Latest stories from the News Desk

Solar Eclipse Mythbusting by NASA

Americans are eagerly waiting for the solar eclipse passing over the United States on August 21 that can be viewed by more than 300 million people. Every state in the US can get at least a partial view of the eclipse when the Moon completely covers the Sun. While many know of the risks of watching a solar eclipse with naked eyes, the celestial event has been viewed by millions over the years. However, there are several misconceptions surrounding solar eclipse. Below are few such myths busted by NASA.
Solar Eclipse Science Reveals the Pace of Time is Changing

A day on Earth is longer than it used to be. The increase is tiny. Over the span of a hundred years the Earth’s day will increase by only a few milliseconds. It’s only been in the past few decades that we’ve been able to measure Earth with enough precision to see this effect directly. Using atomic clocks and ultra-precise measurements of distant quasars, we can measure the length of a day to within nanoseconds. Our measurements are so precise that we can observe various fluctuations in the length of a day due to things like earthquakes. Those fluctuations make it a challenge to answer another question: How has Earth’s rotation changed over longer periods of time?
Augmented Reality Explanation of How Solar Eclipse Happens

With an elaborate augmented reality display, The Weather Channel set the stage for what to expect Monday when the total solar eclipse passes along the entire continental United States. No AR gimmicks were needed to remind everyone to be smart on August 21; even a partial eclipse can fry your naked eyes.