A Welcoming Full Moon

This month's full moon is special for a number of reasons! It is a moon that traditionally heralded a time for grain harvest and successful fishing.  Also, tonight's full moon is technically a "blue moon": It is the third full moon in a season that will contain four.  Usually, the third full moon would be the last one of the season. 

The special nature of this full moon is fitting in terms of the colloquial sense of the phrase "once in a blue moon." This month, Earthzine is proud to add not one but two new staff members whose fine combination of qualifications and enthusiasm are as rare as a third full moon in a season of four. 

Earthzine extends its welcome to two new members on board: Osha Davidson and Amanda Lewan.  Osha Davidson, our newest Science Writer, is a an award-winning, published author and an acclaimed journalist. Amanda Lewan, our recently joined Content Manager,  is a digital storyteller with expertise in engaging online communities. We look forward to seeing each of their skills and insight bolstering this growing publication.

Fresh article offerings include:

• Contributions to science and exploration from the Italian Space Agency, a feature article from Salvatori Pignataro
• Details on the Vision 20/20 Fire Prevention Strategy, which aims to help prepare at-risk communities through education and assessment
• A book review of Brian Fagan's "The Attacking Oceans" from contributor Sarah Frazier

Our Student Essay Contest on Technologies for Observing Earth's Climate continues with $1,500 (U.S) in prizes. Students from any country are welcome to compete. Submissions are due by Sept 3, 2013.

The Call for Papers: Earth Observations on Health Prediction continues, with the theme beginning next month. Please pass on all announcements to relevant people and organizations. The more awareness and submissions, the better is the theme or contest.

New starts can also mean the close of previous events. The previous DEVELOP Virtual Poster Session (VPS) has closed to entries, and judging is under way.  Winners will be announced on the Earthzine webpage on Sept. 5 and in a special New Moon Update newsletter.

Look below and to the right for more recent content from Earthzine.

Cheers,

Elise Mulder Osenga
Science Writer

Contributions of the Italian Space Agency to Science and Exploration

Since its establishment 25 years aso, the Italian Space Agency has become a significant player in Earth Observation and Space Exploration.

Vision 20/20 Inspires Leading Organizations to Change Fire Prevention Strategies

Esri and the Institute of Fire Engineers (IFE) have partnered through Vision 20/20 to increase investments in fire preparedness and lessen the adverse effects of fire hazards. The project aims to strengthen fire mitigation efforts through public education and communal risk analyses.

Book Review: 'The Attacking Ocean' by Brian Fagan

In The Attacking Ocean, author Brian Fagan uses anthropological narrative of humanity’s struggle to outrun the ocean to convince the reader of the threat of rising sea levels.

Sonification: Data Like You've Never Heard Before

Groups at NASA and CERN are using sound to display data in fascinating new ways for analysis and outreach.