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Old moon over Kitt Peak

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February 8, 2016

View larger. | John Ashley of Montana, who is traveling in the U.S. Southwest, caught this very old moon over Kitt Peak National Observatory on February 7, 2016. — View larger. | Photo by John Ashley of Montana, who is traveling in the U.S. Southwest.

John Ashley submitted this photo on Sunday, February 7, 2016, which he captured at Kitt Peak National Observatory, located about 50 miles southwest of Tuscon, Arizona. He wrote:

From my morning trip into the desert, a 1.3% sliver moon rises behind the 4-meter Mayall telescope on Kitt Peak, in southern Arizona.

This image was made 24 hours and 10 minutes ahead of new moon, so this crescent moon is 28.5 days old.

This faint sliver dissolved into the dawn just a few minutes after rising.

Thank you, John!

Kitt Peak is a fun place to visit …

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February 8, 2016

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Deborah Byrd

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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.