Whether we like it or not, just about everything changes – from our bodies acquiring new wrinkles to fashion trends that differ by the week.
But what about the world itself? Just like us, Earth doesn't stay the same. Some of the changes have been beneficial, while others are quite troubling.
Now a partnership between Google, NASA and Time is revealing how our planet has radically changed over the decades.
The new TIME Timelapse website allows users to view how the Earth has altered through millions of time-lapsed satellite images.
With a few clicks, you can learn how climate change, urban expansion and population growth have modified the planet.
Click on the above video to learn about Timelapse and get a taste of what you will find on the website.
For most of us, this Friday will be devoted to recovering from Valentine’s Day, or running to the store to buy a belated gift because you forgot that special day.
For Ed Lu, and anyone keeping up with space news recently, February 15 is significant for another reason.
The former NASA astronaut will be tracking 2012 DA14, a medium-sized asteroid expected to get so close to Earth that it will pass under all of the communications satellites orbiting our planet.
No one expects the asteroid to strike us, but Lu says it’s a warning that medium and large-sized asteroids are a threat to Earth.
Lu has devoted his life to tracking such asteroids, and he is working at launching a space telescope dedicated at finding, mapping and tracking asteroids that could harm the planet.
Lu spoke with CNN’s Dr. Sanjay Gupta about his mission. Catch a preview by clicking on the above video (part 1), and the one below (part 2). Watch the full interview Sunday at 2:30 pm ET on CNN’s The Next List.
By James Dinan, CNN
I remember where I was when I learned of the space shuttle Columbia tragedy.
I was in a classroom on the campus of George Washington University in Washington that Saturday, February 1, 2003, volunteering as a reader for a college quiz bowl tournament – think a team version of “Jeopardy!” I was eating lunch with other staffers when the tournament director raced into our room. He apologized for running late but explained it was because he had just learned what happened to Columbia.
After briefly telling us what he had found out, he sent us with our question packets to the game rooms, where the teams were waiting. But before we left, the director asked that, before the first question was read, we let the players know about Columbia and allow a brief moment of silence for prayer and/or reflection.
I don’t remember much about that day after the tournament director’s announcement, and I doubt that many of the players and fellow staff do as well. Wins and losses didn’t really matter that Saturday as our minds were focused on the lives lost on Columbia.
Click on the above video to look back at CNN’s coverage of the Columbia tragedy and comment below on what you remember about that day.
If you had the chance to ask an astronaut one question about space travel, what would it be?
Some may ask what it’s like to be weightless, while others may inquire about the bathroom facilities available on a shuttle or space station.
But what about grooming? Hey, an astronaut has to look good for a NASA briefing or publicity photo! Thankfully, Chris Hadfield is here to help.
Hadfield is the Canadian astronaut who made headlines by posting a series of photos taken from the International Space Station, which he’ll take command of in March, on Twitter. Now he’s back to teach us the art of cutting one’s fingernails while living in space. Click on the above video to find out more!
Every child has likely grown up with the dream of traveling into space and exploring the universe. Even a few adults have imagined taking a break from the rat race to see the Earth and the stars the way the astronauts do.
Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield is making those dreams a reality, thanks to Twitter.
Hadfield is currently beginning a stay on the International Space Station, and will be in command of the station in March. But before taking charge, Hadfield is taking to Twitter to show some amazing pictures of Earth from the ISS, as the module orbits the planet.
Click on the above video to see some of Hadfield’s photos.