What are the rings around the planet Saturn? What causes the fire inside the belly of Sun? What is spectroscopy? What are the different elements that are required for life to sustain on a planet? Why is Mars called the Red Planet? All these interesting questions were answered by Aswin Jacobs in the introductory session of Astronomy Workshop, which started at Schoolkutti.com Children’s Library today. Children were excited to learn that fire in the sun is not caused by burning like we see on earth, but due to the various nuclear reactions.

Today’s topic was ‘Lift off into Space’. Children tried to imagine how fast they would need to throw an object in such a way that the object does not return and remains in the outer space. All of them remembered what happens if they let the air out of a balloon – the air goes one way and the balloon moves in the opposite direction. Aswin explained that rockets work in pretty much the same way. Exhaust gases coming out of the engine nozzle at high speed push the rocket forward. Children enjoyed watching the accompanying videos.

Kids loved learning a wide range of fun facts about space and astronomy. They were not afraid to ask questions at any point and the session was quite successful in stimulating their curiosity and in expanding their cosmic perspective.