Doug and his educational question and answer videos. Kids call in questions and he gives a very creative, thorough, and entertaining response. How do we know the Earth is round? What do garbage trucks do with Garbage? What is at the bottom of the Ocean? Why are so many people scared of bugs? Hank watches these on school break and with his grandmother Oooma and myself. I am going to highlight the lesson on Trees. What is the biggest tree? Well it depends on if you are talking height, width, or weight. Before we got those answers we learned about the jabuticaba tree that is native to Brazil and distinctive for its grape like fruit that grows on the bark. I had never heard of the baobab tree of Africa, the tree is most awkward looking with a huge trunk and spindly limbs on top, it does produce a super fruit that gives it the name, “Tree of Life”.
The tallest tree grows in California and it is the Redwood, 380 magnificent feet tall. The Sequoia is the heaviest tree, tall and wide, the General Sherman tree is the largest living organism on earth. Kids are smart and the pandemic is forcing our teachers and parents to invest more time and innovation in educating our future leaders.
I cannot help but look forward to the Event Horizon of the term of the 45th President of the United States. I believe we can overcome the damage done over the past 4 years and learn from the threats he created for our democracy. Let’s pull together to build back better.
Wear a mask and keep us all safe. Mike
During the recess times he watches assigned videos that educate and entertain.