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57th anniversary of North America’s biggest earthquake

Posted by in Earth | Human World | 3 weeks ago
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On Good Friday, March 27, 1964, south-central Alaska heaved under one of the most powerful earthquakes ever recorded, registering a 9.2 on the Richter scale.

Today in science: A spacecraft obliterated a sundog

Posted by in Earth | Human World | 2 months ago
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On February 11, 2010, a solar observatory launched into space ripped apart a sundog and created a new ice halo that amazed scientists.

Anniversary of mysterious parade of meteors

Posted by and in Human World | Space | 2 months ago
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On February 9, 1913, lucky observers witnessed the Great Meteor Procession, when bright meteors soared horizontally across the sky in a stately marching rank for minutes at a time.
Isaac Newton.

Happy birthday to Isaac Newton

Posted by and in Human World | 3 months ago
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Isaac Newton, born on January 4, 1643, discovered the laws of motion and other principles that laid the foundation of physics and astronomy.

Chuck Yeager – personification of the ‘right stuff’ – dies at 97

Posted by in Human World | 4 months ago
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Charles E. “Chuck” Yeager, a military test pilot, became the first to break the sound barrier on October 14, 1947. Afterwards, he was dubbed “the fastest man alive.” He died December 7 at age 97.

The 1st intentional radio message to space was sent via Arecibo

Posted by in Space | 5 months ago
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Iconic Arecibo telescope is now slated for decommissioning. But its multi-faceted legacy will live on. In 1974, for example, Arecibo sent earthlings’ first intentional message to the cosmos.

Today in science: Asaph Hall finds Mars moon Phobos

Posted by and in Space | 8 months ago
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On this date in 1877, American astronomer Asaph Hall discovered the first small moon known to be orbiting Mars. Scientists now think this moon – called Phobos – is the latest incarnation of a cyclic ring-moon formation process that goes back billions of years.

This day in 2013: The Day the Earth Smiled

Posted by and in Space | 9 months ago
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Today is the anniversary of The Day the Earth Smiled, the 3rd-ever image of Earth from the outer solar system, taken by the great Cassini spacecraft on July 19, 2013.

Many Yuri’s Night celebrations are this weekend

Posted by in Human World | Space | 1 year ago
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Yuri Gagarin was a Russian pilot who became the first human to travel to space, in 1961. His fascinating story -plus links to Yuri’s Night celebrations that you can join online – here.

John Glenn was the 1st American to orbit Earth

Posted by in Space | 1 year ago
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On February 20, 1962, John Glenn became the 1st American to orbit Earth and the first American space hero.

Happy birthday, Nicolaus Copernicus

Posted by in Human World | 1 year ago
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In 1543, Copernicus tried to show the world that medieval beliefs of an enclosed, Earth-centered universe were wrong. Instead, he said, Earth revolves around the sun. His work set off what’s known today as the Copernican Revolution.

Today in science: Clyde Tombaugh discovers Pluto

Posted by in Space | 1 year ago
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On this date in 1930, Clyde Tombaugh was searching for a 9th planet when he discovered Pluto. In doing so, he unknowingly opened the door to the vast “3rd zone” of our solar system, known today as the Kuiper Belt.

Day of remembrance: Space Shuttle Challenger disaster

Posted by in Human World | Space | 1 year ago
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After 24 successful missions, shuttle launches seemed routine. That’s why those watching the launch of the space shuttle Challenger on January 28, 1986, started out excited, but soon were in a state of disbelief. Then NASA confirmed the worst.
A crescent image of Uranus and Voyager 2 leaves the planet.

Today in science: Voyager 2 met Uranus

Posted by in Space | 1 year ago
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Voyager 2 swept closest to Uranus on this day 34 years ago. During its visit, the spacecraft sent data that revealed 2 new planetary rings, 10 new moons, radiation belts, and a very unusual magnetic field.

Edmond Halley’s magnificent prediction

Posted by and in Human World | Space | 1 year ago
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Born on today’s date in the year 1656, English astronomer and mathematician Edmond Halley was the first to predict the return of a comet. Today, Halley’s Comet – the most famous of all comets – bears his name.

It’s been 20 years since the Day of 6 Billion

Posted by in Human World | 2 years ago
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Our global human population was estimated to reach 6 billion on today’s date in 1999. Eleven years later, in 2011, Earth had gained another billion people. Today – October 12, 2019 – it stands at about 7.7 billion, according to United Nations estimates.

Today in science: 1st planet orbiting a sunlike star

Posted by and in Space | 2 years ago
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On October 6, 1995, astronomers Michel Mayor and Didier Queloz announced the momentous discovery of the 1st planet in orbit around a distant sunlike star. 51 Pegasi b has about half the mass of Jupiter. It orbits a star not unlike our sun.
Man in white coat doing something to large metal ball with antennas.

Today in science: Launch of Sputnik

Posted by and in Space | 2 years ago
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Sputnik’s unassuming beep ushered in the Space Age. Hear it here.

Today in science: Happy birthday Albert J. Myer

Posted by in Earth | 2 years ago
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As you check your local weather forecast today, give a nod to Albert J. Myer, born on this date in 1828, who helped to establish the US National Weather Service.

Golden ball of Saturn, surrounded by nearly edgewise rings, and a little dot of a moon.

40 years ago today: Pioneer 11 swept past Saturn

Posted by in Space | 2 years ago
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Pioneer 11 was the first spacecraft ever to encounter Saturn. A true pioneer, it paved the way for 2 more sophisticated missions – the 2 Voyagers in 1980 and ’81 – and Cassini from 2004 to 2017.