Christopher Langton is a scientist who works in the area where physics, biology, and computation overlap. He was one of the early scientists at the Santa Fe Institute, where he initiated the field of Artificial Life. He is currently working on a book about the origin and evolution of life and mind.

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Amazing image! Moon transiting Earth

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July 19, 9:56 AM

by Christopher Langton, S.F. Science Examiner

For astronomers, a "transit" is an event where one celestial body passes in front of, and partially occludes, another, as viewed from the planet Earth. The moons of Jupiter are frequently recorded passing in front of that giant gas planet. Mercury is often recorded passing in front of the sun.

Well, the Earth has a moon too, but nobody has ever seen a transit of the Earth by our Moon, because, well, we can't see it from the Earth. We have to get outside of the Earth-Moon system and look back, and we have not had "eyes" in the right position in space to observe the phenomenon.

Until now.

The NASA Deep Impact probe was in just the right position last May, and took this sequence showing the Moon transiting the Earth:

There is a video of the transit here.... NASA video

I don't know about you, but for someone who has dragged himself out of bed at all hours of the night to observe transits of other planets by other moons, seeing a transit of our planet by our moon brought about a deep intellectual and emotional closure that I had not realized was wanting until that moment.

Other Resources:

NASA's deep Impact lunar transit page has more images and more video of the event.

Topics: science , earth , moon , transit , Deep Impact , NASA

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This week in science: 11/17 - 11/23

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November 17, 3:25 PM

Two Lectures on Monday evening kick off the science events this week. First, another installment of Richard Muller's "physics for future presidents" series at the Down to a Science Cafe. The lecture this time will be on issues surrounding nuclear... Read More
Topics: science , Events and lectures

This week in science: 11/12 - 11/16

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November 12, 4:45 PM

Highlights this week include a sure-to-be-captivating lecture on time by the well known psychologist Philip Zimbardo at the Commonwealth Club on Wednesday lecture. The same evening, rush on over to the Axis Cafe, where the monthly Ask a Scientist meeting... Read More
Topics: science , events , lectures

This week in science: 10/27 - 11/2

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October 27, 3:18 PM

The Leakey Foundation celebrates 40 years of research on human origins Thursday through Saturday this week at the California Academy of Sciences. Events include award winning primatology films, lectures by eminent primate researchers Jane Goodall and... Read More
Topics: science , Events and lectures

This week in science: 10/20 - 10/26

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October 20, 1:20 PM

Science events and lectures around the San Francisco Bay area this week. Highlights this week include what is sure to be a lively and controversial talk by Aubery de Grey on viewing the aging process as a disease that can - and should - be cured. de... Read More
Topics: science , Lectures and events

UPDATE: This week in science: 10/7 - 10/12

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October 7, 5:05 PM

UPDATE: Come early to the Ask a Scientist event Tuesday evening, Oct. 7. The Fire Dept. has cut the capacity of the AXIS Cafe to 85 (down from 185!) and no one will be allowed to stand outside. More than 85 cannot be allowed in tonight. This... Read More
Topics: science , Lectures and events

UPDATE: This week in science: 9/29 - 10/5

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September 29, 1:55 PM

Science lectures and events in the San Francisco Bay area this week. Topics include physics for future presidents, black-hole wars, a debate on stem-cell research, mathematical modeling of humans, the Earth without humans, and long-term green planning.... Read More
Topics: science , events , lectures

California Academy of Sciences - a quick tour of the exhibits

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September 26, 3:12 PM

I had the opportunity to get an early guided tour of the fantastic new California Academy of Sciences natural history museum. As promised in my prior article, here are some photos and notes from the tour. (All pictures taken by me unless otherwise noted.)... Read More
Topics: science , museum , California Academy of Sciences

California Academy of Sciences' new cathedral of life on Earth

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September 25, 3:25 PM

The California Academy of Sciences Museum, which re-opens to the public this weekend, Sept 27 & 28, adds a true first water diamond to San Francisco's already stunning architectural crown A few words about the setting. Lying on the south side... Read More
Topics: science , museum , California Academy of Sciences , cathedral

This week in science: 9/22 - 9/28

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September 22, 4:55 PM

The week starts with a lecture Monday evening on the world's largest optical telescope, the Large Binocular Telescope in Arizona, at the Jewish Community Center. The really big news this week, however, is the grand re-opening of the California Academy... Read More
Topics: science , lectures , telescopes , earthquake , museum