2. We wish to ensure that participants learn more about ancient sites and develop the following series of key understandings: –The Sun is a dynamic, magnetic star that impacts the Earth and other planets in our solar system –Understanding the mysteries of the Sun has been a primary motivator for Sun watchers over time –Human beings use technology (past, present, and future) to understand the Sun and the Universe beyond –Light has always provided a means of investigating the Universe. –Human beings from diverse cultures have viewed the Sun as the source of life –Stewardship of these sacred sites is our collective responsibility Key Understandings

3. You can visit the following pages for the latest information on National and Local Sun-Earth Day events:  National: http://sunearthday.nasa.gov/2005/events/events.htmhttp://sunearthday.nasa.gov/2005/events/events.htm  Local : http://sunearthday.nasa.gov/2005/happening/index.htmhttp://sunearthday.nasa.gov/2005/happening/index.htm Sun-Earth Day traditionally falls on the Spring Equinox which happens this year on March 20! However, many Sun-Earth Day events occur throughout the year. National and Local Happenings

4. December 21, 2004: Winter Solstice (Tuesday)  Webcast: Chaco Canyon Live@ The Exploratorium  View the Archived Webcast at:  http://www.exploratorium.edu/chaco/HTML/webcast.html http://www.exploratorium.edu/chaco/HTML/webcast.html March 17, 2005  NASA Connect Show for Formal Educators  Available on NASA TV and PBS Stations  11:00 – 11:30 am ET  For detailed information, visit:  http://connect.larc.nasa.gov/episodes.html http://connect.larc.nasa.gov/episodes.html March 20, 2005: Spring Equinox (Sunday)  Live Webcast from Chichen Itza  5:00 – 5:45 pm ET (English)  5:45 – 6:00 pm ET (Bilingual, observe light/shadow effect)  6:00 – 6:45 pm ET (Spanish)  Access the webcast at:  http://www.exploratorium.edu/ancientobs/chichen http://www.exploratorium.edu/ancientobs/chichen March 21, 2005: Sun-Earth Day (Monday)  Both webcasts and the NASA Connect Program will be archived and viewable from the Sun-Earth Day website! Event Dates and Times

5. Title: Ancient Observatories: Timeless Knowledge Starts Airing: Thursday, March 17, 2005, 11:00 – 11:30 a.m. ET NASA LIVE Event: Friday, April 22, 2005Ancient Observatories: Timeless Knowledge NASA Connect Presents With the use of technology (ancient, modern, and future), NASA scientists and astronomers will investigate how ancient civilizations worked to unlock the secrets of the Sun. Through the power of geometry, learn how light was used to provide a means of investigating the universe. Mathematics Concepts: Geometry Science Concepts: Space Science, History and Nature of Science NASA Research: Sun-Earth Connection Education Pre-Activity: Sun-Earth Day 2005: A Special Day In Your ClassroomSun-Earth Day 2005: A Special Day In Your Classroom

6. The NASA Connect show on March 17 th, 2005, “Ancient Observatories: Timeless Knowledge” includes filming from the museum! See http://connect.larc.nasa.gov/episodes.htmlhttp://connect.larc.nasa.gov/episodes.html Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian On September 21, 2004, thousands of Native peoples from across the Western Hemisphere participated the grand opening of the museum – an historic celebration of cultural pride and connection that was unlike any other Native gathering in our history. http://www.nmai.si.edu 260,000 square feet NASA Connect Presents

7. March 20, 2005: Spring Equinox (Sunday)  Live Webcast from Chichén Itzá  5:00 – 5:45 pm ET (English Informal Education Program)  5:45 – 6:00 pm ET (Bilingual, observe light/shadow effect)  6:00 – 6:45 pm ET (Spanish Informal Education Program)  Access webcast at http://www.exploratorium.edu/ancientobs/chichenhttp://www.exploratorium.edu/ancientobs/chichen Program Highlights:  Live views of light/shadow ‘slithering snake’ effect on El Castillo Pyramid – an effect that takes ~40 minutes  Demonstrations of equinox/solstice sunrise-sunset with El Castillo model  Overview of the Chichén Itzá Archeological Park  Discussion of other Maya archeological sites with solar alignments  Discussion of Maya culture and astronomical achievements  Linkages to NASA Sun-Earth Connection science  Pre-Hispanic and other traditional dancers  Views of the public’s excitement and celebration of the Equinox at this unique site Webcast: Chichén Itzá

