Eight earthquakes shook southern Colorado yesterday and last night (August 22 and 23, 2011) according to the USGS. The largest earthquake was magnitude 5.3.
The animation illustrates ice flowing thousands of miles from the heart of the continent seaward on Antarctica to its coastlines. The map shows more detail.
Earth's moon was thought to be 4.57 billion years old, but a detailed analysis of lunar rock indicates it might be as much as 200 million years younger.
The sun emitted an X6.9 or X7 flare on August 9, 2011. X-flares are the biggest flares. Some radio blackouts might occur. Aurora alert in the next few days.
Deborah Byrd (asteroid 3505 Byrd) helps edit EarthSky.org and is a frequent host of EarthSky videos. Deborah 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. She has won a galaxy of awards from the broadcasting and science communities, including having an asteroid named in her honor in 1990, a Public Service Award from the National Science Board in 2003, and the Education Prize from the American Astronomical Society in 2020. 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.