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Space Monkeys in Training

2001
NASA’s most recent venture into space will involve the study of one of the most fascinating, yet mysterious features of the solar system—-the sun. Ironically, mankind has lived for millennia under the sun’s vigilance, yet we still remain oblivious to most of its undiscovered sciences. You’d think that after thousands of years of scientific observation, we would have unveiled more information about this age-old star than we have, but two tiny details have complicated our efforts--the sun is too bright and hot to study directly, and too far away to study closely. So how is NASA going to examine the sun if their equipment can’t get past the intensity of heat and light? The answer lies in an old form of technology, exploited for the purposes of modern science. Invented more than 450 years ago, Galileo’s telescope has inspired NASA’s HESSI telescope, which will scope the sun’s solar flares to collect data about their particle acceleration and energy release. Our goal in developing this informative website is to help students better understand the purpose of the HESSI telescope. We also wish to provide teachers with resources appropriate for their classroom lesson plans.