Hi everybody!

Here's the latest article from the Astronomy site at BellaOnline.com.

Quasar Facts for Kids
Quasars are the brightest and most distant objects in the universe. And when we see them we are looking into the past, even before our Sun and Solar System existed.

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art42450.asp

*Happy birthday, John Glenn*

On Monday, July 18, it was John Glenn’s 90th birthday. He was the first American to orbit the Earth and the only astronaut to return to space when he was 77. He had flown combat missions in both World War II and the Korean War before he went into the astronaut corps. Afterwards he had a long career in politics. A man who has made the most of his long life so far. Many happy returns.

*Apollo 11*

It was 42 years ago today that Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walked on the Moon. If you’re looking for some interesting summer reading, I highly recommend the book by the Apollo 11 astronaut who didn't walk on the moon, Michael Collins. More about it here: http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art32834.asp

If you've already chosen your reading, maybe you'd just like to watch a DVD? "In the Shadow of the Moon” is a prize-winning film with the Apollo astronauts telling the story. More about it here: http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art9746.asp

*Mars landing*

No, not people landing. This landing happened 35 years ago today and it was the Viking 1 lander which sent the first picture from the Martian surface. We’ve got so used to getting pictures from Mars, it’s hard to remember how hold-your-breath exciting it was the very first time. Here is that historic first picture: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ae/Mars_Viking_12a001.png/800px-Mars_Viking_12a001.png

That's all for now. Wishing you clear skies.

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Mona Evans,
Astronomy Editor BellaOnline
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