09 August 2012
Posted in NatureWorks

We see lizards scurrying around on sidewalks, buildings and just about everywhere, but have you ever stopped to wonder exactly what type of lizard they are? The two most common lizards to Florida are the green anole and the brown anole. However, do not be fooled by their similar names because these critters have their differences.

The green anole, also known as the Carolina anole, is the only anole species native to Florida. They are small lizards usually ranging from six to eight inches long – about half of which is comprised by its tail. It is also mainly an arboreal species, meaning they are primarily found living in trees or branches of trees.

The green anole's colors range from the brightest of greens to the darkest of browns, the latter of which typically indicates distress. Their diets consist mainly of small insects such as crickets and grasshoppers, but they have also been known to consume grasses as well.

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06 August 2012
Posted in Our Planet, Our Universe

With fierce ambition, determination and persistence, NASA scored a huge victory for the U.S. this morning by successfully mastering and executing the landing of the Curiosity rover on Mars. The potentially risky landing was perfectly maneuvered, and the car-sized rover touched down on Gale Crater at 1:32 a.m. EDT Monday.

In the early hours of the morning as the landing unfolded, each step proceeded without flaw. The capsule entered the atmosphere at the appointed time, with thrusters guiding it toward the crater. Next the parachute was deployed, then shortly after the rover and rocket stage dropped away from the parachute. This began the powered descent toward the surface.

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01 August 2012
Posted in Our Planet, Our Universe

Nearly eight months ago, NASA launched Curiosity - the latest Mars rover - into space. Set to land on Monday, August 6 at 1:31 a.m. EST, NASA scientists and observers around the world anxiously await to see if Curiosity will able to maneuver the landing process and successfully set down on the Red Planet.

NASA scientists and engineers spend so much time working with the Mars Laboratory rovers that the robots become almost like pets, and just like pets, the rovers get names that often say a lot about their "personalities." The name "Curiosity" explains exactly the nature of this rover’s mission, which is to act as a mobile science laboratory on Mars to investigate whether life could ever exist on the planet.

The rover will begin by studying Gale Crater to see if the area contains any of the necessary ingredients that could sustain life. NASA scientists considered 60 different landing sites and spent diligent time analyzing all possibilities before deciding upon Gale Crater as the designated landing location for Curiosity. About as large as Rhode Island, the site was chosen because it provides a variety of interesting places for the rover to explore and is clear of hazards which will help with a safe landing. The rover, which is no larger than a small SUV, will spend the majority of its time examining rocks and soils in the remote areas of Gale Crater.

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31 July 2012
Posted in NatureWorks

On Tuesday, the city of Orlando will install three swan feeders at Lake Eola in an effort curb people feeding swans the wrong food, which can make them sick. Feeding the swans food such as bread or popcorn can lead them to become sick and even develop a syndrome known as angel wing.

Angel wing is a syndrome that affects aquatic birds and is due to a high-protein or high-calorie diet.

It is incurable in adults and results in the birds’ flight feathers to twist and protrude from its wings at odd angles instead of lying against the body. In extreme cases, the stripped feathers may appear as blue straw protruding from the wings.

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27 July 2012
Posted in Science On A Sphere

The time has almost come for NASA’s Curiosity rover to land on Mars – hopefully. The 254 day journey from Earth to Mars is expected to end on Monday, August 6 at 1:31 a.m. EST should it survive the risky entry, descent and landing (EDL) typical of this sort of mission.

The difficult landing has NASA calling it “Seven Minutes of Terror” during which time, hundreds of technical events have to work together with split-second timing.

When Curiosity enters the Red Planet’s atmosphere, it will be traveling at 13,200 mph. Seven minutes later, it should be at rest on Mars’ surface. To relate, it’s like driving 65 mph down the highway and coming to a complete, controlled stop in 2.1 seconds. Not an easy feat!

[click the image below to see a larger view]

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26 July 2012
Posted in Press and Media

Orlando Science Center Welcomes New Trustees!

Eleven New Faces Named to the Board of Trustees

ALSO: Executive Committee Reassigned

ORLANDO, Fla. (July 25, 2012) - The Orlando Science Center has announced 11 new members to its Board of Trustees for the 2012-2015 term. Those elected are as follows:

Waymon Armstrong
President and CEO | Engineering & Computer Simulations

Mr. Armstrong’s firm is dedicated to utilizing PC-based game technology in an advanced distributed-learning environment. A graduate of Valencia College and the University of Central Florida, he’s currently developing new learning technologies for war fighters and first responders. He was named as a 2007 and 2009 finalist for Entrepreneur of the Year from Ernst and Young for the state of Florida. In 2010, he was awarded the SBA Region, State and National Small Business Person of the Year award.

Sara Brady
President | Sara Brady Public Relations, Inc.

Ms. Brady was named one of Orlando Magazine’s Top 50 Most Powerful People in 2011 for the third year in a row. A member of the Public Relations Society of America, she handles reputation management as well as corporate and crisis communications at the firm she opened in 2010. She previously spent five years as Vice President of Public Affairs and Community Relations with Bright House Networks, Central Florida Division.

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