8. Webcast Access Modes: Internet URL for the public (260K bandwidth stream) Private URL for museums and other institutional partners (512K bandwidth stream) Satellite video broadcast quality Internet-2 For detailed information visit: http://www.exploratorium.edu/ancientobs/chichen/ or http://sunearthday.nasa.gov

9. Image Gallery Includes images related to ‘Technology Through Time’. Registration Scientists, Educators, Museums and Amateur Astronomers Ask an Expert This year’s site will contain our traditional ‘Ask the Scientist’ plus our new ‘Ask the Educator’! Multimedia Center Features all Sun-Earth Day multimedia related materials for ‘one-stop’ shopping. Technology Through Time This section features ancient and current solar sites, locations, observatories and satellites Webcasts and Broadcasts Visit this section for information on 3 upcoming webcasts! Native American Connections Features Native American connections to NASA science: essays, articles, biographies http:// sunearthday.nasa.gov Website Features

10. While supplies last, register to receive your free Sun-Earth Day Packet! Additional packets for your classroom, science center, or museum, are available for $6.00 each through NASA CORENASA CORE. To register and/or to view the contents of this year’s packet, visit us at: http://sunearthday.nasa.gov/2005/multimedia/kit.htm Sun-Earth Day Packets

11. Enjoy a comprehensive website featuring Chaco Canyon, Native Astronomy, and NASA Sun-Earth Connection Science: http://traditionsofthesun.org or Visit the Multimedia Center in the Sun-Earth Day Website: http://sunearthday.nasa.gov Website Features

12. Formal Education: Elaine Lewis (301) 286-3337 lewis@mail630.gsfc.nasa.govlewis@mail630.gsfc.nasa.gov Informal Education: Jackie Wong (510) 643-0011 jackiew@ssl.berkeley.edujackiew@ssl.berkeley.edu Website and General Program Issues: Troy Cline (301) 286-6606 cline@mail630.gsfc.nasa.govcline@mail630.gsfc.nasa.gov Contact Information Webcast URL: http://www.exploratorium.edu/ancientobs/chichen/ Sun-Earth Day URL: http://sunearthday.nasa.gov

13. Live Webcast from Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico Sunday March 20 th, 5:00 – 6:45 pm ET (English, then Spanish)

14. To be Featured on Webcast! Magnificent “El Castillo” Webcast Access Modes: Internet URL for the public (260K bandwidth stream) Private URL for museums and other institutional partners (512K bandwidth stream) Satellite video broadcast quality Internet-2 Access webpage for more information: http://www.exploratorium.edu/ancientobs/chichen/

15. To be Featured on Webcast! Dzibilchaltun Maya Site Equinox Alignment with Temple of the Seven Dolls at Sunrise

16. Website Features! Image Gallery: Fajada Butte, Chaco Canyon

17. Website Features! Image Gallery: Summer Solstice at Casa Rinconada, Chaco Canyon

18. Website Features! Image Gallery: Tewa Dancers of the North Celebrating the Summer Solstice at Chaco Canyon in June 2004

19. Website Features! Image Gallery: Hovenweep Castle, Hovenweep Nat’l Monument

22. Website Features! Image Gallery: Holly House Sun-Dagger Summer Solstice, Hovenweep

23. Each Module Provides: Guided Inquiry into NASA Science ‘Step-by-step’ guides to live and archived NASA data Teacher and student editions A context by which NASA Missions can tell their interrelated stories. Each Module Begins With: An essential question Connections to National Standards Supporting questions Up to three methods of observation Identified resources and activities ( Modifiable HTML Templates ) A Collection of Inquiry-based Learning Modules From Satellites From Students From Observatories http://son.nasa.gov

24. Access Live Solar Data and Space Weather Simulations with the Sun-Earth Viewer

25. http://sunearthday.nasa.gov