NASA launches the next space shuttle on November 16th, and within its payload will be three late instar monarch caterpillars. The caterpillars will be placed aboard the International Space Station inside a small rearing chamber and an incubator. Still and video images of the experiment will be available online.
Monarch butterflies are headed to the International Space Station.
Photo: Courtesy of NASA
Monarch Watch is looking for 20 classrooms to help monitor the development of the butterflies in space. To be eligible, your school must be in the U.S., east of the Rockies (sorry West Coast schools!). If you would like to participate, you must contact Monarch Watch at monarch@ku.edu no later than 5 pm on November 6th.
Monarch Watch will send a special monarch larva kit to participating schools. The monarch kit costs $17.95 and the overnight shipping will be an additional $26 for a total of $43.95. BioServe Space Technologies will send participating classrooms a kit that includes a rearing chamber (similar to the one going into space) with instructions.
For additional information, email Monarch Watch at monarch@ku.edu.
More Ways to Keep Up With About Insects
Have a bug question? Visit the Insects Forum
Sign up for my free newsletter
Follow me on Twitter: AboutInsects
Become a fan on facebook
Comments
will the rest of us be able to see the experiment online, and if so, where?
That’s my understanding, but I don’t have any details yet. I will post them when I know more.