Denise Chow

Denise Chow

Live Science Contributor

Denise Chow was the assistant managing editor at Live Science before moving to NBC News as a science reporter, where she focuses on general science and climate change. Before joining the Live Science team in 2013, she spent two years as a staff writer for Space.com, writing about rocket launches and covering NASA's final three space shuttle missions. A Canadian transplant, Denise has a bachelor's degree from the University of Toronto, and a master's degree in journalism from New York University.

Articles by: Denise Chow

A solar eclipse over the Pacific Ocean at sunset, with the "diamond ring" feature visible.

What is a solar eclipse?

By Jeanna Bryner last updated

Solar eclipses are some of nature's most dramatic celestial performances. Here's a look at the science behind the eclipse, and how to watch the next one on April 8, 2024.

Crowds of people in Times Square with the sun setting between the buildings

Manhattanhenge: What makes New York City's iconic sunset so special?

By Denise Chow last updated

Manhattanhenge, a phenomenon when the setting sun is perfectly aligned with Manhattan's grid-patterned streets, occurs twice a year with a full sunset, and twice a year with a half sunset.

Air Force Avrocar - Project 1794

Flying saucers to mind control: 24 declassified military & CIA secrets

By Denise Chow, Elizabeth Peterson published

From programs to build supersonic flying saucers to atomic bombs, here are the most fascinating declassified military and CIA secrets.

Aerial view of rainforest at the Araguaia River on the border of the states of Mato Grosso and Goiàs in Brazil

Amazon River 'Breathes' Carbon Dioxide from Rain Forest

By Denise Chow last updated

River bacteria can break down plant-based carbon, exhaling it as carbon dioxide.

Loch Ness unusual sightings

Real or not? The science behind 12 unusual sightings

By Denise Chow published

best cassini photos saturn rings moons

Cassini's Greatest Hits: Best Photos of Saturn and Its Moons

By Denise Chow published

As the world gets ready to bid farewell to Cassini, we're looking back on some of the spacecraft's most amazing photos.

hurricane harvey before and After

Hurricane Harvey Before and After: Satellite Images Show Storm's Destruction

By Denise Chow published

Here are some before-and-after satellite images of Texas that show the devastation caused by Harvey.

Irma cloud-top temps

Hurricane Irma: Everything You Need to Know About This Monster Storm

By Jeanna Bryner, Denise Chow published

To help you stay on top of the storm's development, Live Science has compiled everything you need to know about Hurricane Irma.

This composite image shows the progression of a total solar eclipse over Madras, Oregon, on Aug. 21, 2017.

Stunning Photo Shows Total Solar Eclipse's March Across Oregon Sky

By Denise Chow published

A newly released composite photo of the total solar eclipse shows the entire celestial event as it unfolded over Oregon.

People watch the solar eclipse at Saluki Stadium on the campus of Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois, on Aug. 21, 2017.

Total Solar Eclipse Leaves Southern Illinois College Town in Awe

By Denise Chow published

Pesky clouds threatened to spoil the view for tens of thousands of people who journeyed from near and far to this southern Illinois college town to witness the Great American Solar Eclipse.

The student marching band practices on the campus of Southern Illinois University before participating in solar eclipse festivities at Saluki Stadium in Carbondale.

Crossroads of the Solar Eclipse: Best Photos from Carbondale 2017

By Denise Chow published

Here are some of the coolest photos from in and around Carbondale, a city along the path of totality for the August 2017 solar eclipse.

Spectators look at the sun through a telescope on the Southern Illinois University campus on Aug. 20, 2017, one day before the total solar eclipse.

Total Solar Eclipse Transforms Illinois Town Into a Celestial Super Bowl

By Denise Chow published

When it comes to total solar eclipses, "X" marks the spot for this college town, and excitement is building as people gear up for what's being heralded as the "Great American Solar Eclipse."

