Maybe you’ve noticed Earth’s shadow – or at least seen photos of Earth’s shadow – descending in the west before dawn, or ascending in the east after sunset. Once you know to look for it, it’s possible to notice it on clear evenings, even from small cities, if you get up high enough. Eliot Herman wrote:
It has been so hot here that I just haven’t wanted to set up my telescopes before dark or, even worse, use a solar scope in the heat … but I have been getting up early and refining the Earth shadow in infrared (IR) and think I really have it now. It shows very nicely at 830 nm IR.
I could never see the shadow when I lived in the city. Here, at the right time of year, I see it many mornings. I let my mind imagine it projecting out into space making on occasion that lunar eclipse with such vivid colors.
Deborah Byrd created the EarthSky radio series in 1991 and founded EarthSky.org in 1994. Prior to that, she had worked for the University of Texas McDonald Observatory since 1976, and created and produced their Star Date radio series. Today, she serves as Editor-in-Chief of this website. She has won a galaxy of awards from the broadcasting and science communities, including having an asteroid named 3505 Byrd in her honor. In 2020, she won the Education Prize from the American Astronomical Society, the largest organization of professional astronomers in North America. A science communicator and educator since 1976, Byrd believes in science as a force for good in the world and a vital tool for the 21st century. "Being an EarthSky editor is like hosting a big global party for cool nature-lovers," she says.
Like what you read? Subscribe and receive daily news delivered to your inbox.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.