Blog
March 5, 2025
Hello everyone! Our next lesson is on constellations and stars, and it will take place on March 15th from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM. I was certainly very interested in this topic when I was young, and if you decide to go I may see you there!
Space News: Butch Newmore and Suni Williams are two astronauts that have been stuck in space since June 5th of 2024. They were sent into space as Boeing Starliner’s first test mission, and were expected to only spend eight days there. However, Boeing Starliner’s capsule was riddled with problems, such as helium leaks and issues with the thruster which engineers struggled to fix. Although these problems pose serious risks to the two astronauts, Starliner insisted that it was safe to have them take the capsule back to Earth. NASA disagreed, booking a flight with SpaceX instead. This turned their eight-day test trip into a journey which has lasted eight months. The astronauts are scheduled to return home in just a couple of weeks from now, since SpaceX has already issued a ride for them.
“We’re here. We have a mission. We’re just just doing what we do every day, and every day is interesting because we’re up in space and it’s a lot of fun.” said Williams.
– Fangyi
February 20th, 2025:
This February, we’ve been teaching our students all about Aerospace Engineering! Don’t worry if you’ve missed our February lessons, since we also have another lesson about Aerospace Engineering at Biblioteca Latinoamericana Branch Library on March 1st. Come join us!
Space News: On January 15, 2025, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifted off into space. This rocket is helping Swedish Artist Mikael Genberg accomplish his mission of placing the first building on the moon, a miniature-sized red Swedish house. The rocket is carrying the Japanese lunar lander "Resilience" which contains the lunar micro rover "Tenacious," which will transport and deploy the miniature house. This house with the size of a big hand is inspired by traditional Swedish red cottages from the Nordic countryside. This “Moonhouse” project has been in the making for 25 years, engineered to be able to withstand the journey to the moon and maintain its structure for thousands or even millions of years once placed on the moon. The artist, Genberg, hopes that the Moonhouse can become a "symbol of humanity's eternal pursuit of the unknown and unexplored," becoming an inspiration and fueling humanity’s drive for exploration of the world beyond Earth. The Moonhouse is expected to land on the Moon in approximately four months from takeoff, and we'll be provided pictures once it has successfully landed and placed on the moon!
- Que Tran
February 5th, 2025:
Hello everyone! Our next two lessons are on February 8th and February 15th, one on the Big Bang and distance in the universe and one on aerospace engineering.
Space News: Recently, samples from an asteroid named Bennu have provided some of the strongest evidence yet supporting the claim that life on Earth came from asteroids. The samples– formed 4.5 billion years ago during the birth of our solar system– were split between two different research teams, whose studies have revealed that Bennu was likely part of an ancient ocean from another planet. The salts on Bennu are similar to the ones found in the lake beds of the Mojave Desert, which had once been an ocean. Examination of the samples also revealed that Bennu contained organic molecules, such as nitrogen in the form of ammonia and even amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins. Some claim that combining these organic compounds with sodium rich water could have led to life, a plausible explanation for how life came to be on Earth.
–Fangyi
November 6th, 2024:
Come join us on November 9th at Cambrian Branch Library to learn about Dark Matter and Dark Energy! We'd be overjoyed to see many students interested in learning about this fascinating subject.
Look out for the Southern Taurids, a meteor shower, expected to reach its zenith on Tuesday, November 12th! The Southern Taurids have the best visibility on this day because the moon will just be a slim crescent, where it's 11% full. Due to the moon being small, the moonlight won't be drowning out the meteors and you'll be able to have a fantastic view. The meteors will only have short trains and will be faint, so the best way to experience this meteor shower is to look up at the sky at around midnight, and if possible, to get as far away from light pollution as you can. This meteor shower became active this year on September 23th, and is expected to last until December 8th. Hopefully, you'll be able to catch this meteor shower and have an enjoyable viewing experience!
-Que-Tran
September 15th, 2024:
Hello everyone, I hope you have had an amazing summer ahead! Some exciting news: at the lesson in Cambrian Library, Astro Revolution was awarded with the Mayors Award. I am so proud and thankful for the people apart of the volunteering effort. Nothing is possible without the support from these people, the coordinators at the library, and of course the kids who come to the lessons. Councilmember Batra from District 10 made a wonderful speech to all the kids at the lesson yesterday. Thank you to Councilmember Batra for showing the importance of contributing to your community!
May 20th, 2024:
Hello everyone! There currently aren't any lessons planned for the rest of May, but stay tuned for events in June!
