Elementary Science Lessons: Startling Similarities Between Nature and Space

Have you ever wondered why there are so many similarities within the universe, and within our world? Shapes and motions occurring within nature and beyond, urge us to explore, and derive meaning from them; such as the similarities between whirlpools, whirlwinds, tornadoes, and hurricanes. There are also startling similarities between newly discovered space bubbles, and cell mitosis!

Swirling Whirlpools

Whirlpools of water have all the visual characteristics of looking down upon a hurricane, as viewed from outer space. Satellite photos taken from space, focused over hurricanes appear to have the same properties, whether looking down over river-water whirlpools, or over monster moisture-filled hurricane clouds. The swirling creates an unmistakable, single hollow air-pocket, vortex, or eye.

According to Spiral Wishing Wells, "Whirlpools Myths and Facts" online; most of the naturally-occurring whirlpools turn counterclockwise north of the equator, and clockwise south of the equator. See water whirlpool photos, as they would look if viewed underwater, and then scroll down for an overhead view here.

To get a better idea about viewing a whirlpool from underwater, we can look at almost any tornado photo; however this particular picture also has a lightening bolt striking concurrently. Notice how the lightening branches off the main bolt, and looks very similar to a plant underground root system.

Now compare the overhead water whirlpool photos, to a NASA satellite, aerial view of 1992's hurricane Andrew here. These large swirling patterns are also represented when looking at our solar system, from further out in space, as depicted in these NASA photos.

Whirlpool Experiments

Spiral Wishing Well online, has complete step-by-step directions for making a "Whirlpool in a Bottle" from two large plastic soda bottles, per these instructions.

For another simple experiment, try replicating a whirlpool/tornado in a tall clear, water-filled glass, as depicted in this Wikipedia picture. Demonstrate using a wire egg whisk, drink mixer, or electric beater, to provide your students with a 360 degree view.

Incredible Mitosis-Appearing Space Bubbles

Gigantic space bubbles have just been discovered, spanning a distance of 50,000 light years across, from one end to the other, which appear to mimic cell mitosis (cell division) to replicate itself as it grows. This space anomaly within our own solar system was just unveiled, and reported in The Telegraph online newspaper, with an absolutely incredible picture, showing identical twin gas bubbles, forming above, and below the Milky Way horizon line, revealed here.

Now compare this anomalous space-bubble image, to the microscopic cytokinesis stage of animal cell mitosis, from the easy-to-understand animation from Cells Alive online. This particular phase of animal cell mitosis, follows the telophase of cell division (pulling chromosomes apart at its farthest point) just prior to complete autonomous, cell separation of interphase. The cytokinesis stage of cell division is mimicked by the space bubbles, as they appear in the NASA photo, showing perfectly formed bubble/cells, both above and below the Milky Way dividing line.

Space-Bubble Mitosis Experiment/Discussion

Provide Bazooka bubble gum to all students instructing them to chew half at a time, blowing bubbles as large as they can, without popping them. Then have them take the bubbles out of their mouths, to place on top of a 3" x 5" index card. Repeat by placing another bubble-gum bubble below the card, so that each student can create their own oxygen-filled (gas) bubble/cell, with the flat index card serving as the Milky Way dividing line.

Allow your students to conclude their scientific discoveries, by class reflections. Once all the data has been discussed, have each child theorize about the purpose, or outcome of this fantastic space-bubble phenomenon. This could open up a brisk discussion of Creationism over Darwinian evolution (school districts permitting).