What is an annular eclipse?

This October 14, Texans are about to witness something historic - an annular solar eclipse.

So, what is an annular solar eclipse?

First, let’s establish what an eclipse is in the first place. An eclipse refers to an astronomical event when one celestial body, like a planet or moon, is temporarily obscured by passing through the shadow of another celestial object. In other words, these celestial objects temporarily align in such a way that one of the objects becomes totally hidden from view.

On Earth, we have the chance to experience two kinds of eclipses: a lunar and a solar eclipse. A lunar eclipse is when the Earth moves between the Moon and the Sun. When this happens, the Earth momentarily blocks sunlight from the Moon, which is what makes the moon shine. On the other hand, a solar eclipse happens when the Moon moves between the Sun and the Earth, and casts a shadow on a certain part of the planet.

There are three types of solar eclipses:

1. Total solar eclipse - the Sun, Moon, and Earth are aligned in a direct line, and the sky becomes completely dark in certain parts of the planet. From a certain viewing point, the Moon covers the Sun completely.

2. Partial solar eclipse - the Sun, Moon, and Earth are not perfectly aligned, so only a small part of the Sun appears to have a shadow.

3. Annular solar eclipse - like a total solar eclipse, the Sun, Moon, and Earth are in a direct line; however, this occurs when the Moon is at the farthest point of its orbit, making it appear smaller. As a result, instead of completely covering the Sun, the Moon only covers the center of the Sun, creating a ring-like appearance around it.

This bright ring is what we can expect to see during the upcoming annular eclipse!

Eager to learn more about eclipses?

Come join us for Homeschool Day this October 11 for eclipse-related activities like making your own eclipse viewer and building eclipse models, as well as awesome Learning Labs!

Why is Texas important to bird migration?

It’s that time of the year again — birds are migrating southward toward warmer weather as the days get shorter and cooler.

What is migration?

Migration refers to animals’ seasonal movement from one place to another due to various instinctive and strategic reasons. Generally, animals migrate to find better living conditions and to ensure their survival.

Birds that nest in the Northern Hemisphere migrate twice a year — first in spring, during which they move northward to take advantage of the warmth and abundant food of the season, and another time in the fall, during which they escape the winter and seek better resources in the south.

The distance traveled by birds varies. Some simply migrate from higher to lower altitudes during the winter, while some, like whooping cranes and Arctic terns, can travel thousands of miles.

This year, the fall migration period began on August 15, and will end on November 30, 2023, but peak migration is currently ongoing all the way until October 29.

And Texas plays a big role in that!

Why is Texas important to bird migration?

One of the primary reasons Texas plays such a pivotal role in bird migration is its strategic geographical location. Situated at the convergence of two major migratory flyways—the Central Flyway and the Mississippi Flyway—Texas offers migrating birds a unique pathway between their breeding and wintering grounds.

1. The Central Flyway: This migratory route stretches from the Arctic tundra to Central and South America. Texas provides a vital gateway for birds that utilize this route.

2. The Mississippi Flyway: Covering the eastern part of North America, the Mississippi Flyway also intersects Texas, making it a critical stopover for a wide array of species.

Because Texas has an impressive range of ecosystems, from coastal marshes and woodlands to arid deserts and lush river valleys, migrating birds have ample habitat options for refueling and resting as they prepare for their long journey.

How can we help birds safely migrate?

Migration requires a ton of energy, so birds preparing for this journey bulk up to ensure they have enough fuel! Providing high-quality food through feeders can help them stock up on much-needed sustenance.

Many migrating birds also travel at night. They use the light of the moon and stars to navigate, and take advantage of the evening’s stabler atmospheric conditions for travel.

Unfortunately, big cities can throw birds off course as they can get disoriented by all the artificial lights. They get lost and confused, exhausting themselves from trying to communicate and get back on track. They may sometimes collide with buildings and other structures as well, which can lead to high fatalities.

To help minimize these accidents, here are some steps we can follow:

1. Turn off non-essential lights from 11pm to 6am

2. Avoid using landscape lighting on trees where birds may be nesting

3. For essential lights, try these practices to minimize light pollution:

   • Aim lights down

   • Use motion detectors so lights go on only when you need them

   • Close blinds at night to minimize lights being emitted from windows

For more resources on how to support bird migration, check out Lights Out Texas!

What is The Big Give?

