Ever since humans looked up at the skies, they have been inspired by space - sunsets and sunrises, the sweep of stars in the Milky Way and the passage of the planets. Below are videos and links to pages that deal with music and space, beginning with perhaps the most famous of classical works by Gustav Holst, "The Planets". Even if you haven't listened to much orchestral music, if you are a fan of Star Wars (and who isn't?) you will recognise at least some of this massive work. Research Question: Why are there only seven planets in Holst's composition and why are they arranged in this order?
And now onto some more contemporary musical works, including some of the most popular tracks of all time AND the first recorded music in space, astronaut Chris Hadfield's cover of David Bowie's Space Oddity. What other music can you find that has a planetary theme in it?
Challenge: Can you perform, either solo or in a group, a cover of any space related song?
Header Image: Cloudy Skies: NASA on the Commons, Image Number: 4390436850_72fa8d88a7_o Date: July 11, 2005