From Aardvarks to Zinc

Poem: Rhyming Poem

2010-08-23T12:05:00.000-07:00

Winter in the woods.

In the wood of snow-covered willows,
We lay in the snow like a bed full of pillows.
We wish we could stay there all day and all night,
we play in the snow with no need for fright.

Poem: Carpe Diem

2010-08-23T11:54:00.000-07:00

Chance to fill a day.

You have one chance to fill a day.
Even though move by it may,
try to fill it with work and play.
There's only one chance to fill a day.

Poem: ABC

2010-08-23T11:40:00.000-07:00

All days can be fun,
Because were alive.
Can you enjoy them?
Do you even try?

3 Poems

2010-08-09T07:40:00.000-07:00

1. The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost

TWO roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

This was my favorite poem of the three. I particularly liked how the poem managed to have a serious tone yet still rhyme. Though this was the first poem I had read with the this rhythm. The first line in each stanza rhymes with the third and fourth lines, and the second line rhymes with the fifth. I found this very interesting.

I think the poem is talking about life, and how each decision we make or life course we take is like a fork in a road. Each choice can completely change our direction in life.

2. Messy Room by Shel Silverstein

Whosever room this is should be ashamed!
His underwear is hanging on the lamp.
His raincoat is there in the overstuffed chair,
And the chair is becoming quite mucky and damp.
His workbook is wedged in the window,
His sweater's been thrown on the floor.
His scarf and one ski are beneath the TV,
And his pants have been carelessly hung on the door.
His books are all jammed in the closet,
His vest has been left in the hall.
A lizard named Ed is asleep in his bed,
And his smelly old sock has been stuck to the wall.
Whosever room this is should be ashamed!
Donald or Robert or Willie or--
Huh? You say it's mine? Oh, dear,
I knew it looked familiar!

This poem is more of a joke than something emotional. It is told by a person who walks into a room, sees what a mess it is, and starts criticizing the owner, only to find its his room.

I think this shows a human tendency to assign blame to others rather than accept ourselves as the source of the problem.

3. Brown Penny by William Butler Yeats

I WHISPERED, 'I am too young,'
And then, 'I am old enough';
Wherefore I threw a penny
To find out if I might love.
'Go and love, go and love, young man,
If the lady be young and fair.'
Ah, penny, brown penny, brown penny,
I am looped in the loops of her hair.
O love is the crooked thing,
There is nobody wise enough
To find out all that is in it,
For he would be thinking of love
Till the stars had run away
And the shadows eaten the moon.
Ah, penny, brown penny, brown penny,
One cannot begin it too soon.

This is a love poem. Not about someone but love itself. It tells of a young man who is contemplating whether to find love. It then talks about how complex and "crooked" love is. It ends by saying "One cannot begin it too soon."

I think the poem is saying love should not be planned.

Biology: Blue Desert

2010-06-08T10:32:00.001-07:00

Whitsunday Islands.

When you see the image above, "desert" is probably the last word that comes to mind. Tropical waters are warm, clear and full of life right?

Wrong. In general tropical waters, near the equator, have less marine life than the colder temperate waters to the north and south. Here is why.

Seasons create differences in temperature throughout the year. These temperature changes cause the deep and surface water to mix. The mixing brings nutrients to the surface allowing phytoplankton to grow. This phytoplankton, being at the bottom of the food chain, feeds the rest of the food chain.With out it most marine life can't survive.

The the problem with the tropics is that with out distinguished seasons the surface water and the deep water don't mix. Without any nutrients left in the surface water, all the nutrients lie bellow 492 feet (150 m) to a depth too dark for phytoplankton to grow, leaving most of the tropical waters with less life then temperate waters.

Coastal upwellings and coral reefs act as oases in the vast blue desert. Coral reefs accumulate and recycle nutrients and in coastal upwellings deep seawater moves up to the surface.

Sources: Oceans: A Visual Guide by Stephen Hutchinson and Lawrence E. Hawkins
Photo: Wikipedia

Social Studies: Camp X

2010-06-07T12:41:00.000-07:00

Monument of Camp X in Ontario, Canada.

Officially called S 25-1-1 by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Project-J by the Canadian military, and Special Training School 103 by the Special Operations Executive, a branch of the British intelligence service MI6.Camp X was a Second World War paramilitary and commando training installation near lake Ontario in Canada.

Camp X trained over five hundred Allied units of which 273 of these graduated and moved on to London for further training. They were trained in special techniques including silent killing, sabotage, partisan support and recruitment methods for resistance movements, demolition, map reading, use of various weapons, and Morse code.

Writer Roald Dahl and supposedly Ian Flemming were trained at there.

Records pertaining to Camp X were either locked away under the Official Secrets Act or destroyed after World War II.

Sources: Wikipedia

Social Studies: Canadian Pacific Railway

2010-05-17T09:41:00.000-07:00

The last spike being driven by Donald Smith, later known as Lord Strathcona.

Canadian Pacific Railway is a historic Canadian Class I railway founded in 1881 and now operated by Canadian Pacific Railway Limited which began operations as legal owner in a corporate restructuring in 2001.

The Conservative government of Prime Minister Sir John A. Macdonald. British Columbia had insisted upon a transport link to the east as a condition for joining the Confederation of Canada.

The Canadian Pacific Railway began its westward expansion from Bonfield, Ontario and on November 7, 1885, the Last Spike was driven at Craigellachie, British Columbia. It was by far the longest railway ever constructed at the time. It had taken 12,000 men, 5,000 horses, and 300 dog-sled teams to build the railway.

Sources: Wikipedia

Biology: Japanese Macaque

2010-04-27T12:01:00.001-07:00

The Japanese Macaque lives in mountainous areas of Honshū, Japan. It survives winter temperatures below -15 °C (5°F), and is perhaps most notable for the amount of time it spends in naturally heated volcanic hot springs. It has a body length ranging from 79 to 95 cm, with a tail length of approximately 10 cm.

It feeds on seeds, roots, buds, fruit, invertebrates, berries, leaves, eggs, fungi, bark, cereals and in rare cases even fish. The Japanese Macaque is a very intelligent species. It is the only animal other than humans and raccoons that is known to wash its food before eating it. The macaque has other unusual behaviors, including bathing together in hot springs and rolling snowballs for fun.

Did you know?

In recent studies it has been found that the Japanese Macaque can develop different accents, like humans.

Sources: Wikipedia

Biology: Fastest Animals

2010-04-13T12:16:00.000-07:00

Fastest running animal: Cheetah.

Latin name: Acinonyx jubatus.

Speed: Between 112 and 120 km/h (70 and 75 mph). It can go from 0 to 103 km/h (64 mph) in three seconds.

Info: Cheetahs like to live in wide open spaces like grasslands, though they can be found in a variety of locations. The cheetah is a carnivore, eating mostly mammals under 40 kg (88 lb), including the Thomson's Gazelle, the Grant's gazelle, the springbok and the impala. The cheetah hunts by vision rather than by scent.

Sources: Wikipedia

Fastest flying animal: Peregrine Falcon

Latin name: Falco peregrinus

Speed: 200 mph (320 km/h).

Info: The Peregrine falcon is a formidable predator. Worldwide it is estimated to prey on 1500 - 2000 bird species. Those that nest on Arctic tundra and winter in South America fly as many as 15,500 miles (25,000 kilometers) in a year.

Sources: Wikipedia, National Geographic

Fastest swimming animal: Sailfish

Latin name: Istiophorus Platypterus

Speed: 68 mph (110 km/h)

Info: The two main subspecies of sailfish, Atlantic and Indo-Pacific, range throughout the warm and temperate parts of the world’s oceans. They feed on schools of smaller fish like sardines and anchovies.

Sources: National Geographic

Social Studies: What kind of name is that?

2010-04-12T14:11:00.000-07:00

I've wondered why countries aren't pronounced or even named in their native language.

Here are some examples:

English: Japan
Japanese (English characters): Nihon-koku

English: Hungary
Hungarian: Magyarország

English: Egypt
Arabic: Miṣr or Egyptian: Kemet

I know from learning languages there are difficulties in pronunciation but they could make it somewhat similar.

Sources: Wikipedia (Japan, Hungary, Egypt).

Biology: True or False?

2010-03-30T12:11:00.000-07:00

What is the difference between the True Percula Clownfish (Amphiprion percula) and the False Percula Clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris)?

These two species are very similar but have subtle differences. The most reliable is that the True Percula Clownfish has ten spines on its first dorsal fin (the fin on top of its body closest to its head.) and the False Percula Clownfish has 11.

I believe this fits into the category of useless information. But, who knows, it may come in handy in a trivia game.

