Ideas for WORLD SPACE WEEK Activities from The Solar System

IT'S WORLD SPACE WEEK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This post is written for those who may not have World Space Week activities in their areas or the ability to travel to an activity. World Space Week  #WSW2014  is from October 4-10.

“The General Assembly declares 4 to 10 October World Space Week to celebrate each year at the international level the contributions of space science and technology to the betterment of the human condition.”
                                 ~ UN General Assembly resolution, 6 December 1999 

Founded in 1999, it has grown larger each year and often has an annual theme. In 2013, there were more than 1400 events in 80 countries! This year's 2014 theme is a new satellite navigation theme “Space: Guiding Your Way”, aiming to inspire millions! Check out this link to see events in your area or to search for specific events. 

I hope you enjoy these space-related ideas - It's certainly not a comprehensive list, but just a few suggestions from yours truly :-)

The Pleiades Deep and Dusty
Image Credit & Copyright: David Lane

- Go outside & look up! Honestly, this most basic activity is often forgotten!
- Join The Planetary Society
- Find when the ISS passes overhead & wave at it!

- Write a poem or read a poem about space, the sky, or technology each day

- Plan a trip to one of several NASA, CSA, ESA, or other space facilities!
- Check out NASA TV, Star Walk, & all sorts of Space apps - there are so many!

- Write a THANK YOU LETTER to a space agency or an astronaut. Make a copy for your                senator, governor, or school.
- Think about the Universe and our place in it for one solid minute!

- Check out NASA's EYES ON THE SOLAR SYSTEM - http://eyes.nasa.gov/index.html 
- Donate space-themed toys to children and/or education programs
- Write to your government asking support for your national space agency
- Wear a space t-shirt

- Science lesson plans for kids
- Watch a documentary about space
- Support STEM Education and the STEM Education Coalition

- Read about human space flight - Here's one site

- Check out http://www.spaceflightnow.com/ 

- Listen to the sounds of space - Voyager, The Sun, a Meteor Shower 

- Follow space organizations on social media and keep up with posts
- Make plans to visit a planetarium or local observatory if there are any in your area
- Look into your local astronomy society and check their activities

- Check out NASA's SPACE PLACE and activities, printable PDFs
- Learn about one astronaut each day this coming week. Here are some NASA astronauts
- Drive out to where the sky is dark and spend the evening stargazing
- Read an article about space

- Sign up for an online astronomy class - such as this one

- Check out some astronaut and space facts here
- Learn about current missions

- SPACE-THEMED BAKING - someone needs to do this for me, LOL!
- Make a solar system in an arts & crafts project
- Listen to Holst's "The Planets"

- Other NASA space education activities

- Leave other suggestions in the comments or send me a tweet!

- Again, go outside & look up!

Filaments of the Vela Supernova Remnant
Image Credit & Copyright: Angus Lau, Y Van, SS Tong (Jade Scope Observatory)
http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap131001.html 

Episcopal Prayers at the Close of Day

From the New Zealand Prayer Book:

Lord it is night. The night is for stillness. Let us be still in the presence of God. It is night after a long day. What has been done has been done; what has not been done has not been done. Let it be. The night is dark. Let our fears of the darkness of the world and of our own lives rest in you. The night is quiet. Let the quietness of your peace enfold us, all dear to us, and all who have no peace. The night heralds the dawn. Let us look expectantly to a new day, new joys, new possibilities. In your name we pray. Amen.

A Starry Night of Iceland
Credit: Stephane Vetter (Nuits sacrees)
http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap110517.html

Episcopal Prayers at the Close of Day

From the Book of Common Prayer, 1979

O God, your unfailing providence sustains the world we live in and the life we live: Watch over those, both night and day, who work while others sleep, and grant that we may never forget that our common life depends upon each other’s toil; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Three Galaxies and a Comet
Image Credit & Copyright: Miloslav Druckmuller (Brno University of Technology)
http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap131020.html

Episcopal Prayers at the Close of Day

From the Canadian Prayer Book:

To you before the close of day, Creator of all things, we pray that, in your saving constancy, our guard and keeper you would be. Save us from troubled, restless sleep; from all ill dreams your children keep. So calm our minds that fears may cease and rested bodies wake in peace. A healthy life we ask of you: the fire of love in us renew, and when the dawn new light will bring, your praise and glory we shall sing. Almighty Father, hear our cry through Jesus Christ, our Lord, most high, Whom with the Spirit we adore forever and for evermore. Amen.

Milky Way Over Spain's Bardenas Reales
Image Credit & Copyright: Maria Rosa Vila
http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap130902.html

Episcopal Prayers at the Close of Day

From the New Zealand Prayer Book:

Support us, Lord, all the day long, until the shadows lengthen, and the evening comes, the busy world is hushed, the fever of life is over, and our work done; then Lord, in your mercy, give us safe lodging, a holy rest and peace at the last. Amen.

A Milky Way Shadow at Loch Ard Gorge
Credit & Copyright: Alex Cherney (Terrastro)
http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap100823.html

Many more Episcopal Prayers at the Close of Day at my Episcopal Space blog site and some here on Carsonia as well, just type in "Episcopal prayers" to search.