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Return to TOPS newsletters '01
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Can you Help?
The second spring meeting for our TOPS 2001 teachers is on Saturday evening,
April 7. This year we have two teachers from Kauai and one from Lanai. We
would like these teachers to be able to stay for the entire star party. This
means they would need to fly home on Sunday morning. Would any of you in the
Honolulu area, teachers or students, be able to host one of the teachers
overnight? TOPS staff can transport a teacher to your home and take the
teacher to the airport on Sunday morning. Please contact Bev immediately if
you can help.
Teacher Tidbits
- The TOPS staff is beginning to work with the Hawaii DOE to cooperate in
professional development projects. If you have specific requests for ways
the DOE can help you complete TOPS requirements, please send your ideas to
Bev. We have already requested recruiting and logistical help with
workshops.
- DOE officials report that teachers cannot receive Professional Development
credits for TOPS. However, you can take TOPS for University of Hawaii
credit. Then TOPS still counts toward an increased salary level.
Hawaii Strike Updates
For those of you who live outside Hawaii, the big news in Hawaii is that
public school teachers and University of Hawaii faculty will most likely be
going on strike next month. This is a difficult time for everyone involved.
TOPS activities and schedules will proceed as planned.
February Star Party Report
Victor Kim, Sandy Hagstrom, Clyde Kobashigawa, Tom Chun, Alyce Ikeoka,
Tiffany Llenos, Serena Dameron, Melissa Ferriera, Dominic Kick, Mary
Kadooka, George Bendo, Michael Connelley, and Karen Meech enjoyed
beautifully clear skies at the February star party at Dillingham Field. They
were able to view Venus, Saturn, Jupiter, M42 (Orion Nebula), Pleiades, the
Cone nebula, etc. The group got to try out the new computerized telescope on
loan to TOPS from Meade. The new Meade worked admirably, although the
computer sometimes got confused.
TOPS Alumnae Report
- Mary Heaton's Twins - TOPS 2000 teacher Mary Heaton is
expecting twins. Congratulations to Mary and her husband.
- Chad Nishizuka, from Kailua High School and TOPS 2000, won
third place at his district science fair with his TOPS project on
astrobiology. Chad was inspired by the NASA astrobiologists at TOPS to
do an experiment growing penicillin at low atmospheric pressure. Chad
will be moving on to the state fair now. Good luck, Chad.
Hawaii Astronomy Developments
Below are two press releases with exciting news about the IRTF and the Keck
Interferometer on Mauna Kea. Each article lists Web sites with further
information and photos.
Internet Resources
- Check out the photos at http://www.foranimage.com for some
spectacular PC wallpaper. To download the image from the Web to your
PC, move your cursor over the photo you want and right-click. Then
choose one of the options on the pop-up menu.
- The Scout Report for Science & Engineering, February 14, 2001, lists Web
sites for the Cassini and NEAR missions: CICLOPS Cassini Imaging Central Laboratory for Operations. ave you ever wanted to take a close look at mighty Jupiter? Now, images of
Jupiter from NASA's Cassini Spacecraft are available from the Cassini
Imaging Central Laboratory for Operations (CICLOPS). Most recently, Cassini
captured images of Jupiter's brightest outer satellite, Himalia. Other
dazzling images include Jupiter's red spot, its polar haze, and .gif
animations of storms on Jupiter (very large files). A diary of Cassini
activities and a description and schematics of the imaging system are also
featured.
- Two on Eros Asteroid Landing: Touchdown
on Eros, and Scout Report
for Science and Engineering for more Eros-related resources.
Contact Information
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