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NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day
April 22, 2025
Terminator Moon: A Moonscape of Shadows
What's different about this Moon? It's the terminators. In the featured image, you can't directly see any terminator the line that divides the light of day from the dark of night. That's because the featured image is a digital composite of many near-terminator lunar strips over a full Moon. Terminator regions show the longest and most prominent shadows shadows which, by their contrast and length, allow a flat photograph to appear three-dimensional. The overlay images were taken over two weeks in early April. Many of the Moon's craters stand out because of the shadows they all cast to the right. The image shows in graphic detail that the darker regions known as maria are not just darker than the rest of the Moon – they are also flatter.
https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html
Sols 4515-4517: Silver Linings
Apr 21, 2025
Earth planning date: Friday, April 18, 2025
As the APXS operations person today, I was hopeful that we could plan a compositional measurement after brushing one of the bedrock blocks in front of the rover.
However, it soon became clear that the rover was not on stable enough ground to safely unstow the arm and place APXS and MAHLI.
Silver linings though; by not having any arm movement in this plan, which requires significant energy, we were able to conserve power for what we hope will be a busy week of upcoming science activities as we drive towards our next high priority area of interest – the so-called boxwork formations.
These are large resistant ridges identified from orbit, which may be the result of fracturing, fluid flow and alteration within the sulfate unit that we are traversing through.
We plan to image them on approach to gain insights into their context.
Despite the loss of arm activities, we still have plenty of interesting observations planned for this 3-sol weekend.
ChemCam will fire its laser at two separate rock targets, “Santa Ynez” and “Cahuilla”, which will also be captured with Mastcam documentation images.
The targets are on two different bedrock blocks with the “Cahuilla” raster focused on a thin resistant layer. ChemCam will also use its remote imaging capabilities to obtain mosaics of the “Texoli” butte and another interesting feature, “Torote Bowl”.
Mastcam will capture mosaics of “San Gabriel River” (an apparent angular contact) and of some sand troughs surrounding many of the bedrock blocks in this region. An image will also be acquired of a small, grey float pebble, “Piru Creek.”
The environmental science group was also able to plan a number of activities to catch up on their regular cadence, which has been impacted by the recent power constraints.
We are acquiring Navcam line of sight observations (x2), suprahorizon movies (x2), a zenith movie and a 360 degree sky survey, as well as a Mastcam sky survey.
Coordinated ChemCam passive sky and APXS atmospheric observations are also planned.
There is a ~19 m drive planned through this tricky terrain that will hopefully set us up for arm activities (APXS and MAHLI) in our new workspace next week.
The plan is completed with standard RAD, DAN and REMS activities, as well as two MARDI images to record the terrain beneath the rover in the current and new workspace.
https://science.nasa.gov/blog/sols-4515-4517-silver-linings/
NASA’s Lucy Spacecraft Images Asteroid Donaldjohanson
Apr 21, 2025
In its second asteroid encounter, NASA’s Lucy spacecraft obtained a close look at a uniquely shaped fragment of an asteroid that formed about 150 million years ago.
The spacecraft has begun returning images that were collected as it flew approximately 600 miles (960 km) from the asteroid Donaldjohanson on April 20, 2025.
The asteroid was previously observed to have large brightness variations over a 10-day period, so some of Lucy team members’ expectations were confirmed when the first images showed what appeared to be an elongated contact binary (an object formed when two smaller bodies collide).
However, the team was surprised by the odd shape of the narrow neck connecting the two lobes, which looks like two nested ice cream cones.
“Asteroid Donaldjohanson has strikingly complicated geology,” says Hal Levison, principal investigator for Lucy at Southwest Research Institute, Boulder, Colorado.
“As we study the complex structures in detail, they will reveal important information about the building blocks and collisional processes that formed the planets in our Solar System.”
From a preliminary analysis of the first available images collected by the spacecraft's L’LORRI imager, the asteroid appears to be larger than originally estimated, about 5 miles (8 km) long and 2 miles (3.5 km) wide at the widest point.
In this first set of high-resolution images returned from the spacecraft, the full asteroid is not visible as the asteroid is larger than the imager’s field of view.
It will take up to a week for the team to downlink the remainder of the encounter data from the spacecraft; this dataset will give a more complete picture of the asteroid’s overall shape.
Like Lucy’s first asteroid flyby target, Dinkinesh, Donaldjohanson is not a primary science target of the Lucy mission.
As planned, the Dinkinesh flyby was a system’s test for the mission, while this encounter was a full dress rehearsal, in which the team conducted a series of dense observations to maximize data collection.
Data collected by Lucy’s other scientific instruments, the L’Ralph color imager and infrared spectrometer and the L’TES thermal infrared spectrometer, will be retrieved and analyzed over the next few weeks.
