Our Planet from Space: Pedagogical Implications of the DISH Earth Channel

Abstract

A new camera attached to EchoStar 11, a geostationary communications satellite, recently started sending breathtaking and near real-time images of Earth. Available on one of DISH Network’s channels, viewers can see our planet 24/7, including occasional appearances by the Sun, the Moon, Venus, and space debris.

These images present an excellent opportunity to teach about the Sun-Earth-Moon system. The purpose of this article is to introduce the DISH Earth channel to science educators, to provide a teacher-tested sample

lesson plan using DISH Earth channel videos, and to suggest additional topics that could be explored with this newly available resource.