2007 in science facts for kids

The year 2007 was an exciting time for science, with many interesting discoveries and events happening around the world and even in space!

Amazing Events in Science

Eclipses: Shadows in the Sky

• March 3 - A total lunar eclipse happened. This is when the Earth passes directly between the Sun and the Moon, casting a shadow on the Moon and making it look reddish. People in parts of America and Asia, and all of Europe and Africa, could see this amazing sight.
• March 19 - A partial solar eclipse was visible in Asia. During a solar eclipse, the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, blocking some or all of the Sun's light. A partial eclipse means only part of the Sun was covered.
• August 28 - Another total lunar eclipse occurred. This one was visible in some parts of America and Asia, and across all of Australasia and the Pacific Ocean.

Discoveries in Space

• April 25 - Scientists found a new planet called Gliese 581 c. This planet orbits a star named Gliese 581. What made it so special is that it was one of the first exoplanets (planets outside our solar system) found that might be able to support liquid water, which is important for life!
• September 27 - NASA launched its spacecraft called Dawn. This robotic explorer was sent on an important mission to study two of the largest objects in the asteroid belt: Vesta and Ceres. It helped us learn more about the early solar system.

Important Scientists We Remember

• July 23 - Ernst Otto Fischer, a famous German scientist, passed away. He won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his work on how certain metal atoms bond with organic molecules.
• October 26 - Arthur Kornberg, an American biochemist, also passed away at 89 years old. He won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his discoveries about how DNA is made.

Images for kids

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  3 March 2007: A total lunar eclipse (time lapse shown).

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  26 October 2007: Arthur Kornberg, Nobel Prize-winning American biochemist.