True

False

Sources: Wikipedia

Biology: Hippo and Tortoise

2010-03-23T12:46:00.000-07:00

This is the story of a hippopotamus named Owen and a giant tortoise named Mzee.

Just before Christmas the unseasonably heavy rains near Malindi, Kenya washed a family of hippopotamuses down the near by Sabaki River and out to sea. The residents of the town tried in vain to urge the family back up the estuary. When a Tsunami hit Malindi the hippos disappeared and were forgotten as all efforts went to rescuing the stranded fishermen.

The next day only a stranded baby hippo could be seen.With ropes, boats, nets and cars the hippo was captured and provided a home by Lafarge Eco Systems. The hippo was named 'Owen' in honor of the volunteer who tackled him to the ground. Exhausted, confused and extremely frightened, Owen immediately ran to the safety of a giant tortoise when we released him in Haller Park.

The tortoise, named Mzee, was 130 years old. Mzee quickly came to terms with his new friend and even returned signs of affection. The unusual relationship between this baby hippo and the ancient tortoise amazed people the world over and has featured in most countries on television and in news papers.

Owen will eventually be moved to a bigger pond in Haller Park were he can socialize with other hippos.

Sources: npr.org

Social Studies: Champagne

2010-03-22T11:48:00.000-07:00

Champagne aging in a cellar.

Champagne is a sparkling wine from the Champagne region of France. The primary grapes used in the production of Champagne are Chardonnay, Pinot noir and Pinot Meunier.

The Champagne region is not ideal for making red wine. Grapes would struggle to ripen fully and often would have bracing levels of acidity and low sugar levels. Furthermore, the cold winter temperatures prematurely halted fermentation in the cellars, leaving dormant yeast cells that would awaken in the warmth of spring and start fermenting again. One of the byproducts of fermentation is the release of carbon dioxide gas, which, if the wine is bottled, is trapped inside the wine, causing intense pressure. The pressure inside the weak, early French wine bottles often caused the bottles to explode, creating havoc in the cellars.

If the bottle survived, the wine was found to contain bubbles, something that the early winemakers were horrified to see, considering it a fault. As late as the 17th century, Champenois wine makers, most notably the Benedictine monk Dom Pérignon (1638–1715), were still trying to rid their wines of the bubbles.

The English were one of the first who saw the tendency of Champagne to sparkle as a desirable trait, and tried to understand why it did bubble. In 1662, the English scientist Christopher Merret presented a paper detailing how the presence of sugar in a wine led to it eventually sparkling, and that nearly any wine could be made to sparkle by adding sugar to a wine before bottling it.

Champagne continued to gain popularity until the early 20th century when riots, the phylloxera insect, hailstorms, flooding and the two World Wars affected the Champagne industry.

After World War II the popularity surged again in the 1950s. Champagne is still popular at special events and celebrations.

Did you know?

The Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry published the results of a recent joint study by the University of Reading and University of Cagliari that showed moderate consumptions of Champagne may help the brain cope with the trauma of stroke, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's disease.

Sources: Wikipedia

Picture Blog: The not so wild west.

2010-02-26T15:31:00.000-08:00

Rodeo? I don't think so. But it's still a pretty cool pic.

By the way the tortoise is a Aldabra Giant Tortoise.

Source: Wikipedia

Science: El Niño

2010-02-23T12:57:00.000-08:00

The El Niño weather disturbance happens about 30 times per century, taking place in the South Pacific. They affect weather around the globe. But to understand El Niño we must first know the normal weather patterns in the South Pacific.

Normally, a low pressure system in the southwest Pacific draws air from a high pressure system the southeast Pacific creating southeast trade winds. These pressure systems are caused by warm air rising the west, moving east and descending over South America. The low pressure systems near Australia and Oceania create rainy conditions.

The trade winds create the South Equatorial Current, which move warm surface water westward where it pools near Australia and Oceania.

As the surface water is blown away from from South America cold nutrient rich water rises from the deep to take its place. This nutrient rich water supports a food chain and a local fishing economy.

But, during an El Niño year, for reasons still unknown, the cycle slows or even reverses. (See diagram above.)

El Niño causes floods, droughts and storms around the world.

Note: El Niño is a complex but interesting subject, I do recommend doing more research.

Sources:
Book: Ocean by The American Museum of Natural History.
Book: Oceans: A Visual Guide by Stephen Hutchinson and Lawrence E. Hawkins

Diagram: Mark Dowe's Journal

Social Studies: Caribbean Colonizattion

2010-02-22T09:55:00.000-08:00

Map of Caribbean, 1843.

After Christopher Columbus' voyages most of the Caribbean was owned by Spain. The region was originally called the West Indies because when Christopher Columbus landed here in 1492 he believed that he had reached the Indies Mountains in Asia.

The Spanish found out that their was gold when they found small amounts in the personal ornaments of the native population. The Spanish, who came seeking wealth, enslaved the native population and rapidly drove them to near-extinction . They then imported African slaves.

The Portuguese and Spanish colonies were bringing in gold and other countries, like England, the Netherlands, and France, wanted to start their own profitable colonies. The many colonies in the Caribbean led to many European wars throughout the centuries.

In the 19th and 20th centuries a number of colonies gained independence from the European powers, some examples are Haiti, Saint-Domingue and Cuba.

Sources: Wikipedia

Science - Lava Flows

2010-02-19T11:57:00.000-08:00

When magma from inside the Earth is expelled from volcanoes it's a liquid, so it flows quite a distance before it cools and hardens. There are three basic types of lava.

Pahoehoe lava (above) is hotter and more fluid than the other types of lava, Aʻā and Pillow Lava. Pahoehoe lava is is typically 1100 to 1200 °C. Pahoehoe lava flows are shinny and wrinkled.

Aʻā lava (below) is liquid lava surround by a layer of hard rock chunks called clinker. Aʻā lava is cooler at 1000 to 1100 °C, and moves slower than pahoehoe lava.

The lava flows shown are in Hawaii; The volcanoes in Hawaii are called shield volcanoes because the swirling lava resemble ancient battle shields.

Pillow lava is lava that emerges underwater or under glaciers. It is named after its pillow or bubble like form. Since water covers the majority of Earth's surface and most volcanoes are situated near or under bodies of water, pillow lava is very common.

Sources: National Geographic
Wikipedia

Biology: Leafy Sea Dragon

2010-02-16T12:41:00.000-08:00

The leafy sea dragon is named for its resemblance to a floating piece of seaweed and a dragon.

The lobes of skin that grow on the leafy sea dragon give it the appearance of seaweed, allowing it to camouflage with its surroundings. Its leafy appearance also enables it to appear to move through the water like a piece of floating seaweed.The leafy sea dragon propels itself by means of a pectoral fin on the ridge of its neck and a dorsal fin on its back closer to the tail end.

It primarily eats crustaceans including plankton and mysids, but its diet also includes shrimp and small fish. Leafy sea dragons oddly enough do not have teeth, which is rare amongst animals that eat small fish and shrimp.

The leafy sea dragon is found only in the waters of Australia.

Sources: Wikipedia

Social Studies: Mykonos Windmills

2010-02-15T11:35:00.000-08:00

Mostly built by Venetians in the 16 century, the Mykonos Windmills were an innovative way to utilize the gusty wind that blows across Mykonos island in Greece.

Mykonos was a major seaport between Venice and Asia. The need to refine grain was high and the strong winds of Mykonos made it an ideal spot for windmills. All of the windmills look similar, being white and round with a pointed roof. The windmills were of great importance, but because modernization they are no longer operational. The last windmill operated until the 1960s. Today, seven of the windmills have been preserved out of ten (once there were more than twenty on the island).

Sources:
greeka.com
MykonosTour.com
Wikipedia

Photo:
Wikimedia Commons

Social Studies: SS Nornen Wreck

2010-02-12T13:06:00.000-08:00

The shipwreck in Somerset, England.

The ship ran aground (hit the shore) on March 3, 1897.

Sources: Wikipedia

Biology: Reef Types

2010-02-10T13:23:00.000-08:00

Fringing Reef off the coast of Eilat, Israel.

Fringing Reef

Fringing reefs border a landmass with little space in between.

Barrier Reef

When the landmass that the fringing reef borders begins to submerge or erode, a body of water called a lagoon forms in between the reef and the shore. The fringing reef then becomes a barrier reef. The Great Barrier Reef in Australia is an example of a barrier reef (bottom right).

Atoll

When the original landmass completely disappears only the reef remains. This is called an atoll (bottom left).

Sources: Wikipedia
Pictures: Atoll, Great Barrier Reef.

Social Studies: Mahé Island and Jellyfish Tree

2010-02-08T09:49:00.000-08:00

Beach at Mahé Island, Seychelles.

