We wish to ensure that participants learn more about ancient sites and develop the following series of key understandings:

– The Sun is a dynamic, magnetic star that impacts the Earth and other planets in our solar system

– Understanding the mysteries of the Sun has been a primary motivator for Sun watchers over time

– Human beings use technology (past, present, and future) to understand the Sun and the Universe beyond

– Light has always provided a means of investigating the Universe.

– Human beings from diverse cultures have viewed the Sun as the source of life

– Stewardship of these sacred sites is our collective responsibility

Key Understandings

You can visit the following pages for the latest information on National and Local Sun-Earth Day events:

National: http://sunearthday.nasa.gov/2005/events/events.htm

Local : http://sunearthday.nasa.gov/2005/happening/index.htm

Sun-Earth Day traditionally falls on the Spring Equinox which happens this year on March 20! However, many

Sun-Earth Day events occur throughout the year.

National and Local Happenings

December 21, 2004: Winter Solstice (Tuesday)Webcast: Chaco Canyon Live@ The Exploratorium View the Archived Webcast at:

http://www.exploratorium.edu/chaco/HTML/webcast.html

March 17, 2005NASA Connect Show for Formal Educators Available on NASA TV and PBS Stations

11:00 – 11:30 am ETFor detailed information, visit:

http://connect.larc.nasa.gov/episodes.html

March 20, 2005: Spring Equinox (Sunday)Live Webcast from Chichen Itza

5:00 – 5:45 pm ET (English)5:45 – 6:00 pm ET (Bilingual, observe light/shadow effect)6:00 – 6:45 pm ET (Spanish)

Access the webcast at:http://www.exploratorium.edu/ancientobs/chichen

March 21, 2005: Sun-Earth Day (Monday)Both webcasts and the NASA Connect Program will be archived and viewable from the Sun-Earth Day website!

Event Dates and Times

Title: Ancient Observatories: Timeless KnowledgeStarts Airing: Thursday, March 17, 2005, 11:00 – 11:30 a.m. ETNASA LIVE Event: Friday, April 22, 2005

NASA Connect Presents

With the use of technology (ancient, modern, and future), NASA scientists and astronomers will investigate how ancient civilizations worked to unlock the secrets of the Sun. Through the power of geometry, learn how light was used to provide a means of investigating the universe.

Mathematics Concepts: GeometryScience Concepts: Space Science, History and Nature of ScienceNASA Research: Sun-Earth Connection

Education Pre-Activity: Sun-Earth Day 2005: A Special Day In Your Classroom

The NASA Connect show on March 17th, 2005, “Ancient Observatories: Timeless Knowledge” includes filming from the museum!

See http://connect.larc.nasa.gov/episodes.html

Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian

On September 21, 2004, thousands of Native peoples from across the Western Hemisphere participated the grand opening of the museum – an historic celebration of cultural pride and connection that was unlike any other Native gathering in our history.

http://www.nmai.si.edu

260,000 square feet

NASA Connect Presents

March 20, 2005: Spring Equinox (Sunday) Live Webcast from Chichén Itzá

5:00 – 5:45 pm ET (English Informal Education Program) 5:45 – 6:00 pm ET (Bilingual, observe light/shadow effect) 6:00 – 6:45 pm ET (Spanish Informal Education Program) Access webcast at http://www.exploratorium.edu/ancientobs/chichen

Program Highlights: Live views of light/shadow ‘slithering snake’ effect on El

Castillo Pyramid – an effect that takes ~40 minutes Demonstrations of equinox/solstice sunrise-sunset with El

Castillo model Overview of the Chichén Itzá Archeological Park Discussion of other Maya archeological sites with solar

alignments Discussion of Maya culture and astronomical achievements Linkages to NASA Sun-Earth Connection science Pre-Hispanic and other traditional dancers Views of the public’s excitement and celebration of the

Equinox at this unique site

Webcast: Chichén Itzá

Webcast: Chichén Itzá

Webcast Access Modes:

• Internet URL for the public (260K bandwidth stream)

• Private URL for museums and other institutional partners (512K bandwidth stream)

• Satellite video broadcast quality

• Internet-2 For detailed information visit:http://www.exploratorium.edu/ancientobs/chichen/

orhttp://sunearthday.nasa.gov

Image GalleryIncludes images related to ‘Technology Through Time’.