The Lucy spacecraft will spend most of the remainder of 2025 travelling through the main asteroid belt. Lucy will encounter the mission’s first main target, the Jupiter Trojan asteroid Eurybates, in August 2027.
“These early images of Donaldjohanson are again showing the tremendous capabilities of the Lucy spacecraft as an engine of discovery,” said Tom Statler, program scientist for the Lucy mission at NASA Headquarters in Washington.
“The potential to really open a new window into the history of our solar system when Lucy gets to the Trojan asteroids is immense.”
https://science.nasa.gov/image-article/nasas-lucy-spacecraft-images-asteroid-donaldjohanson/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNBLyVsY-PA
Fifth dead whale found in San Francisco Bay
Updated: Apr 21, 2025 / 05:28 PM PDT
Another dead whale has washed up at a San Francisco Bay beach, The Marine Mammal Center confirmed Monday. It is the fifth dead whale found in the bay over the past few weeks.
The dead gray whale was seen at Alameda’s South Shore Beach on Monday. Video from the Citizen app showed the whale at the surf line behind yellow caution tape with onlookers nearby.
According to wildlife officials, it’s suspected that this whale is the same individual that was first seen floating near the USS Hornet Museum on Thursday.
On Friday, scientists took a skin and blubber sample from that whale, and determined that it was an adult female.
Cal Academy and East Bay Regional Parks arranged to have the dead gray whale towed to Angel Island State Park later this week for further investigation, TMMC said.
The planned necropsy, or animal autopsy, will seek to find the potential cause of death of the whale.
The dead whale in Alameda is the fifth in the Bay Area to be investigated by The Marine Mammal Center in 2025. On April 8, a minke whale was euthanized in Emeryville after repeated strandings.
Other dead gray whales were found in the bay April 4, April 2 and March 30. The cause of death of one of the whales was determined to be a probable ship strike, officials said.
https://www.kron4.com/news/bay-area/fifth-dead-whale-found-in-san-francisco-bay/
https://www.earthday.org/earth-day-2025-our-power-our-planet/
EARTH DAY THEME 2025
April 22, 2025
Our Power, Our Planet™
For 55 years, Earth Day has led the world in educating and mobilizing the public to take action to address critically important environmental issues.
We are global advocates for the health of the planet, calling for the protection of our air, oceans, soil, ecosystems, wildlife, and human health
April 22nd, 2025 will mark the 55th anniversary of Earth Day. 192 countries and over one billion people around the globe are expected to participate, demonstrating the longstanding convening power of Earth Day to bring people from all walks of life to work together for a better future.
Grassroots people-power has always been at the heart of Earth Day. It is the catalyst for paradigm-shifting change because when individuals unite with a common purpose, they can overcome even the most entrenched systems and industries.
As we approach this milestone, we celebrate a transformative reality: the solutions we need to create clean, inexpensive, and unlimited energy for the entire planet through renewable solar, wind and other technologies are within our reach.
This Earth Day 2025, let us commit to harnessing renewable energy to build a healthy, sustainable, equitable and prosperous future for all, let us commit to Renewable Energy Now
TRIPLE RENEWABLE GENERATION BY 2030
We are calling for renewable energy generation, globally, to be tripled by 2030. The production and use of renewable energy transcends economic systems, political borders and political parties, demonstrating a universal appeal.
CONSIDER THESE REMARKABLE RENEWABLE ENERGY FACTS
In 2023, the U.S. produced more solar power than ever before with California, Texas, Florida, North Carolina, Nevada and Arizona leading the solar revolution. They are helping to produce the cheapest electricity in history.
In the United States, Texas—long associated with oil production—now leads the nation in wind energy generation
The U.S. has used its existing drilling capacity to become the world’s leading producer of advanced geothermal energy.
California and Florida, polar opposites politically, are both at the forefront of the solar power boom
Across the U.S., solar capacity has grown over ten-fold in the last decade, and is poised to become the 2nd largest source of the U.S.’s generating capacity in the next few years
China and the U.S. (largely through the Inflation Reduction Act) are both making massive investments in renewable energy.
China is currently leading the world in both wind and solar, with twice as much capacity under construction as the rest of the world combined in 2024
Uruguay has transformed its energy sector, moving from being dependent on oil imports to generating 98% of its electricity from renewable sources
India has set ambitious goals for renewable energy, aiming to achieve 50% of its energy requirements from renewable sources by 2030.
Kenya is a leader in Africa, with geothermal power accounting for nearly half of its electricity generation. Geothermal can be beneficial for the electrical grid, as it puts less strain on it and can help mitigate blackouts.
