Posts by Deborah

melting_ice_Arctic
Feb 21, 2012 Earth 11 Comments

Peter Gleick steps forward as spark to Heartland climate Denial Gate

Scientist Peter Gleick has admitted to soliciting and receiving materials from the Heartland Institute under someone else’s name.

11feb19_430
Feb 21, 2012 Tonight 2 Comments

The Hare and the Dove below the Hunter

Two meek animals seem to cower at the feet of the constellation Orion the Hunter. They are Lepus the Hare and Columba the Dove.

Sirius A and B

Star of the Week: Sirius is Dog Star and brightest star

Sirius – in the constellation Canis Major the Greater Dog – is the sky’s brightest star. It’s very easy to spot on winter and spring evenings.

10feb14_430
Feb 18, 2012 Tonight 17 Comments

Double Cluster of Perseus in northwest evening sky

Face the northwestern horizon as darkness falls on February evenings to find the Double Cluster in the constellation Perseus.

10feb13_430
Feb 17, 2012 Tonight 13 Comments

Cassiopeia the Queen is shaped like an M or W

Our sky chart shows Cassiopeia the Queen in the hours after sunset on these February evenings. This constellation has the shape of the letter M or W.

10feb11_430
Feb 16, 2012 Tonight 5 Comments

For those at southerly latitudes, Canopus!

For the southern U.S., the star Canopus appears below Sirius this month in the southern evening sky. These are the sky’s two brightest stars!

Canopus seen from ISS

Star of the Week: Canopus is home star of fictional Arrakis of Dune

From southerly latitudes, you’ll easily find Canopus on February evenings. Look southward below brilliant Sirius. Canopus is our second-brightest star.

zebras_300
Feb 15, 2012 Biodiversity 1 Comment

How zebras got their stripes

The exquisite stripes on zebras have been explained in many ways. A recent explanation involves blood-sucking horseflies.

6.0-magnitude quake February 14, 2012 off Oregon coast
Feb 15, 2012 Earth Leave a comment

Strong 6.0 earthquake struck off Oregon coast on February 14

The USGS reported that the quake off the Oregon coast on February 14, 2012 was felt as far away as San Francisco.

Adrienne Haschke.  Used with permission.
Feb 14, 2012 Human World 8 Comments

For you, Valentine: Top 10 reasons we fall in love

On this Valentine’s Day 2012, what the world of science suggests about the mystery we call love.