Tag Archive: Earth


NASA

Stargazers around the world are setting up special telescopes and passing out cardboard eclipse glasses to view the once-in-a-lifetime celestial cameo of Venus passing in front of the sun.

The transit of Venus – a planetary spectacle that won’t occur again until 2117 – won’t be enough to significantly block the sun’s light, but it will give Earth’s closest star a moving beauty mark. Venus is currently Earth’s closest neighboring planet, although Mars occasionally has that distinction.
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AP

The SpaceX Dragon capsule left the International Space Station on Thursday and aimed for a Pacific splashdown to end its historic flight.

Astronauts set the world’s first commercial supply ship loose after a five-day visit, releasing the vessel with the space station’s robot arm. The Dragon slowly backed away from the 250-mile-high outpost, on track for a midday return to Earth, six hours later.

The targeted splashdown zone is 560 miles west of Baja California.
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ESR Image

A moderate Texas earthquake today, 2012 was felt in Shreveport, Louisiana. The Texas earthquake was roughly seventy miles west of the Louisiana state line and struck in the predawn morning hours. No reports of injuries have yet to be detailed by local news.

USGS reports to news that a moderate 4.3 magnitude Texas earthquake erupted today Thursday, May 17, 2012 shortly after 3 am local time. The quake, however, had a nominal depth. USGS indicates to news that the quake began only three miles below the earth’s surface. As result, the moderate quake could be felt across the region.
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AP

It may have been only an optical illusion, but what a sight. The biggest and brightest full moon of the year arrived Saturday night and glowed around the world.

In Brazil it illuminated the landmark Christ the Redeemer statue and later set behind a shanty town. In Florida, fishermen worked their lines amid the moonlight in Bal Harbour. And near Athens, tourists watched as the moon rose behind the Temple of Poseidon.
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NASA/AP

DEVELOPING: The largest solar storm in five years — spawned by a double whammy of flares from the sun — has engulfed Earth, but scientists say the planet has lucked out so far.

The storm arrived more peacefully Thursday morning than it could have. Scientists say that could change as the storm spends the day shaking the planet’s magnetic field. Airlines and power grid operators were warned of potential issues from the storm — and some reported taking precautionary steps just in case. View full article »

AP

Scientists are keeping a close eye on a big asteroid that may pose an impact threat to Earth in a few decades.

The space rock, which is called 2011 AG5, is about 460 feet (140 meters) wide. It may come close enough to Earth in 2040 that some researchers are calling for a discussion about how to deflect it.

Talk about the asteroid was on the agenda during the 49th session of the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS), held earlier this month in Vienna. View full article »

AP

A window of time just opened in Yosemite National Park when nature photographers wait, as if for an eclipse, until the moment when the sun and earth align to create a fleeting phenomenon.

This marvel of celestial configuration happens in a flash at sunset in mid-February — if the winter weather cooperates. On those days the setting sun illuminates one of the park’s lesser-known waterfalls so precisely that it resembles molten lava as it flows over the sheer granite face of the imposing El Capitan. View full article »

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