Cool science news: A solar storm hit Earth, and so, in the afternoon on May 10 and the first few hours of May 11, almost the entirety of the Northern Hemisphere was able to witness a phenomenon called the northern lights from home. The northern lights, also known as an aurora, produce a natural light display in the sky full of patterns and a variety of colors. Although, aside from providing a spectacular sight, there's also a chance for satellites and power grids to be disrupted. This is due to the fact that the northern lights can cause some powerful magnetic fluctuations at the Earth's surface. There's not too much to worry about though! An aurora appearing doesn't guarantee disruptions in satellites and power grids, and if disruptions do appear, it's usually minor.
This type of solar storm doesn't happen often, and for many people, this is the first northern lights they've ever seen. A beautiful night sky full of purple, pink, and green colors, left many in awe, including people in my neighborhood!
-Que-Tran Nguyen
Credits: Above the Brocken early Saturday, May 11, 2024, in Schierke, northern Germany. (Matthias Bein/dpa via AP)
March 20th, 2024:
Hi everyone! We've been able to teach at so many different places and we've met so many new students. I hope to see even more new faces, keep an eye out for any upcoming events!
Cool space news: Back on August 26, 2023, four astronauts from four different countries took off to space for NASA's seventh commercial crew rotation mission to the International Space Station. Those four astronauts were NASA's Marine helicopter pilot Jasmin Moghbeli, Denmark’s Andreas Mogensen, Japan’s Satoshi Furukawa, and Russia’s Konstantin Borisov. To end off this half-year mission, these astronauts caught a lift back to Earth with a SpaceX Dragon capsule; they landed in the Gulf of Mexico last week, on March 12, 2024. Their long mission in space ended in a success and they're all safe at home! There’s so much to learn and study about in space, and I’m sure that this half-year experience is something that these four astronauts will never forget.
-Que-Tran Nguyen
February 20th, 2024:
It's amazing that there were so many students who got energetic and involved with their projects at our last competition. Learning in a fun way is extremely rewarding and we're glad we can let people experience this type of education. Come join us next week in our lesson about aerospace engineering!
Some recent space news: Japan’s flagship H3 rocket successfully reached orbit at an altitude of about 670 kilometers and released two satellites on February 17th. The H3 Launch Vehicle is a Japanese expendable launch system, with the main mission being to secure independent access to space for Japan and be competitive as international demand for satellite launches grows. Last March in the H3 rocket's debut flight, the H3 rocket failed to ignite its second-stage engine, causing the self-destruct command being sent out to the rocket and the rocket failing its mission of reaching orbit. Even though the first launch resulted in failure, this recent success of H3's second launch is a huge step towards their missions and for Japan's space program.
-Que-Tran Nguyen
February 5th, 2024:
Hi Everyone! Loved seeing all of you in our past meetings. Our next event is on February 10, which is a competition, a Race To Mars. And you might win some prizes…hope to see you there!
This week’s Space news: On January 25, 2024, NASA’s small Mars helicopter, called Ingenuity, finished its last flight because its rotor blades got damaged. Even though it’s still standing and talking to controllers, the $85 million mission is officially done, according to officials. Ingenuity flew 72 times in three years on Mars. It spent over two hours in the air, covering 11 miles (18 kilometers) – way more than NASA expected. It went as high as 79 feet (24 meters) and zoomed at speeds up to 22.4 mph (36 kph). Pictures sent this week from its final flight revealed that one or more of its spinning blades got hurt while landing, possibly hitting the ground. NASA says the blades can’t be used anymore. Although some good news is that even though Ingenuity has finished its mission, two other mini helicopters were launched into Mars as of 2022.
-Yolo
December 3rd, 2023:
Hello Everyone! I haven't blogged in a while, but I am excited to say we are getting ready for the big Mars Competition that's happening in 1 week! Over the past couple of months, we have worked on founding a club, adding new members, and overall expanding the organization.
Today's science news: This year in November, Moungi Bawendi, Louis Brus, and Alexey Ekimov received a Nobel Prize in their discovery of new properties in nanotechnology and quantum dots. These quantum dots are widely used in television screens, LED lamps, and help guide surgeons when removing tumor tissue. By examining solar energy and its effects on colored glass, these renowned scientists have found a way to control the size and quantum growth of these perticles. This discovery can lead to improving technology in solar panels, brilliance in television screens, and a lot more!
