Rare Winter Solstice Lunar Eclipse

On Dec. 21st, the first day of northern winter, when the full Moon passes almost dead-center through Earth's shadow. For 72 minutes of eerie totality, an amber light will play across the snows of North America, throwing landscapes into an unusual state of ruddy shadow.
The eclipse begins on Tuesday morning, Dec. 21st, at 1:33 am EST. At that time, Earth's shadow will appear as a dark-red bite at the edge of the lunar disk. It takes about an hour for the "bite" to expand and swallow the entire Moon. Totality commences at 02:41 am EST and lasts for 72 minutes.
If you're planning to dash out for only one quick look -­ it is December, after all -­ choose this moment: 03:17 am EST. That's when the Moon will be in deepest shadow, displaying the most fantastic shades of coppery red.

Hopefully I'll have a neat picture to post...

Holiday Fun

Charlie Brown tree, concert, and Santa...What could possibly spread more Christmas cheer??

Beaver Moon

Here is a picture of the Waning Gibbous 98% of Full "Beaver" Moon. This month's full moon was the culprit for blocking out a lot of the Leonid meteors. I can't be too upset, it sure is a neat sight in the night sky. The picture is a little hazy as there is a thin layer of clouds making for an eerie moonrise!

The Bear Named "Kitty"

This bear's name is "Kitty." Lacie and I wouldn't have believed it either, until it came into Lacie while she was calling, "Here Kitty...Kitty....Kitty." I opened the bedroom curtain and there it stood 3 feet from me on our front porch, just 30 seconds after Lacie came inside. The real tragedy here is that this bear believes it truly is a cat. I don't think Lacie will be calling for "Kitty" anymore, also known as Scruffy.

ABC27 StormTracker & Rob Dixon

Rob Dixon from the ABC27 weather team came to visit Lack Tuscarora and Mountain View. Rob talked about his career, the unpredictability of weather, and did some cool experiments. Our students were featured on the ABC27 evening news by meteorologist Eric Finkenbinder.

Halloween & "The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown" Play

Congratulations to all my 3rd graders for putting on an excellent play! I'm very proud of all the cast members who gave it their best! 

The World War I flying ace on his imaginary mission

Charlie Brown and the Peanuts gang

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown

3rd grade will perform "The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown" on Friday, October 29th. Come out and see if Linus will finally meet The Great Pumpkin, or if he is just a myth. Happy Halloween!!

Blue Moon On New Year's Eve

Tonight's full Moon is a "Blue Moon." It's the second full Moon this month and the first Blue Moon to fall on New Year's Eve in nearly 20 years. Blue Moons are rare (once every 2.5 years). Blue Moons on New Year's Eve are rarer still (once every 19 years).

Thanksgiving: From A Turkey's Point of View

Thanksgiving: From A Turkey's Point of View

by: Julia Rice

Hi, my name is Bob. I'm a turkey, and here's my point of view for Thanksgiving. Now don't get my wrong, I love Thanksgiving! Oh, except for the part where I become the meal. Now for the main course of the meal I would choose corn, fresh off the cob. I would sprinkle filling around the corn for a snazzy look. For Thanksgiving you have to have cooked pumpkin seeds too! For the second course, use fresh pumpkin for some pumpkin pie. Now I know this sounds weird, but I like whip cream on apple sauce! Oh, and on pumpkin pie also.
When you have it all ready, invite your family over. Before you eat, welcome everybody when they come in the door. Tell them to sit down politely and say a speech. Say a prayer and tell them to enjoy! When you are finished with the meal, play games like pin the gobble on the turkey, musical feathers, and put on a play. Once your all finished and everyone is home, start to clean up!

Icebergs

7/8th of an iceberg is underwater

Fall Foliage

Phases of The Moon

Solar Eclipse

July 21, 2009 South Pacific

2009 Meteor Showers

I found a pretty neat website that tells you which months are good for viewing meteors. The site shows you the dates, frequency, and moon phase. Choose a clear, dark night and look into the night sky for satellietes and meteors! Check out Skyscrapers, Inc. more information.

Spring At Lack Tuscarora

Feeding Time

Crow Chasing a Bald Eagle

Crow Chasing a Red-Tailed Hawk

Lance Armstrong At The Giro D'Italia

Vernal Equinox (Spring)

On March 20, 2009 at 7:45 AM (Easter Standard Time) our earth's axis will be at an equinox. An Equinox occurs twice a year, when the tilt of the Earth's axis is inclined neither away from or towards the Sun. The Sun is vertically above a point on the Equator, which gives us about 12 hours of daylinght and 12 hours of night; or an equal amount of each. Here is a picture of the sun illuminating the earth on the day of the equinox.

Four-Leaf Clover

So how rare is a four-leaf clover? It has been estimated that there are approximately 10,000 three-leaf clovers for every four-leaf clover! According to legend, each leaflet represents something: the first is for hope, the second is for faith, the third is for love, and the fourth is for luck. Clovers can have more than four leaflets; the most ever recorded is twenty-one!! Next time you are out in a clover field, start looking around...GOOD LUCK!!