Hosted by The Nonprofit Council, The Big Give is an annual fundraising event that connects South Central Texas nonprofits - like the Science Mill! - with new and existing donors.

The purpose of fundraising events like The Big Give is to help boost the efforts of all the nonprofits that make South Central Texas a great place to work, live, and play in. As always, the success of this online giving is fueled by awesome donors like YOU! After all, community takes care of each other.

Whatever your advocacy is, we encourage you to seek a nonprofit that puts action into words.

Why support the Science Mill?

If you are passionate about making education, especially STEM education, more accessible to kids from underrepresented communities, then you’ve found the right nonprofit. At the Science Mill, we believe that all kids, regardless of background, should have equitable access to high-quality STEM programs and feel empowered to pursue a future career in STEM.

In Texas and our country, the complex challenges of tomorrow will require STEM professionals, entrepreneurs and problem solvers. Yet research shows low-income students, students of color, rural students and girls are underrepresented in STEM programs and in STEM careers as adults. This includes more than 60% of all Texas students who live in economically disadvantaged communities, with little or no access to STEM programs. The Science Mill brings hands-on, science- and technology-focused programs to Texas communities with the greatest need, providing transformative experiences for students and local teachers.

We need the next generation of scientists, engineers, doctors and technicians. While not every kid will choose a career in STEM, we want every kid to have the access and encouragement to know that they could. Building on our success as a destination attraction and STEM learning leader in central and south Texas, our goal is to bring our proven network of year-round STEM programs to more kids in more places across the state.

OUR IMPACT

In 2023 alone, over 4,500 students all over Texas were served by Science Mill programs like SCI Camps, Labs on the Go, and STEM Discovery Clubs.

Since 2016, over 13,000 students have been served by these programs, and thanks to your ongoing support, we continuously expand our scope every year. This means that we get to reach more kids, in more places, and more ways.

For in depth information on our impact, click here.

How to support the Science Mill during The Big Give

You can donate to the Science Mill today, or wait for September 20, 6pm to have your donations matched!

How things fly

The ability to soar through the skies has captivated human imagination for centuries. From the first flaps of wings to the sophisticated aircraft of today, flight remains one of the most awe-inspiring achievements of science and engineering. At the heart of this accomplishment lies the intricate dance of physics that governs the principles of flight. In this exploration, we'll unravel the fundamental concepts that allow birds, airplanes, and spacecraft to conquer the skies.

Lift and Bernoulli's Principle

The cornerstone of flight lies in the generation of lift. Lift is the force that counters the weight of an aircraft, allowing it to rise against gravity. One of the key principles at play here is Bernoulli's Principle, which states that as the speed of a fluid (such as air) increases, its pressure decreases. In the context of flight, this phenomenon occurs as air moves faster over the curved upper surface of a wing, creating a lower pressure area compared to the flat lower surface. This pressure difference generates an upward force, lifting the aircraft.

Shape Matters: Wing Design

The shape of an aircraft's wings plays a crucial role in its ability to generate lift efficiently. Wings are designed with a curved upper surface and a flatter lower surface, creating the necessary pressure difference. This is why airplane wings are often referred to as airfoils. The angle at which the wing meets the oncoming air, known as the angle of attack, also affects lift. Too steep an angle can lead to turbulence and loss of lift, a phenomenon known as a stall.

Thrust and Drag

While lift opposes weight, another pair of forces comes into play: thrust and drag. Thrust is the force generated by engines that propels an aircraft forward, overcoming drag, the resistance encountered as the aircraft moves through the air. In achieving a balance between thrust and drag, airplanes can maintain a steady speed and altitude.

Newton's Third Law and Propulsion

Newton's third law, often summarized as "for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction," is the driving force behind propulsion systems. Jet engines, for instance, work by expelling a high-speed stream of gases in one direction, propelling the aircraft in the opposite direction. This principle applies equally to rocket engines, which operate in the vacuum of space, demonstrating that the laws of physics are universal and versatile.

The Challenges of Spaceflight

While the principles of flight on Earth are well-understood, spaceflight introduces an entirely new set of challenges. In the vacuum of space, there is no air to generate lift or drag. Instead, spacecraft rely on the principle of conservation of momentum, expelling mass at high speeds to achieve acceleration in the opposite direction. This is elegantly demonstrated by the reaction control thrusters and main engines of spacecraft.