Geothermal also emits 97% less acid rain-causing compounds and 99% less carbon dioxide.
A third of all homes in Australia use solar power.
In Brazil hydro-electric accounted for nearly 68% of its total electricity generation in 2023. In Italy hydro-electric accounts for 23% of the total electricity generation and is growing, and in Netherlands it accounts for 16%.
In Denmark, over 50% of the country’s electricity is generated from wind turbines and by 2026, wind energy will power 30% of the electricity needs of Spain, 17% of the electricity needs of the Netherlands, and 23% of the electricity needs of Germany.
RENEWABLE ENERGY COSTS ARE PLUMMETING
Over the past decade, the cost of manufacturing solar panels has plummeted dramatically, making them into one of the most affordable, and often the cheapest, form of electricity.
Solar module prices fell by up to 93% between 2010 and 2020. During the same period, the global weighted-average levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) for utility-scale solar PV projects fell by 85%.
THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF OPTING FOR CLEAN ENERGY
Renewable energy can spark a humanitarian revolution – for the first time in history, we have a pathway to providing virtually unlimited, low-cost energy to everyone.
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The per capita electricity usage of 3.8 billion people does not reach the Modern Energy Minimum (MEM), meaning such usage is under 1,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh)––the threshold for mitigating poverty.
Renewable energy can transform this situation, thus improving living standards and enhancing health outcomes.
Reducing air pollution caused from the burning of fossil fuels can significantly lower the risk of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, including asthma, bronchitis, heart attacks, and strokes.
Women are especially vulnerable to the adverse effects of air pollution and water contamination with these threats linked to an increased risk of developing breast cancer, ovarian diseases, and complications with maternal health.
Decreased greenhouse gas emissions help mitigate the risks associated with climate change, such as heatwaves, floods, and the spread of infectious diseases.
Mental health can be improved by reducing the stress and anxiety linked to pollution, climate change, noise pollution, and environmental disasters.
Reducing water pollution and improving water quality can significantly lower the risk of waterborne diseases.
Lowering the health care costs associated with pollution-related diseases can ease the strain put on healthcare systems and reduce medical expenses
THE ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF EXPANDING RENEWABLE ENERGY
This profound and fast-moving transition to renewable energy isn’t just an environmental necessity—it’s an economic revolution.
It will drive innovation across industry, transportation, and agriculture, spurring more technological advancements and creating millions of new jobs and opportunities, globally.
According to the 13th National Solar Jobs Census released in 2022, there are 263,883 solar energy workers across the U.S, working to manufacture, install, distribute, and carry out maintenance, marking a 3.5% growth in solar jobs compared to 2021.
Renewable energy represents a huge economic opportunity and will create 14 million new jobs globally. In 2023, renewable energy, worldwide, was worth $1.21 trillion and is projected to grow 17.2% annually from 2024 to 2030.
Investments in clean energy through the Inflation Reduction Act can collectively save U.S families $27-$38 billion, between 2022 and 2030.
RENEWABLE ENERGY REDUCES GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
“Renewable energy sources – which are available in abundance all around us, provided by the sun, wind, water, waste, and heat from the Earth – are replenished by nature and emit little to no greenhouse gasses or pollutants into the air.”
Switching to renewable energy sources is crucial for reducing greenhouse gas emissions because renewables generate electricity without producing carbon dioxide, the primary greenhouse gas. In contrast, fossil fuels are major emitters of greenhouse gases and thus are primary contributors to global warming.
According to the U.S Energy Information Administration in 2023, petroleum accounted for roughly 38% of U.S. energy consumption and was responsible for 47% of U.S energy-related CO2 emissions.
Natural gas accounted for 36% of energy use and contributed to 37% of these emissions. Coal accounted for around 9% of energy consumption and 16% of energy-related CO2 emissions.
THE POWER OF EARTH DAY MOVEMENT IS UNSTOPPABLE
The strength of this movement lies in its grassroots nature, and our power as individuals. It’s the collective voice of concerned citizens that pushes governments and corporations to make bold commitments and take decisive action.
By engaging in community initiatives, participating in local and national elections with renewable energy in mind, and making sustainable choices in daily life, individuals are the catalysts for change.
This people-powered revolution demonstrates that when we unite our voices and actions, we can overcome even the most recalcitrant systems and create a cleaner, more equitable energy future for all.
This Earth Day 2025, let us commit to harnessing renewable energy to build a healthy, sustainable, equitable and prosperous future for us all. Support and adopt the rapid transition to renewable energy sources now, be it solar, wind, hydro-electric, tidal or geothermal.
From Governments, to global industry and local businesses, from unions, to schools, religious leaders, to civil society, families and individuals.