Mahé is the largest island of the Seychelles, located in the Indian Ocean of the east coast of Africa. The population of Mahé is 80,000. It contains the capital city of Victoria and accommodates 90% of the country's total population.

Mahé was first visited by the British in 1609 and not visited by Europeans again until Lazare Picault's expedition of 1742. Mahé remained a French possession until 1812 when it became a British colony. It remained a colony until 1976 when Seychelles became an independent nation.

Like the rest of Seychelles, Mahé is a popular tourist attraction with beautiful beaches, mountains and forests. The capital city Victoria has great shopping. But another thing that makes Mahé special are the native plants found only in Seychelles. One example is the Jellyfish Tree, the flowers resembling jellyfish.

The plant was thought to be extinct until a few individuals were discovered in the 1970s.

Jellyfish Tree foliage and flowers.

Sources: Wikipedia
go2africa.com

Social Studies: Skeleton Coast

2010-02-05T12:10:00.000-08:00

The name sounds ominous and for good reason.

The coast is named for the bleached whale and seal bones which covered the shore when the whaling industry was still active, as well as the skeletal shipwrecks caused by rocks offshore in the fog. . The Skeleton Coast is is the northern part of the Atlantic Ocean coast of Namibia and south of Angola. The coast is line with a sand dune desert.

Rusting ship hull.

On the coast the upwelling of the cold Benguela current gives rise to dense ocean fogs for much of the year. There is a constant, heavy surf on the beaches making it impossible to launch a human-powered boat from shore.

Many of the plant and insect species of the sand dune systems depend for their moisture on the thick sea fogs which engulf the coast and windblown detritus from the interior as food.

Sources: Wikipedia
(Book) Ocean by The American Museum of Natural History.

Social Studies: Hearst Castle

2010-02-01T10:15:00.000-08:00

Main House at Hearst Castle.

Originally a campground on a ranch started by George Hearst, Hearst Castle is located near the community of San Simeon, California approximately 250 miles (400 km) from both Los Angeles and San Francisco.

William Randolph Hearst, son of George Hearst inherited the ranch, which had grown to 250,000 acres (1,012 km²) and fourteen miles of coastline in 1919. Hearst was tired of camping in tents.

" I’m getting a little too old for that." He said.

So he approached architect Julia Morgan with the idea to build something on the ranch. Construction began in 1919 and continued through 1947 when Hearst stopped living at the estate due to ill health. Morgan persuaded Hearst to begin with the guest cottages because the smaller structures could be completed more quickly. Besides dwellings the huge estate had tennis courts swimming pools, a zoo, a cinema, and an airfield. Antique ceilings, Greek vases dating from 700 B.C., rare oriental carpets, and myriad works of art can be seen throughout William Randolph Hearst's vast home.

William Randolph Hearst (left) and Julia Morgan (Right) in 1926.

View from the air.

Sources:
Wikipedia
hearstcastle.org
http://www.cruisingwilbert.com/blog/uploaded_images/HearstCastle-712886.jpg

Biology: Did you Know? Marine Biology

2010-01-29T12:47:00.000-08:00

Mosaic Sea Star

The mosaic sea star, if touched for any length of time, will cause numbness.

The the atlantic torpedo, a type of electric ray, can generate a 220 volt shock, enough to stun a human.

The Coelacanth was thought to have gone extinct 65 million years ago until one was caught live in 1938.

The leatherback sea turtle has spines in its throat to help when swallowing jellyfish.

Saltwater crocodiles have been seen 1000 km (600 mi) from shore.

The wantdering albatross can stay air born for weeks at a time.

Sources: (Book) Ocean by The American Museum of Natural History.
Photo: http://www.scuba-equipment-usa.com/marine/MAY04/images/Plectaster_decanus.jpg

Biology: Antarctic Icefish

2010-01-26T11:18:00.000-08:00

The Antarctic Icefish are a cold colored, cold blooded group fish from the cold waters around Antarctica. Most live at seawater temperatures between of –2°C and 4°C, but some sub-polar species inhabit waters that may be as warm as 10°C around New Zealand and South America.

But at –2°C wont water freeze? Well, freshwater would freeze, but the salt in seawater gives it a lower freezing point.

The reason icefish don`t freeze is because the blood contains a natural anti-freeze. Also, icefish only have 1% hemoglobin in their blood as opposed to the 45% in most animals. Because of this their the fish appears ghostly white. These fish are able to survive without large amounts of hemoglobin in part because of the high oxygen content of the cold waters of the Southern Ocean, and in part because oxygen is absorbed and distributed directly by the plasma. It eats small fish and krill.

Sources: Wikipedia
(Book) Ocean by The American Museum of Natural History.

Social Studies: Haitian Revolution in Dates

2010-01-25T07:45:00.000-08:00

Battle between Polish troops in French service and the Haitian rebels.

1789: Saint-Domingue (former French colony, now Haiti), produces of 40 percent of the world's sugar and is the most profitable colony the French own and is in fact the wealthiest and most flourishing of the slave colonies in the Caribbean. The lowest class of society was enslaved blacks, who outnumbered whites and free people of color by eight to one.

1791: Inspired by the French Revolution and principles of the rights of men, free people of colour and slaves in Saint-Domingue and the French and West Indies pressed for freedom and more civil rights.

1792:

French government sends three commissioners with troops to try to reestablish control.
Slaves control a third of the island.

1793:

France and Great Britain go to war, and British troops invade Saint-Domingue.

1794:

Toussaint L'Ouverture fought for the Spanish crown but agrees to fight for the the French if they free all the slaves.

Under the military leadership of Toussaint, the forces made up mostly of former slaves succeed in winning concessions from the English and expelling the Spanish forces. In the end, he essentially restores control of Saint-Domingue to France.

1798:

Toussaint defeats a British expeditionary force, and leads an invasion of neighboring Santo Domingo, freeing the slaves there by 1801

1 January 1804:

Former slaves proclaim the independence of Saint-Domingue. They declare the new nation be named Haïti, to honor one of the indigenous Taíno names for the island.

July 1825:

King Charles X of France sends a fleet of fourteen vessels and thousands of troops to reconquer the island. Under pressure, President Boyer agrees to a treaty by which France formally recognizes the independence of the nation in exchange for a payment of 150 million francs (the sum was reduced in 1838 to 90 million francs).

Sources: Wikipedia

Science - Picture Blog; Desert Rose

2010-01-06T10:59:00.000-08:00

A Desert Rose is a colloquial name given to a rosette rock formation made from minerals gypsum or barite. The rosette crystal habit tends to occur when the crystals form in arid sandy conditions, such as the evaporation of a shallow salt basin. Gypsum roses usually have better defined, sharper edges than barite roses.

Sources: Wikipedia

Chemistry: Plastic From Milk?

2010-01-04T12:27:00.000-08:00

You can extract a plastic like material called casein from milk.

You will need:

Milk
Spoon
Vinegar
Pot
Jar
Strainer
Paper towel

1. Heat an 8-ounce (240 ml) cup of milk on a stove but don't let it boil.

2. Add 1 tablespoon of vinegar and stir.

3. Pour through a strainer into a jar to remove solid clumps that appear.

4. Use a spoon to squeeze out the liquid.

5. Place on and dab with paper towel to remove excess moisture.

6. Mold into wanted shape and let dry for 1 - 2 days.

Social Studies: Atacama Desert

2009-12-28T11:28:00.000-08:00

Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley) near San Pedro de Atacama.because it is

The Atacama is one of the driest places on Earth, blocked from moisture on both sides by the Anand is virtually sterile des mountains and by the Chilean Coast Range. Evidence suggests that the Atacama may not have had any significant rainfall from 1570 to 1971. Some locations in the Atacama do receive a marine fog known locally as the Camanchaca, providing sufficient moisture for hypolithic algae, lichens and even some cacti. But in the region that is in the "fog shadow" of the high coastal crest-line, which averages 3,000 metres (10,000 ft) m height for about 100 kilometres (60 mi) south of Antofagasta, the soil has been compared to that of Mars.

The Atacama is sparsely populated. In an oasis, in the middle of the desert, at about 2,000 metres (7,000 ft) elevation, lies the village of San Pedro de Atacama.

Miscanti lagoon

Biology: Marine Iguana

2009-12-22T13:38:00.000-08:00

The Marine Iguana (Amblyrhynchus cristatus) is an iguana found only on the Galápagos Islands that has the ability, unique among modern lizards, to live and forage in the sea.

Adult males are up to 1.7 m long, females 0.6 - 1 m, males weigh up to 1.5 kg.