Total Solar Eclipse

Total Solar Eclipse 2017: Everything You Need to Know

By Jeanna Bryner, Denise Chow published

To help you prepare for a fun and safe eclipse-viewing, Live Science has compiled everything you need to know, from where to watch, how to watch and the science behind the event.

Saluki dogs are walked past a solar eclipse exhibit on the campus of Southern Illinois University on August 19, 2017, in Carbondale, Illinois.

Spotlight on Carbondale: Illinois Town Sits at Solar Eclipse 'Crossroads'

By Denise Chow published

By pure cosmic coincidence, the town of Carbondale has found itself at the center of eclipse mania.

Elon Musk speaks in front of employees during the delivery of the first Tesla vehicle Model 3 on July 28, 2017.

Elon Musk: AI Poses Bigger Threat to Humanity Than North Korea

By Denise Chow published

Elon Musk recently tweeted that North Korea doesn't pose as much of a threat to humanity as the rise of artificial intelligence.

Hurricane Franklin is expected to make landfall on the coast of Mexico.

Franklin Becomes First Atlantic Hurricane of the Season

By Denise Chow published

Franklin, a storm that has been churning off the southwest coast of Mexico, has become the Atlantic's first hurricane of the season.

Amelia Earhart in a Department of Commerce airplane in 1936.

Photos: The Incredible Life and Times of Amelia Earhart

By Denise Chow published

Amelia Earhart remains one of the most celebrated aviators in history. Check out these photos of her incredible life and career.

The U.S. Air Force's F-35 Lightning IIs from Hill Air Force Base in Utah fly in formation during a training flight May 2, 2017.

Photos: The US Military's Next-Generation F-35 Fighter Jet

By Denise Chow published

Check out these incredible photos of F-35 fighter jets in action.

UFO Sighting

13 Famous People Who Believe in Aliens

By Denise Chow published

From pop stars to actors to politicians, here are some famous people think E.T. is out there.

A reconstruction of <em>Homo naledi</em>'s head by paleoartist John Gurche, who spent some 700 hours recreating the head from bone scans.

Homo Naledi in Photos: Images of the Small-Brained Human Relative

By Denise Chow published

See photos of the primitive-looking relative to modern humans.

World Chess champion Garry Kasparov barely acknowledges the handshake from Dr. C.J. Tan head of the IBM Deep Blue computer team which defeated Kasparov in the six-game series that ended on May 11, 1997.

Deep Blue vs. Garry Kasparov: 20th Anniversary of Epic Chess Match

By Denise Chow published

Today marks the 20th anniversary of an epic chess match between IBM's computer Deep Blue and world chess champion Garry Kasparov.

Eliud Kipchoge crosses the finish line with a time of 2:00:25 on May 6, 2017. Kipchoge was one of three athletes who attempted to run a marathon in less than 2 hours as part of Nike's Breaking2 project.

Nike's Attempt to Beat 2-Hour Marathon Falls Just Short

By Denise Chow published

Though Eliud Kipchoge was able to shave 2 minutes and 32 seconds off the current marathon world record, the elusive sub-2-hour marathon remains just beyond the grasp of humanity. At least for now.

How to Build the World's Fastest Marathoner

How to Build the World's Fastest Marathoner

By Denise Chow published

When it comes to the fastest runners in the world, there are four key things that can influence an athlete's performance: nutrition, shoe technology, course conditions and genetics.

Lelisa Desisa (left), Eliud Kipchoge (center) and Zersenay Tadese (right) are the three athletes who will try to run a marathon in less than 2 hours as part of Nike's Breaking2 project.

Nike's 'Moonshot': What Will It Take to Run a Marathon in Under 2 Hours?

By Denise Chow published

Three athletes stand poised to chase down a historic milestone as part of Nike's Breaking2 project.

The Hindenburg erupted into flames and crashed as it attempted to land at Lakehurst, New Jersey, on May 6, 1937.

In Photos: The History of the Hindenburg Disaster

By Denise Chow published