-Mahika Khosla
Glowing Quantum Dots ↑
August 11th, 2023:
Hello Everyone! In the past month, we have officially finished 6 lessons with our first library as well as start the lessons with 2 new libraries! Continue to look out for competition news too!
Some physics stuff this time: Have you heard of LK-99? It's a material that was produced from lead-apatite and copper from a team of researchers in South Korea. Now, this researchers posted late last month that LK-99 is a superconducting material that can work at room temperature. This would be revolutionary as it can change everything from how electricity is preserved to hovering trains. But, LK-99 can only be a game changer if what the scientists at South Korea are saying is true. Two studies published this week by other scientists around the world attempted to replicate the material and said that their product was not superconductive. However, other scientists who have ran simulations on their computers say that LK-99 has a chance to be superconductive. There is plentiful skepticism and doubtfulness around this new wonderous material. What do you thing, can LK-99 really be superconductive at high temperatures and ambient pressures?
Check out this website for more info! : https://www.axios.com/2023/08/04/lk-99-room-temperature-superconductor-claim
-Mahika Khosla
June 30th, 2023:
Every lesson we meet more and more amazing students! We are currently setting up competitions that can allow these students to explore their passion and creativity in astronomy, while also being challenged. Hint, the competition has something to do with Mars...
Some astronomy stuff: NASA launched their most powerful space science telescope, the James Webb telescope, on December 25th, 2021. Since then, astronomers were able to see the universe in the most tremendous ways! Recently, the telescope had just snapped a pictured in the infrared last weekend and the image was released to the public last Friday. The picture shows the planet Saturn dark because of the methane in its atmosphere and the gas giant's icy rings glowing. The picture is the coolest!
-Mahika Khosla
May 30th, 2023:
We've officially taught at 4 different libraries. And in just one lesson, we were able to meet 25 fantastic students!
Your daily space news: SpaceX is a company founded by Elon Musk, and they are very famously known for their “test, fly, fail, fix, repeat” method. SpaceX and Elon Musk has launched thousands of satellites and rockets after only being in business for 20 years or so. This humongous company takes place in south Texas, and many environmentalists and climate change experts have been trying to throw down or limit these launches. People are saying that the workers are constantly blocking roadsides, expanding their sites (which can be as large as 17 acres), causing habitat loss at the wetland biomes and the organisms that live there, and closing roads and beaches for longer than their 300 permitted hours (they were there for more than 1000 hours). Since SpaceX is about to launch their largest rocket yet, the FAA is currently conducting an environmental assessment. That's how much awareness this environmental issue was brought up!
How do you think we can solve this problem? How do you think we can balance between rocket launches and environmental /habitat protection? I was wondering if we could create a a list of more strict criteria that the purpose of the mission has to achieve before taking place.
-Mahika Khosla
April 23rd, 2023:
We've officially taught at 3 different libraries. And met 22 amazing students!
One thing I've been thinking of: You know how satellites are responsible for the GPS in our cars, the cable in our television, the internet we use in our tv, and the photographs we use to learn about weather and climate change? Well, masses of satellites are being sent each year from several private organizations. But, what happens to those satellites when they finish their power? There is no satellite retriever and they aren't program to come back down on Earth. So, they stay in Earth's orbit, littering space until gravity pulls it down to Earth's ground (their elliptical orbits). Nevertheless 5,465 dead satellites are causing collisions and generating space debris! How many of y'all even know space debris was a thing?! #SavetheSatellites
-Mahika Khosla
April 2nd, 2023:
At times like this, it feels impossible to start off. So much activity happening, libraries to visit, advertising to be done, and knowledge to be spread. It would've helped to have a few formulas up my sleeve to kickstart the process. It feels like a never ending workout.
Nevertheless, welcome to Astro Revolution! I can't wait to see you all in person, getting your hands in experiments and brains working through the everlasting universe.
Something Interesting: The first NASA astronauts to walk on the moon since 1972 will wear the new advanced space suits designed by a private company, Axion. The suits will allow the astronauts of the Artemis 3 Mission to take pictures and videos, survey geology, retrieve samples, and collect other data to meet specific scientific objectives. These suits are tailored to offer more flexibility and mobility and will allow astronauts to explore the lunar (south pole of the moon) terrain on foot. Additionally, the first woman and person of color on the moon will wear the new and improved space suits. Maybe this is the breakthrough space exploration needed...
For more exciting information, visit https://www.nasa.gov/feature/spacesuit-for-nasa-s-artemis-iii-moon-surface-mission-debuts
-Mahika Khosla