Registration Scientists, Educators, Museums and Amateur Astronomers

Ask an ExpertThis year’s site will contain our traditional ‘Ask the Scientist’ plus our new ‘Ask the Educator’!

Multimedia CenterFeatures all Sun-Earth Day multimedia related materials for ‘one-stop’ shopping.

Technology Through TimeThis section features ancient and current solar sites, locations, observatories and satellites

Webcasts and BroadcastsVisit this section for information on 3 upcoming webcasts!

Native American ConnectionsFeatures Native American connections to NASA science: essays, articles, biographies

http://sunearthday.nasa.gov

Website Features

While supplies last, register to receive your free Sun-Earth Day

Packet!

Additional packets for your classroom, science center, or

museum, are available for $6.00 each through

NASA CORE.

To register and/or to view the contents of this year’s packet, visit us at:

http://sunearthday.nasa.gov/2005/multimedia/kit.htm

Sun-Earth Day Packets

Enjoy a comprehensive website featuringChaco Canyon, Native Astronomy, and NASA Sun-Earth Connection Science:

http://traditionsofthesun.org

or

Visit the Multimedia Center in the Sun-Earth Day Website:

http://sunearthday.nasa.gov

Website Features

• Formal Education: Elaine Lewis

(301) 286-3337 lewis@mail630.gsfc.nasa.gov

• Informal Education: Jackie Wong

(510) 643-0011 jackiew@ssl.berkeley.edu

• Website and General Program Issues: Troy Cline

(301) 286-6606 cline@mail630.gsfc.nasa.gov

Contact Information

Webcast URL: http://www.exploratorium.edu/ancientobs/chichen/

Sun-Earth Day URL:

http://sunearthday.nasa.gov

Live Webcast from Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico Sunday March 20th, 5:00 – 6:45 pm ET (English, then Spanish)

To be Featured on Webcast! Magnificent “El Castillo”

Webcast Access Modes:• Internet URL for the public (260K bandwidth stream)

• Private URL for museums and other institutional partners (512K bandwidth stream)

• Satellite video broadcast quality

• Internet-2

• Access webpage for more information:

http://www.exploratorium.edu/ancientobs/chichen/

To be Featured on Webcast! Dzibilchaltun Maya Site Equinox Alignment with Temple of the Seven Dolls at

Sunrise

Website Features! Image Gallery: Fajada Butte, Chaco Canyon

Website Features! Image

Gallery: Summer Solstice at Casa Rinconada, Chaco Canyon

Website Features! Image Gallery: Tewa Dancers of the North Celebrating the Summer Solstice at Chaco Canyon in June 2004

Website Features! Image Gallery: Hovenweep Castle, Hovenweep Nat’l Monument

Website Features! Image Gallery: Hovenweep Castle, Hovenweep Nat’l Monument

Website Features! Image Gallery: Hovenweep Castle, Hovenweep Nat’l Monument

Website Features! Image

Gallery: Holly House Sun-DaggerSummer Solstice, Hovenweep

Each Module Provides:•Guided Inquiry into NASA Science •‘Step-by-step’ guides to live and archived NASA data•Teacher and student editions•A context by which NASA Missions can tell their interrelated stories.

Each Module Begins With:•An essential question•Connections to National Standards•Supporting questions•Up to three methods of observation•Identified resources and activities

( Modifiable HTML Templates )A Collection of Inquiry-based Learning Modules

From Satellites

From Students

From Observatories

http://son.nasa.gov

http://son.nasa.gov

Access Live Solar Data and Space Weather Simulations with the Sun-Earth Viewer

http://sunearthday.nasa.gov