Whether you are a town mayor, a trade union boss, a CEO, a banker, an artist, farmer, fisherman, teacher, or firefighter – the true power of this revolution lies in the hands of individuals like you.
People power is the driving force behind this transformation.
In 2025, as EARTHDAY.ORG turns 55, join us as we embrace a powerful, renewable future. It’s Our Power, it’s Our Planet.
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Alien: Earth - Earth Day Public Service Announcement
April 22, 2025
The IGN World Guide for Alien: Earth launched today, Earth Day 2025, and it provides fans of the acclaimed sci-fi horror franchise an exclusive look at the FX-Hulu series coming this summer.
As part of this launch, we’ve partnered with FX on this tongue-in-cheek Earth Day public service announcement.
We’re also rolling out a series of short videos across our social media channels this week chronicling the gestation of a xenomorph.
When a mysterious space vessel crash-lands on Earth, a young woman (Sydney Chandler) and a ragtag group of tactical soldiers make a fateful discovery that puts them face-to-face with the planet’s greatest threat in FX’s highly anticipated TV series Alien: Earth from creator Noah Hawley.
Alien: Earth is set in 2120 when five corporations - Prodigy, Weyland-Yutani, Lynch, Dynamic and Threshold - wield the power of nations, and proprietary advancements in technology provide the promise of a new tomorrow.
Lead by Chandler, the series showcases an expansive international cast which includes Alex Lawther, Timothy Olyphant, Essie Davis, Samuel Blenkin, Babou Ceesay, David Rysdahl, Adrian Edmondson, Adarsh Gourav, Jonathan Ajayi, Erana James, Lily Newmark, Diem Camille and Moe Bar-El.
FX's Alien: Earth original series coming in Summer 2025. Watch on Hulu.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y346zGJ3SKk
Celebrating Earth as Only NASA Can
Apr 21, 2025
From the iconic image of Earthrise taken by Apollo 8 crew, to the famous Pale Blue Dot image of Earth snapped by Voyager I spacecraft, to state-of-the-art observations of our planet by new satellites such as PACE (Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem), NASA has given us novel ways to see our home.
This Earth Day, NASA is sharing how — by building on decades of innovation—we use the unique vantage point of space to observe and understand our dynamic planet in ways that we cannot from the ground.
NASA has been observing Earth from space for more than 60 years, with cutting-edge scientific technology that can revolutionize our understanding of our home planet and provide benefits to all humanity.
NASA observations include land data that helps farmers improve crop production, research on the air we breathe, and studies of atmospheric layers high above us that protect every living thing on the planet.
“NASA Science delivers every second of every day for the benefit all, and it begins with how we observe our home planet from the unique vantage point of space,” said Nicky Fox, associate administrator, Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington.
“Our satellites, Mars rovers, astronauts and other NASA Science missions send back beautiful images of our planet, from the smallest of plankton to the pale blue dot, to help give us a comprehensive, detailed view of our home that we especially celebrate each Earth Day.”
NASA data and tools are vital to federal, state, local, and international governments to monitor and manage land, air, and water resources.
From mapping the ocean floor to finding critical mineral deposits to alerting land managers when fire risk is high, NASA’s data and information informs nearly every aspect of our economy and our lives.
“Another way NASA celebrates Earth Day is by sharing information about how our science benefits the entire nation, such as by providing U.S. farmers and ranchers with ongoing measurements of water, crop health, wildfire predictions, and knowledge of what is being grown around the world,” said Karen St. Germain, director of NASA’s Earth Science Division at the agency’s headquarters in Washington.
“This data informs field level farming and ranching decisions with impact felt as far as the commodity-trading floor and our grocery stores.”
Next up for NASA’s work to help mitigate natural disasters is a mission called NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) which is a partnership between NASA and ISRO (India Space Research Organisation).
NISAR, which is targeted to launch later this year, will measure land changes from earthquakes, landslides, and volcanos, producing more NASA science data to aid in disaster response.
The mission’s radar will detect movements of the planet’s surface as small as 0.4 inches over areas about the size of half a tennis court.
By tracking subtle changes in Earth’s surface, it will spot warning signs of imminent volcanic eruptions, help to monitor groundwater supplies, track the melt rate of ice sheets tied to sea level rise, and observe shifts in the distribution of vegetation around the world.
From our oceans to our skies, to our ice caps, to our mountains, and to our rivers and streams, NASA’s Earth observations enhance our understanding of the world around us and celebrate the incredible planet we call home.
https://www.nasa.gov/earth/earth-day/celebrating-earth-as-only-nasa-can/
https://science.nasa.gov/multimedia/earth-day-2025-poster/