As an cold blooded animal, the marine iguana can spend only a limited time in the cold sea, where it dives for algae. However, by swimming only in the shallow waters around the island they are able to survive single dives of up to half an hour at depths of more than 15 m. After these dives, they return to their territory to bask in the sun and warm up again. When cold, the iguana is unable to move effectively, making them vulnerable to predation, so they become highly aggressive before heating up (since they are unable to run away they try to bite attackers in this state).

Sources: Wikipedia

Biology: Wax Palm Tree

2009-12-18T10:30:00.000-08:00

Cocora valley with wax palms.

The tallest palm in the world. The palm is native to the Andean high altitude valley of Cocora in the department of Quindío, northwest Colombia. The wax palm grows up to 50 m (rarely to 60 m) tall in good growing conditions. The trunk is cylindrical, smooth, light colored and covered with wax, When the leaves die they fall and this forms a dark ring around the trunk.

The palm faced extinction due to human action. The wax of the trunk was used to make candles, until the introduction of electricity a few decades ago.

Biology: Record Breaking Trees

2009-12-15T12:14:00.000-08:00

Tallest Trees

Coast Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens): 115.56 m (379.1 ft).
Australian Mountain-ash (Eucalyptus regnans): 99.6 m (326.8 ft)
Coast Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii): 99.4 m (326.1 ft)
Sitka Spruce (Picea sitchensis): 96.7 m (317.3 ft)
Giant Sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum): 94.9 m (311.4 ft)

Largest Trees

Giant Sequoia Sequoiadendron giganteum: 1,487 m³ (52,508 cu ft) Name: General Sherman
Coast Redwood Sequoia sempervirens: 1,203 m³ (42,500 cu ft) Name: Lost Monarch
Montezuma Cypress Taxodium mucronatum: 750 m³ (25,000 cu ft) Name: Árbol del Tule
Western Redcedar Thuja plicata: 500 m³ (17,650 cu ft ) Name: Quinault Lake Redcedar
Kauri Agathis australis: circa 400 m³ (15,000 cu ft) Name: Tane Mahuta tree (total volume, including branches, 516.7 m³/18,247 cu ft)

Oldest Trees

Great Basin Bristlecone Pine (Methuselah) Pinus longaeva: 4,844 years
Alerce Fitzroya cupressoides: 3,622 years
Giant Sequoia Sequoiadendron giganteum: 3,266 years
Sugi Cryptomeria japonica: 3,000 years
Huon-pine Lagarostrobos franklinii: 2,500 years

Sources: Wikipedia

Social Studies: Zeppelin NT

2009-12-14T11:27:00.000-08:00

In the 1990s, the successor of the original Zeppelin company in Friedrichshafen, the Zeppelin Luftschifftechnik GmbH, reengaged in airship construction. The first experimental craft (later christened Friedrichshafen) of the type Zeppelin NT flew in September 1997. Though larger than common blimps, the Neue Technologie (new technology) Zeppelins are much smaller than their giant ancestors and not actually Zeppelin-types in the classical sense; they are sophisticated semi-rigids.

The Zeppelin NT airships constructed so far are 75 m long, with a volume of 8,225 m³. They are thus considerably smaller than the old Zeppelins, which reached a maximum volume of 200,000 m³. Furthermore, they are inflated exclusively with the non-flammable noble gas helium.

The design currently has a range of some 900 km (500 nautical miles) and reaches top speeds of 125 km/h (70 knots or 78 mph). The standard cruising speed of 70 km/h for tourist flights can be attained using the rear propeller only. Standard operational altitude is 300 m (1000 ft), but up to 2,600 m (8,500 ft) is possible. Their maximum permitted takeoff weight is 10,690 kg, with a payload of 1,900 kg.

The Zeppelin NT has a passenger capacity of 12, plus 2 crew, or the capability to lift 1,900 kg of payload.

Sources: Wikipedia

Biology: Red Crab Migration.

2009-12-08T14:50:00.000-08:00

On Christmas Island in the Indian Ocean a sea of red migrates from the forested plateau to the shore and back every year. This is the annual migration of the red crab.

The red crabs go to the shore to breed and to replace water and body salts lost in the trip to the shore. The total migration, to the shore and back, takes three lunar cycles or three months starting in early November. Along the way they face with dehydration, roads and railway tracks.
Though things like road closures and underpasses have been made to help the crabs along the way.

When they arrive at the shore the crabs dip into the water to rehydrate themselves, and then they mate. After that the males dip into the water a second time and either head back to the forest or stay on the beach and feed.

The females incubate their up to 100,000 eggs for 12 -13 days and then release them into the water. The young then mature in the water for 30 days and until the start there life on land.

Picture: Wikipedia
Sources: (Book) Ocean by The American Museum of Natural History.

Biology: Smallest Vertabrate

2009-12-08T13:50:00.000-08:00

The infant fish, shown above, was considered the smallest vertebrate. But it was replaced by the slightly shorter but heavier Indonesian cyprinid.

(Book) Ocean by The American Museum of Natural History.
Photo

Biology: Redwood Interactive

2009-12-07T16:02:00.000-08:00

This is a interactive feature on National Geographic. The last part "Forests in the Air" is really interesting.

http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2009/10/redwoods/redwoods-interactive

Sources:
National Geographic

Biology: Tarpon

2009-12-01T08:52:00.000-08:00

At up to 8 feet (2.5 m) long a tarpon is a pretty good catch and is a common sport fish. Some can weight up to 350 lb (160 kg). Tarpon are prized by anglers for their leaping, head-shaking fight. However, they have little to no food value and are normally released unharmed.

Tarpons are silvery fish with large scales. These scales are sometimes used for ornamental purposes. They live close inshore and often enter estuaries, lagoons and rivers. When they enter stagnant water they gulp air which enters their swim bladder which then acts as a lung.

Tarpon typically spawn in the ocean. A female tarpon will produce over 12 million eggs but there is a high mortality rate. The larvae drift into estuaries and have been found in pools and lakes that have been temporarily cut of from the sea.

Sources:
Wikipedia
(Book) Ocean by The American Museum of Natural History.

Science: Blue ice

2009-11-18T17:48:00.001-08:00

Blue ice covering Lake Fryxell, Antarctica.

Blue ice occurs when snow falls on a glacier, is compressed, and becomes part of a glacier that winds its way toward a body of water (river, lake, ocean, etc.). During its travels, air bubbles that are trapped in the ice are squeezed out, and the size of the ice crystals increases, making it clear.

Sources: Wikipedia

Science: Blue ice

2009-11-18T17:48:00.000-08:00

Biology: Capybara

2009-11-10T08:15:00.000-08:00

Capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) in grass.

Adult capybaras may grow to 130 centimetres (4.3 ft) in length, and weigh up to 65 kg (140 lb). The top recorded weight is 105.4 kg (232 lbs). They may look sort of like a hairy pig, but they are actually the largest rodent.

Capybaras have slightly webbed feet, no tail, and 20 teeth. Their back legs are slightly longer than their front legs and their muzzles are blunt with eyes, nostrils, and ears on top of their head. Females are slightly heavier than males. Capybara is an herbivore, grazing mainly on grasses and aquatic plants, as well as fruit and tree bark.

Capybaras are social animals, usually found in groups, between 10 and 30 (though larger groups of up to 100 sometimes can be formed), controlled by a dominant male (who will have a prominent scent gland on his nose used for smearing his scent on the grasses in his territory.) They communicate through a combination of scent and sound, being very vocal animals with purrs and alarm barks, whistles and clicks, squeals and grunts.

Range of the Capybara in green and the Lesser Capybara (Hydrochoerus isthmius) in red.

Sources: Wikipedia

Social Studies: Reaching the summit of Everest.

2009-11-02T13:27:00.000-08:00

Mount Everest from the south.

Named after George Everest a Surveyor-General of India, the summit of Everest is the highest point on the earths crust. There have been many attempts to reach it not all on foot. Here are some:

George Mallory discovered the northern approach in on his exploratory mission (unprepared to reach the summit.) climbed 7,007 metres (22,989 ft) in 1921.

A 1922 expedition under General Charles Granville Bruce and climbing leader Lt-Col. Edward Lisle Strutt. Climbed at 950 feet (290 m) per hour, and reached an altitude of 8,320 m (27,300 ft), the first time a human climbed higher than 8,000m.

On 8 June 1924 George Mallory and Andrew Irvine made an attempt on the summit from which they never returned.

Lady Houston, a British millionaire, funded the Houston Everest Flight of 1933, which saw a formation of airplanes led by the Marquess of Clydesdale fly over the summit in an effort to deploy the British Union Jack flag at the top.

Using conventional open-circuit oxygen, the summit was eventually reached at 11:30 a.m. local time on May 29, 1953 by the New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay from Nepal climbing the South Col Route.

