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NASA Scientist to Discuss ‘Shadow Science: Using Eclipses…’ at Library of Congress Lecture

Jim Green has been NASA Chief Scientist beginning May 1, 2018. Credits: NASA
Jim Green has been NASA Chief Scientist beginning May 1, 2018. Credits: NASA

The public is invited to a free talk called ‘Shadow Science: Using Eclipses to Shed New Light on Heavenly Bodies,’ with NASA Chief Scientist Dr. James Green. The talk will occur in the Pickford Theater, third floor, Madison Building, 101 Independence Avenue SE, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C., on Sept. 12 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. EDT.

Green will discuss how we continue to use shadow techniques to uncover new science and will provide spectacular examples from recent events. Eclipses are defined by the Oxford Dictionary as the obscuring of the light from one celestial body by the passage of another between it and the observer. It should be noted that this is nearly the same definition that describes occultations and transits. These phenomena create shadows that are regularly observed. But these shadows also allow scientists to do amazing new things, from finding new rings at Saturn to new planets orbiting other far away stars.

Green is a speaker in the 2018 NASA Goddard Lectures Series at the Library of Congress. Earlier talks in the NASA series included the topics of space weather, improved global water security and sustainability, how Mars has changed over time, NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope and the upcoming James Webb Space Telescope.

The Library of Congress maintains one of the largest and most diverse collections of scientific and technical information in the world. The Library of Congress is the nation’s oldest federal cultural institution and the largest library in the world and holds nearly 151.8 million items in various languages, disciplines and formats. The library serves Congress and the nation both on-site in its reading rooms on Capitol Hill.

For inquiries about this or upcoming talks at the Library of Congress, the public can contact the library’s Science, Technology and Business Division at 202-707-5664. ADA accommodations should be requested five business days in advance at 202-707-6382 (voice/tty) or ada@loc.gov.

The lecture will be later broadcast on the library’s webcast page and YouTube channel “Topics in Science” playlist.

composite of eleven eclipse images
This composite image of eleven pictures shows the progression of a total solar eclipse at Madras High School in Madras, Oregon on Monday, August 21, 2017. A total solar eclipse swept across a narrow portion of the contiguous United States from Lincoln Beach, Oregon to Charleston, South Carolina. A partial solar eclipse was visible across the entire North American continent along with parts of South America, Africa, and Europe. Credits: NASA/Aubrey Gemignani

For directions, visit: http://www.loc.gov/visit/maps-and-floor-plans/ or www.loc.gov

For information about Dr. Green, visit: https://www.nasa.gov/offices/ocs/about_us.html

For information about NASA research on eclipses, visit: www.nasa.gov/eclipse

Rob Gutro / Lora Bleacher
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md.
301-286-0697 / 2009
Robert.j.gutro@nasa.gov / Lora.v.bleacher@nasa.gov

Stephanie Marcus
Library of Congress, Washington
202-707-1192​
smar@loc.gov