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Category: Astronomy/Mathematics

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You, Me and Debris: The Perseid Meteor Shower

Posted by: Jennifer Harbster

The 2010 Perseid Meteor shower began  July 13 and lasts until August 26. Next week (Aug. 12-13), the Earth will be passing through the densest part of the debris field from the comet Swift-Tuttle (originator of the Perseids).  This will be the peak time to view the meteor shower. Primarily visible in the Northern Hemisphere …

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Martin Gardner (1914-2010)

Posted by: Jennifer Harbster

If you were having a dinner party and could invite any three people, who would you invite? My guest list would include Einstein, Marilyn Monroe, and Martin Gardner.   If you know of Martin Gardner’s work, then you know why I would want him at my dinner party.  He was a great thinker and could discuss …

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What’s for lunch : A Mars Update

Posted by: Jennifer Harbster

What have scientists learned so far about Mars? Does life exist there? Will human beings someday colonize the Red Planet? NASA Goddard Space Flight Center’s Chief Scientist James B. Garvin will discuss the latest findings and the Mars exploration strategy, in a lecture at the Library of Congress. Wednesday, March 17, 2010 Library of Congress, …

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Stars in His Eyes

Posted by: Jennifer Harbster

Today’s post is from guest author Margaret Clifton, science reference librarian. Four hundred years ago, in March of 1610, a pamphlet-like little book was published in Venice. The title page, as translated from New Latin*,sums up its contents with unabashed enthusiasm: “Revealing great, unusual, and remarkable spectacles, opening these to the consideration of every man, …