On May 16, 1976, Junko Tabei of Japan became the first woman on the crest.

In 1978 Reinhold Messner (Italy) and Peter Habeler (Austria) reached the summit, the first climbers to do so without the use of supplemental oxygen.

In 1980, a team from Poland on an expedition led by Andrzej Zawada made the first winter assent.

In 1999, on the North side of the mountain, as part of the Eric Simonson and Jochen Hemmleb's search expedition, Conrad Anker discovered the body of George Mallory at 8160m on the North Face.

There were countless more expeditions before and after the succesful climb by Hillary and Norgay, these are just a few, to see more click the source.

Source: Wikipedia

Biology: Do plants need oxygen?

2009-10-20T11:35:00.000-07:00

Yes they do. Plants take in water and carbon dioxide, and with the energy from sunlight to make carbohydrates for food, and give of oxygen as by-product. This is called Photosynthesis. But Photosynthesis alone would be like preparing food and it never being eaten. Plants need to use the food they make. They do this in a process called Respiration, and like animal plants do this all day.

Respiration is like the opposite of Photosynthesis. Respiration uses oxygen to and carbohydrates to make carbon dioxide and water, releasing energy in the process. This energy powers the plant.

Sources: Yahoo Answers
Wikipedia

Image: plantcare.com

Social Studies: Toothpaste

2009-10-19T09:43:00.000-07:00

The Greeks and Romans crushed bones and oyster shells (above) and added them to toothpaste as an abrasive.

The earliest known reference to toothpaste is in a manuscript from Eygypt in the 4th century A.D., which prescribes a mixture of iris flowers. In the 9th century, the Persian musician and fashion designer Ziryab is known to have invented a type of toothpaste, which he popularized throughout Islamic Spain.[2] The exact ingredients of this toothpaste are currently unknown,[3] but it was reported to have been both "functional and pleasant to taste.

It is unknown if these toothpastes were used alone or with things like rags or Neem Tree twigs as toothbrushes. Tooth powders for use with toothbrushes came into general use in the 19th century in Britain. Most were homemade, with chalk, pulverized brick, or salt as ingredients.

By 1900, a paste made of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda was recommended for use with toothbrushes. Pre-mixed toothpastes were first marketed in the 19th century, but did not surpass the popularity of tooth-powder until World War I. Fluoride was first added to toothpastes in 1914, and was criticized by the American Dental Association (ADA) in 1937. Fluoride toothpastes developed in the 1950s received the ADA's approval.

Neat Fact:

A homemade version of toothpaste can be made by mixing 3 parts baking soda and 1 part salt with: 3 teaspoons of glycerin, 10-20 drops of flavoring and 1 drop of food coloring.

Sources: Wikipedia

Biology: Kingdome of the Blue Whale.

2009-10-16T11:50:00.000-07:00

Blue Whale skeleton.

The Blue Whale is the largest animal never known to exist. But, for me this can be hard to get my mind around. This feature at National Geographic is really cool. It not only talks about Blue Whales but it also has interactive anatomy and size compairison of the Blue Whale. Just click the LINK and go to the "In Depth" tab. Then click "Explore the Blue Whale".

If the link for some reason doesn't work here's the URL:

http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/episode/kingdom-of-the-blue-whale-3302?source=banner_nga_99#tab-Overview

Sources: National Geographic
Wikipedia

Science: Bell Rocket Belt.

2009-10-14T13:32:00.000-07:00

In the early 1960s, Bell Aerosystems built a rocket pack which it called the "Bell Rocket Belt" or "man-rocket" for the US Army, using hydrogen peroxide as fuel. This concept was revived in the 1990s and today these packs can provide powerful, manageable thrust. This rocket belt's propulsion works with superheated water vapor.

The rocket could carry a man over 9-meter-high obstacles and reached a speed of 11 to 16 km/h. However, its flying time was limited to 20 seconds. A later advancement during the years 1995-2000 could not improve the flying time to any more than 30 seconds.

The pack's pilot wears shielding overalls made of thermal resistant material, since the exhaust jet and the engine's pipes are very hot. The crash helmet (which has inside it the signal buzzer) is put on. The rocket thrust-chamber's supersonic exhaust jet makes a deafeningly loud sound (by force to 130 decibels), more like a shrill screech than the roar of an aeroplane's jet engine.

As a rule, the jet exhaust is transparent and not visible in air. But in cold weather the water vapor, which is a large part of the steam-gas mixture, condenses soon after it leaves the nozzle, and then a cloud of water fog enwraps the pilot (for this reason, the very first tethered flights of the Bell Rocket Belt were carried out in a hangar).

Sources: Wikipedia

Science - Picture Blog; Cove

2009-10-13T12:45:00.000-07:00

A cove is a circular or oval coastal inlet with a narrow entrance. Colloquially, the term can be used to describe a sheltered bay. Coves are the results of waves attacking the weakness of rocks, infiltrating them to result in inlets. These further erode to form a circular bay with a narrow entrance called a cove.

Social Studies: Research

2009-10-12T12:17:00.000-07:00

These are some geographical clarifications:

The Netherlands showing the region of Holland in yellow.

Holland is not a country.

It is the western region of The Netherlands.

Montenegro is not to be confused with Montevideo.

Montenegro is a European country and Montevideo is the capital of Uruguay.

Russia is part of Europe and Asia.

A region also known as Eurasia.

England is not the United Kingdom.

England is a country in the United Kingdom.

Australia is a country and a continent, but they are different.

The continent known as Australia includes: The Commonwealth of Australia (which is the country known as Australia), Papua New Guinea and portions of Indonesia.

Sources: Wikipedia

Math: Properties of Numbers

2009-10-08T13:19:00.000-07:00

Basically the laws of mathematics. 1-5

1. The Reflexive Property of Equality

A number is equal to itself.

Ex. 3 = 3

2. The Symmetric Property of Equality

If one value is equal to another, then the second value is the same as the first.

Ex. A = B is the same as B = A

3. The Transitive Property of Equality

If one value equals a second, and the second value equals a third, then the third is equal to the first.

Ex. If A = B and B = C then C = A

4. The Substitution Property.

If one value is equal to another, then the second can used in place of the first in any algebraic expression dealing with the first.

Ex. If: A = B and A + C = D then B + C = D too.

5. The Additive Property of Equality

We can add equal values to both sides of the equation without changing the validity of the equation.

Ex. A + 3 = B + 3 is the same as A +B.

They're quite simple. This is mainly for reference.

Sources: Youtube

Biology: Naga Jolokia

2009-10-06T12:26:00.000-07:00

The pepper whole and cut.

The Naga Jolokia pepper is the hottest chili in the world. The pepper is used as a spice in food or eaten alone. One seed from a naga jolokia can produce sustained intense pain sensations in the mouth for up to 30 minutes before subsiding.

Extreme care should be taken when ingesting the pepper and its seeds, so as to not get it in the eyes. It is used as a cure for stomach ailments. It is also used as a remedy to summer heat, presumably by inducing perspiration.

Social Studies - My Favoite Wonder: Medieval World

2009-10-05T10:56:00.000-07:00

Colosseum

The Colosseum is elliptical in plan and is 189 meters (615 ft) long, and 156 meters (510 ft) wide, with a base area of 6 acres (24,000 m²). The height of the outer wall is 48 meters (157 ft ). The perimeter originally measured 545 meters (1,788 ft ). The central arena is an oval (287 ft) long and (180 ft) wide, surrounded by a wall (15 ft) high, above which rose tiers of seating.

Construction of the Colosseum began under the rule of the Emperor Vespasian in around 70–72AD. The site chosen was a flat area on the floor of a low valley between the Caelian, Esquiline and Palatine Hills, through which a canalised stream ran. The Colosseum had been completed up to the third story by the time of Vespasian's death in 79. The top level was finished and the building inaugurated by his son, Titus, in 80.

In 217, the Colosseum was badly damaged by a major fire (caused by lightning, according to Dio Cassius) which destroyed the wooden upper levels of the amphitheatre's interior. It was not fully repaired until about 240 and underwent further repairs in 250 or 252 and again in 320.

The Colosseum underwent several radical changes of use during the medieval period. By the late 6th century a small church had been built into the structure of the amphitheatre, though this apparently did not confer any particular religious significance on the building as a whole. The arena was converted into a cemetery. The numerous vaulted spaces in the arcades under the seating were converted into housing and workshops, and are recorded as still being rented out as late as the 12th century.

Around 1200 the Frangipani family took over the Colosseum and fortified it, apparently using it as a castle.

Severe damage was inflicted on the Colosseum by the great earthquake in 1349, causing the outer south side, lying on a less stable alluvional terrain, to collapse. Much of the tumbled stone was reused to build palaces, churches, hospitals and other buildings elsewhere in Rome.

