Cooperative Living March/April 2014 - 38

Hourglasses
CALLING ALL
Sometime during the 14th century, the sandglass or
hourglass came into existence. The flowing sand would
work day, night and in all weather, but it only measured
a given length of time. You probably learned
about the power of this time-keeper the first time you
saw The Wizard of Oz. Remember the terrifying moment
when the Wicked Witch of the West turned the
hour glass over and told Dorothy she had only an hour to live?
Also during this same time period, the earliest
mechanical clocks were invented. Located in towers and
monasteries, these enormous clocks had neither hands
nor a face. They rang a huge bell announcing only
the hour with the correct number of bongs.
By the 1700s clocks were much improved, with
a face and two hands that allowed a person to tell time to the minute.
Today there is no need to worry about determining the correct time.
It's available on our walls, phones, computers, stoves, TVs and wrists.
But even though the struggle for tracking time is over, time is still a
puzzling concept. Many scientists even consider time to be an illusion -something
that is wrongly understood or misinterpreted by the senses.
In other words, maybe time isn't really what we think it is.
Most people won't be too concerned about this theory. They will simply
continue living with a past, present and future that's been built into
their language, thought and behavior.
However, there will be others who will want to explore this intriguing
subject. If you are one of these people, consider becoming a physicist so
that someday you can offer new views and insights and a better understanding
of the mystery of time.
But for right now, don't you think it's about time ...
... to create your own shadow experiments?! Hay Seed and City
Slicker suggest that you gather sticks and
stones and step into the sunshine. They
are giving you no directions other than
a few hints and a website with ideas
and pictures of other kids' projects:
www.sunclocks.com.
Enjoy your research and remember,
" time flies when you're having fun, " so
hold on tight!
Shadow Stick Clocks
Hint: If you want your hour markers to be evenly spaced, then the stick
must be stuck in the ground at an angle matching the latitude at your location.
To find the correct latitude that will align your stick with the earth's
axis, go to mynasadata.larc.nasa.gov/latitudelongitude-finder, then
use a protractor to angle the stick the correct number of degrees toward
the north using a compass.
Personal shadow clock (You become a sundial)
Hint: You'll need a friend to mark off the hours for you by placing a
rock at the tip of your shadow. Be sure to mark the center of your clock so
that you'll return to the same spot for each hour's measurement.
36
SUPER SLEUTHS:
When the power goes off and is later
restored, most people don't think about how
the exact time is determined as they reset all
their blinking digital clocks. However, there is
an official time standard that is set by a very
special kind of clock.
For a chance to win $25, do the following:
* Find a representation of this unique clock
hidden in the magazine and give its name
and page number.
* What is the name of the official timekeeper
for the United States? (It is also the official
time source for the Department of Defense.)
Enter online at www.co-opliving.com or send
answers with your name, address and phone
number to:
Cooperative Living Super Sleuth
P.O. Box 2340
Glen Allen, VA 23058-2340.
The time is right for ...
HEIRLOOM ZINNIA SEEDS!
To receive seeds, send: $2,
A self-addressed envelope
(51
⁄2
Anne M. Dellinger
3328 Red Banks Rd.
Mt. Jackson, VA 22842
JANUARY ISSUE SUPER SLEUTH
Our January issue KIDS' KORNER Super
Sleuth Challenge called on readers to venture
outdoors and do some star gazing. They
learned about efforts to reduce the light pollution
that makes it difficult to see the stars in
urban areas, including the installation of darksky-friendly
light fixtures and restricting use of
artificial lighting along coastlines and bird migration
routes.
For a chance to win $25, entrants were
challenged to identify the state in which the first
Dark Sky Park was established in 2006 and
give the name of this park, a place where light
pollution is minimal and stars are brilliant and
abundant. Respondents were also asked to
provide the page number
(page 36) on which they
found an image that
provides a clue. The correct
answers are Utah and
Natural Bridges Park. Our
$25 winner is Cheyenne
Stembridge from Red Oak.
Congratulations, Cheyenne!
* The best thing about the future is that it comes one day at a time. - Abraham Lincoln
Cooperative Living/March-April 2014
x8 but no larger than 6x10),
and 2 regular stamps to:
http://www.co-opliving.com http://www.sunclocks.com http://mynasadata.larc.nasa.gov/latitudelongitude-finder
Cooperative Living March/April 2014

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