Sources: Wikipedia

Social Studies Picture Blog: Kazimierez Nowak

2009-10-02T13:25:00.000-07:00

A a stereotypical explorer, Kazimierez Nowak was a Polish traveller, correspondent and photographer, born in Stryi. From 1931 to 1936, he travelled alone, on foot and by bicycle across Africa, covering a distance of 40,000 km. He was probably the first man in the world to do this.

Biology Picture Blog: Land Crabs

2009-09-29T15:28:00.000-07:00

Crabs walking through the grass. I knew crabs could come on land but I never thought they could live on it. These are Cardisoma guanhumi a type of land crab. It lives along the Atlantic coast of the Americas, from Brazil and Colombia, through the Caribbean, to Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, and as far north as Vero Beach, Florida. The species varies in colour from dark blue to brown or pale grey, and may grow to 11 cm in width and weigh over 500 g.

Sources: Wikipedia

Science: How a Toilet works.

2009-09-28T10:27:00.000-07:00

Pushing on the handle pulls the chain, which releases the flush valve.
About 2 gallons (7.6 L) of water rush from the tank into the bowl in about three seconds. The flush valve then reseats.
This rush of water activates the siphon in the bowl. The siphon sucks everything in the bowl down the drain.
Meanwhile, when the level of the water in the tank falls, so does the float. The falling float turns on the refill valve.
Water flowing through the refill valve refills the tank as well as the bowl. As the tank refills, the float rises, and when it reaches a certain level the refill valve shuts off.
Should something go wrong and cause the refill valve to keep running, the overflow tube prevents a flood.

Hear Is a simple animation that sums it up well.

Sources: How Stuff Works
Image: Wikipedia

Biology: Red River Gum

2009-09-25T12:10:00.001-07:00

A 700 Year old tree.

The River Red Gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) is a tree of the genus Eucalyptus. It is a plantation species in many parts of the world but is native to Australia where it is widespread especially beside inland water courses.

The tree can grow to 45 metres tall; it has smooth bark, ranging in colour from white and grey to red-brown which is shed in long ribbons. The tree grows straight under favourable conditions, but can develop twisted branches in drier conditions. The species can be found along the banks of watercourses, as well as the floodplains of those watercourses.

Red gum is so named for its brilliant red wood, which can range from a light pink through to almost black, depending on the age and weathering. It is somewhat brittle and is often cross-grained, making hand working difficult. Traditionly used in rot resistant applications like stumps, fence posts and sleepers, more recently it has been recognised in craft furniture for its spectacular deep red colour and typical fiddleback figure.

Sources: Wikipedia

Chemestry: Color of Water

2009-09-23T13:30:00.000-07:00

A glass of water seems clear. a ocean seems blue and some ponds look green. What is the color of water? It can be all three, it all depends on the color how much water there is and whats in it.

Because the absorption that gives water its color is in the red end of the visible spectrum, one sees blue, the complementary color of orange, when observing light that has passed through several meters of water. Even a glass of water is a very faint blue.

So pure water is blue, but what about the turquoise color in the photo above or the green pond. those owe there color to impurities in the water. Havasu Falls (shown above) contains high concentrations of lime which give it a turquoise color. An algae in a pond (or other body of water) give a green color.Red algae in water will make water appear red, causing what is called red tide.

Sources: www.webexhibits.org
Wikipedia

Social Studies: Henry Morton Stanley Part 1

2009-09-21T09:21:00.000-07:00

Henry Morton Stanley (on right) in 1872

Stanley was born in Denbigh, Wales on January 28, 1841.

Following the Civil War, Stanley began a career as a journalist. As part of this new career, Stanley organised an expedition to the Ottoman Empire that ended catastrophically when Stanley was imprisoned. He eventually talked his way out of jail and even received restitution for damaged expedition equipment. This early expedition may have formed the foundation for his eventual exploration of the Congo region of Africa.

In 1867, Stanley was recruited by Colonel Samuel Forster Tappan (a one-time journalist) of the Indian Peace Commission, to serve as a correspondent to cover the work of the Commission for several newspapers. Stanley was soon retained exclusively by James Gordon Bennett (1795-1872), founder of the New York Herald, who was impressed by Stanley's exploits and by his direct style of writing.

He became one of the Herald's overseas correspondents and, in 1869, was instructed by Bennett's son to find the Scottish missionary and explorer David Livingstone, who was known to be in Africa but had not been heard from for some time.

This 700-mile expedition through the tropical forest became a nightmare. His thoroughbred stallion died within a few days after a bite from a Tsetse fly, many of his carriers deserted and the rest were decimated by tropical diseases.

Stanley found Livingstone on 10 November 1871, in Ujiji near Lake Tanganyika in present-day Tanzania, and may have greeted him with the now famous, "Dr. Livingstone, I presume?" This famous phrase may be a fabrication, as Stanley tore out of his diary the pages relating to the encounter.

Sources:Wikipedia

Chemestry: Biota Sping Water

2009-09-07T08:32:00.000-07:00

This mat seem to be like any other bottle of water. But, the amazing thing about it is... it's made from corn. Given the right composting conditions including high heat, humidity and micro-organisms, a BIOTA bottle will disappear in 75 to 80 days...basically 12 weeks.

Here is the website: http://www.biotaspringwater.com/

Chemestry: Temperatures

2009-09-02T08:19:00.000-07:00

Candle flame: 1000 °C (1832 °F)

−273.15° C (−459.67° F) Absolute zero the coldest temperature theoretically possible.

> −210 °C ( −346 °F) Freezing point of liquid nitrogen.

> −196 °C (−321 °F ) Boiling point of liquid nitrogen.

> −140 °C (−220 °F) Polar winter on mars. > −89.2°C (−128.6°F) Coldest recorded temperature on earth. Antartica

> −78.5 °C (−109.3 °F) Sublimation point of dry ice.* -38.83 °C, (-37.89 °F) Melting point of mercury.

> 0° C (32°F) Freezing point of water. 36.8° C (98.2 °F) Average human body temperature

> 58° C (136° F ) Hottest recorded temperature on earth. Lybia

> 99.9839° C (211.97102° F) Water boils at standard pressure.

> 327.46 °C (621.43 °F) Melting point of lead.

> 660.32 °C, (1220.58 °F) Melting point of aluminum

> 1000 °C (1832 °F) Candle flame

> 1300 °C (2372 °F) Blowtorch flame

>3642 °C (6588 °F) Sublimation point of carbon.

> 5526°C 9980°F Surface of the Sun.

* Sublimation in when a solid turns into a gas without turning into a liquid.

Sources: Wikipedia

Biology: Hyperthermophile

2009-09-01T09:01:00.001-07:00

A hyperthermophile is an organism that thrives in extremely hot environments— from 60 degrees C (140 degrees F) upwards. An optimal temperature for the existence of Hyperthermophiles is above 80°C (176°F)

Hyperthermophiles were first discovered by Thomas D. Brock in 1969, in hot springs in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming.[1] Since then, more than fifty species have been discovered. The most hardy hyperthermophiles yet discovered live on the superheated walls of deep-sea hydrothermal vents, requiring temperatures of at least 90°C for survival.

Sources: Wikipedia

Biology: How to prevent a bear attack.

2009-08-05T11:25:00.000-07:00

If your in an area known for bears you should...

A. Make lots of noise.
B. Walk quietly.
C. Wait until you see a bear and then make noise.

The answer is A. This allows the bear to know of your presence ahead of time and move away before your to close for comfort. The last thing you want is a surprised bear those are the kind that attack. In B the bear may not hear you until your to close and C would surprise the bear.

This is a VIDEO on how to survive and bear attack and those of some other animals.

Sources: National Geographic

Biology: Arapaima

2009-08-04T09:55:00.000-07:00

One of the world's largest freshwater fish, these giants can reach 9 feet (2.75 meters) long and weigh up to 440 pounds (200 kilograms). They have a wide, scaly, gray body and a tapered head.

It seems normal but the arapaima can only stay under water for about 10 - 20 minute before it has to come up for air. Arapaimas are air-breathing, so they stay close to the surface which makes them vulnerable to human predators, who can easily target them with harpoons.

While this giant fish's habitat is relatively unmolested, overfishing has become a serious problem, and some South American authorities have attempted to enact protections.

Sources:
National Geographic
Image: petfishtalk.com

Social Studies: Holbein's The Ambassadors

2009-08-03T08:47:00.000-07:00

Image source: http://www.idehist.uu.se/distans/ilmh/Ren/holbein-ambassadors.jpg

Larger interactive image Here

Some things to notice about the painting:

The two shelves of the table which form the dominant horizontals in the painting serve to contrast the terrestrial realm with the objects on the lower shelf including a terrestrial globe to the celestial realm with the astronomical instruments on the upper shelf including a celestial globe.

The understanding of the essential limitation of human thought helps to explain several details in the painting:

The different faces of the polyhedral sundial on the upper shelf are not consistent.

The lute on the lower shelf has a broken string.

Dinteville's (on the left) dagger has his age inscribed (29 I believe).

De Selve who rests his arm on a book on which is inscribed his age (25 I believe).

Sources: http://employees.oneonta.edu/farberas/arth/ARTH214/Ambassadors_Home.html

Biology: Blue crab

2009-07-31T12:42:00.000-07:00

The blue crab is so named because of its sapphire-tinted claws. Its shell, or carapace, is actually a mottled brownish color, and mature females have red highlights on the tips of their pincers.

Prized by humans for their sweet, tender meat, these wide-ranging, ten-legged crustaceans are among the most heavily harvested creatures on the planet. Their scientific name, Callinectes sapidus, even means "savory beautiful swimmer."

They feed on almost anything they can get hold of, including mussels, snails, fish, plants, and even carrion and smaller blue crabs. They are also excellent swimmers, with specially adapted hind appendages shaped like paddles.

Sources: National Geographic

Image Wikipedia

Science: Oort cloud

2009-07-29T13:39:00.000-07:00

3d diagram

The Oort cloud is a spherical cloud of comets which may lie nearly a light-year, from the Sun. This places the cloud at nearly a quarter of the distance to Proxima Centauri, the nearest star to the Sun. Objects in the Oort cloud are largely composed of ices, such as water, ammonia, and methane.

The outer Oort cloud is only loosely bound to the Solar System, and thus is easily affected by the gravitational pull both of passing stars and of the Milky Way galaxy itself. These forces occasionally dislodge comets from their orbits within the cloud and send them towards the inner Solar System. No confirmed direct observations of the Oort cloud have been made, but it is believed to be the source of some comets.

Sources: Wikipedia

Social Studies: Salem witch trials

2009-07-28T12:02:00.000-07:00

The Salem witch trials were a series of hearings before local magistrates followed by county court trials to prosecute people accused of witchcraft in Essex, Suffolk and Middlesex counties of colonial Massachusetts, between February 1692 and May 1693. Over 150 people were arrested and imprisoned, with even more accused but not formally pursued by the authorities. The two courts convicted twenty-nine people of the capital felony of witchcraft. Nineteen of the accused, fourteen women and five men, were hanged. One man (Giles Corey) who refused to enter a plea was crushed to death under heavy stones in an attempt to force him to do so. At least five more of the accused died in prison.

Biology: American lobster

2009-07-27T10:59:00.000-07:00

It is a species of lobster found on the Atlantic coast of North America. Within North America, it is also known as the northern lobster, Atlantic lobster or Maine lobster. It thrives in cold, shallow waters where there are many rocks and other places to hide from predators and is both solitary and nocturnal. It feeds on fish, small crustaceans, and mollusks.

Did you know?

At first the claws of a lobster are identical, but with use the lobster will start to favor one over the other. The favored claw will get bigger and be filled with primarily slow-acting muscle tissue which cannot react quickly, but does not tire quickly. This is the crusher claw. The other claw, the pincher, will develop fast-acting muscle tissue useful for grabbing prey quickly.

Sources: Wikipedia

Simple Haiku: Blue frog

2009-07-23T10:20:00.000-07:00

When the blue frog jumps
and the others see it go
they all hop to it

Image: Wikipedia

Biology: Sand Tiger Shark

2009-06-12T10:58:00.000-07:00

Sand tiger shark: upper body.

The Sand Tiger Shark is a grayish-brown colored shark with a white underside. They are called Sand Tiger Sharks because or their coastal habitat near the shore. Despite their mean look the only attack humans if provoked.

They grow to 2 - 3.2 (6.5 - 10.5) and live 15 years or more. Sand Tiger Sharks are known to gulp air from the surface. They store the air in their stomachs, which allows them to float motionless in the water, seeking prey. They are voracious predators, feeding at night and generally staying close to the bottom. Their staple is small fish, but they will eat crustaceans and squid as well. They occasionally hunt in groups, and have even been known to attack full fishing nets.

Although this species is widespread and is not widely fished for food, it has one of the lowest reproduction rates of all sharks and is susceptible to even minimal population pressure. For this reason, it is listed as vulnerable and is protected in much of its range.

Sources: National Geographic Image: Wikipedia

Social Studies: English idioms

2009-06-11T14:15:00.000-07:00

Wiktionary has an A -Z list of idioms. Its good if your trying to learn English or if your just curious. I know a lot of them I've never heard of.

Link: Wiktionary

Biology: Neat Facts

2009-06-09T14:37:00.000-07:00

Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria is found in the lower intestine. In fact most strains of E. coli are harmless bur some strains are harmful. - Wikipedia

Bacterial infection causes stomach ulcers 80% of the time. (1) One of these is the Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). Over 50% of the worlds population is infected with this bacteria. But strangely over 80% of these are asymtomatic (2) (show no syptoms). - Wikipedia 1 and 2

Science: Needle ice

2009-06-05T17:22:00.000-07:00

Needle ice is a phenomenon that occurs when the temperature of the soil is above 0°C and the surface temperature of the soil is below 0°C. The subterranean moisture is brought to the surface via capillary action.

The ice needles are typically a few centimetres long. While growing, they may lift or push away small soil particles. On sloped surfaces, needle ice may be a factor contributing to soil creep.

Sources: Wkipedia

Biology: Dog communication

2009-06-03T12:48:00.000-07:00

The dog is showing signs of heavy aggression.

Here are some things dogs try to express and how they express them. These are often used in dog to dog communication but you too can use these and the others found at the source to understand a dog. (See the bottom of the post under "Sources".)

Happiness/excitement

Large fast wags of the tail.
Panting with lips relaxed covering the teeth (not to be confused with a snarl where the lips are retracted showing the teeth).
Stamping its feet, alternating from left to right.
Short sharp barks.

Playfulness

Panting with lips relaxed covering the teeth.
Large fast wags of the tail.
Intense growl, without showing any teeth.

Anger/Aggression

Lowered head.
Lowered body.
Raised back hair.
Ready to pounce.
Foot pointing.
Focused attention.

Just remember LLRRFF. See photo at top of blog post.

Other signs are:

Soft, low-pitched growl.
Showing teeth.

Fear/Timidness

Tail down or between legs.
Ears down.

You probably noticed that some signs are mentioned more than once, that's because, like human expressions, these body movements and vocalizations can have more than one meaning, it all depends on the context.

Sources: Wikipedia

Social Studies: Ham

2009-06-02T11:03:00.000-07:00

Greeting Ham after his landing in the Atlantic, January 31, 1961.

Ham is a lunch meat. Ham is also the name of the first chimpanzee in space.

Ham was born July 1956 in Cameroon, captured by animal trappers and sent to Rare Bird Farm in Miami, Florida.He was purchased by the United States Air Force and brought to Holloman Air Force Base in 1959. Officially, Ham was known as #65 before his flight, and only renamed "Ham" upon his successful return to earth.

H.A.M. stands for Holloman Aerospace Medical Center the lab where he was trained.

Beginning in July 1959, the two-year-old chimpanzee was trained at the Holloman Air Force Base Aero Medical Field Laboratory to do simple, timed tasks in response to electric lights and sounds.

On January 31, 1961, Ham was secured in a Project Mercury capsule labeled MR-2 and launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida, into outer space. Ham had his vital signs and tasks monitored using computers back on Earth. The capsule suffered a partial loss of pressure during the flight, but Ham's space suit prevented him from suffering any harm. Ham's lever-pushing performance in space was only a fraction of a second slower than on Earth, demonstrating that tasks could be performed in space. Ham's capsule splashed down in the Atlantic Ocean and was recovered by a rescue ship later that day. He only suffered a bruised nose. His flight was 16 minutes and 39 seconds long.

After the flight, Ham lived for 17 years in the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., then at the North Carolina Zoo before his death at the age of 26 on January 19, 1983.

Sources: Wikipedia

Chemestry: Electroplating

2009-05-27T12:03:00.000-07:00

Electroplating is using electrical current to coat a metal with a thin layer of another metal.

The anode and cathode in the electroplating cell are both connected to an external supply of direct current - a battery or, more commonly, a rectifier. The anode is connected to the positive terminal of the supply, and the cathode (article to be plated) is connected to the negative terminal. When the external power supply is switched on, the metal at the anode is oxidized from the zero valence state to form cations with a positive charge.

These cations associate with the anions (with a negative charge) in the solution. The cations are reduced at the cathode to deposit in the metallic, zero valence state. The build up of these atoms create a thin layer.

Sources: Wikipedia

Science: Five Lake types

2009-05-26T12:20:00.000-07:00

Lac Pavin in France is a meromictic crater lake.

1. Meromictic lake

A meromictic lake has layers of water that do not intermix. In normal lakes wind will make turbulence on the waters surface and cause the water near the surface and the water near the bottom to mix it may happen multiple times per year. But, wind is only effective at times of the year when the lake's deep waters are not much colder than its surface waters.

In meromictic lakes, the layers of the lake water remain unmixed for years, decades, or centuries. Among the consequences of this stable layering (or stratification) of lake waters is that the deeper layer (the "monimolimnion") receives little oxygen from the atmosphere. The layers of sediment at the bottom of a meromictic lake remain relatively undisturbed because there is very little physical mixing and few living organisms to stir them up, and very little oxygen or chemical decomposition. For this reason corings of the sediment at the bottom of meromictic lakes are important research tools in tracing climate history at the lake.

Sources: Wkipedia

Biology: Venomous Dragons

2009-05-25T13:53:00.000-07:00

Komodo Dragon Sleeping.

Komodo dragons kill using a one-two punch of sharp teeth and a venomous bite, scientists have confirmed for the first time. The find dispels the common belief that toxic bacteria in the Komodos' mouths are responsible for ultimately killing the dragons' prey.

Researchers have long thought that the Komodo dragon, native to Indonesia, kills via blood poisoning caused by the multiple strains of bacteria in the dragon's saliva.

But "that whole bacteria stuff has been a scientific fairy tale," said Bryan Fry, a venom researcher at the University of Melbourne in Australia.

Fry and colleagues studied the biochemistry of Komodo venom after they had the rare opportunity to examine two dragons from zoos that both had to be put down due to terminal illnesses.

The team found that the dragon's venom rapidly decreases blood pressure, expedites blood loss, and sends a victim into shock, rendering it too weak to fight.

While his colleagues expressed surprise at the findings, Fry said he wasn't so shocked.

His earlier research had shown that other lizard species—such as iguanas, legless lizards, and monitor lizards—are also venomous.

In fact, Fry estimates that close to a hundred of the more than 5,000 known lizard species use venom.

Full article at the Naional Geographic website.

Image: Wikipedia

Biology: Madagascar Hissing Cockroach

2009-05-19T12:02:00.001-07:00

The Madagacar Hissing Cockroach lives on the forest floor in Madagascar.

These cockroaches are shiny brown and oval-shaped, with no wings and a single pair of antennae. Males sport large horns, which give them an unusual and impressive appearance.

Males use their horns in aggressive encounters reminiscent of battles between horned or antlered mammals. Rivals ram one another with their horns (or abdomens) and during the fight often unleash the amazing hisses that give the animal its name. Winning roaches hiss more than losers, so the sounds may be used to help determine a roach hierarchy.

Hissing is also part of the cockroach's mating ritual, and can be used as an effective alarm cry. Most insects that make noise do so by rubbing their body parts together or by employing vibrating membranes. Madagascar hissing cockroaches, however, exhale air through their breathing holes. This audible use of the respiratory system is far more common in vertebrates.

Sources: National Geographic

Math: How to bisect an angle.

2009-05-14T13:25:00.000-07:00

Here is a you tube video on how to bisect a triangle. Youtube

Biology: Pygmy Date Palm Care

2009-05-12T15:14:00.000-07:00

This is the one in our garden.

Smallest of the date palms that are commonly grown, and able to stay indefinitely in a container. The solitary trunk is about four to six inches (10-15cm) in diameter, decorated with diamond-shaped remains of old leaves. The crown of feather leaves is spiny at the base, and up to about four feet (120cm) across in a plant that is starting to develop a trunk.

Keep the soil evenly moist and if you use rainwater, be careful as it could be acidic. Use warm water. A good remover of formaldehyde and xylene from the surrounding atmosphere.

Close up of new growth.

Sources: plantcare.com

Social Studies: Model Trains

2009-05-11T13:54:00.000-07:00

Flower pots with battery powered lights, Joshua L. Cowen thought they were a good idea. But other people who had already thought of the idea of battery powered lights were hiring lawyers and threatening to sue.

So Cowen gave up on the idea. Conrad Hubert took the idea and invented the flashlight, he raked in millions.

Cowen after making a electric motor for an miniature fan found they fit well in small trains. So Joshua Lionel Cowen made model trains.

Sources: Greatest Stories Never Told by Rick Beyer

How to protect yourself from the swine flu...or any flu

2009-05-11T10:55:00.000-07:00

Fact 1.

The 1918 flu pandemic (commonly referred to as the Spanish flu) was caused by an unusually virulent and deadly Influenza A virus strain of subtype H1N1.

Fact 2.

The 2009 Swine Flu is also caused by the dangerous H1N1 virus...

Fact 3.

Most of its victims in both flu outbreaks were healthy young adults (ages 20-40), in contrast to most influenza outbreaks which predominantly affect juvenile, elderly, or otherwise weakened patients.

Why does the virus affect the young and healthy? Among the conclusions of this research is that the virus kills via a cytokine storm (overreaction of the body's immune system). The strong immune systems of young adults ravaged the body, whereas the weaker immune systems of children and middle-aged adults caused fewer deaths.

When the immune system is fighting pathogens, cytokines signal immune cells such as T-cells and macrophages to travel to the site of infection. In addition, cytokines activate those cells, stimulating them to produce more cytokines. Normally, this feedback loop is kept in check by the body. However, in some instances, the reaction becomes uncontrolled, and too many immune cells are activated in a single place.

If a cytokine storm occurs in the lungs, for example, fluids and immune cells such as macrophages may accumulate and eventually block off the airways, potentially resulting in death.

Cytokine storms can occur in a number of infectious and non-infectious diseases including graft versus host disease (GVHD), adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), sepsis, avian influenza, smallpox, and systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS).

What can stem the tide of the Cytokine Storm naturally?

Free Radical Scavengers (antioxidants)

In what foods can we find these antioxidents?

Researchers have discovered that certain antioxidants and a blend of antioxidants significantly reduces the duplication of both the H1N1 Swine Flu and the H5N1 Avian Bird Flu. Scientists infected mice with the H5N1 bird flu and then administered high doses of resveratrol to them all. They administered doses just as they were getting infected, 3 hours, 6 hours and 9 hours after. 90% of the mice that were administered resveratrol even 3 hours after getting infected suffered little to no sickness.

The key to remember here is that resveratrol is produced by plants to fight infection and disease. That's the whole purpose of it. Sure it's been getting a lot of media attention for its life-extending properties, but the truth is - it's an antibiotic.

Resveratrol is found naturally in red wine, red wine vinegar, grape juice, grapes (not raisins), peanuts, Japanese knotweed, and dark chocolate. Start stocking up on resveratrol this H1N1 Swine Flu Season. Drink grape juice for breakfast, add peanuts to your salad, drink some red wine before you go to bed. And don't forget to put a piece of dark chocolate on your wife's pillow.

Sources: 1)http://ezinearticles.com/?Is-There-an-H1N1-Swine-Flu-Cure?&id=2284200

2) Wikipedia

Chemistry: Branched Molecules

2009-05-06T09:28:00.001-07:00

2-methyl-4-ethylhexane? What is this? It is a molecules with two branches. It looks like this:
To figure out why it is named this, we must (as in the Alkane Names blog) find, the longest continuous chain of carbon atoms, which is 6 thats hex. That explains the hexane at the end.

But what about the methyl and the ethyl. Those have to do with the branches (the carbon chains connected to the hexane). Lets start with the branch with one carbon atom 1 = meth and all 'branches end in yl. So that,s methyl.

The same applies to the branch with to atoms, 2 = eth, ethyl.

How do you explain the numbers? That is it what atom the branch is conected two in relation to the edge. But, you would get to two numbers, methyl could be connected two 5 or 2.

You always chose the end closest to the branch. In this case the right end: 2. That gives you 2-*methyl. Use the same edge with ethyl: 4. That's 4-ehtyl.

All together: 2-methyl-4-ethylhexane.

*Separate letters and numbers with hyphens -.

Sources: Yotube (these are cool videos)

Biology: Mountain Bluebird

2009-05-05T13:32:00.000-07:00

Male Mountain Bluebird perched.

The Mountain Bluebird is a migratory bird. Males have a blue back, wings and chest with a light underbelly. Females have dull blue wings with a grey chest, crown, throat and back. It is 15-20 cm (6-8 in) in length and weighs about an ounce.

They migrate south to Mexico in the winter and as far north a Alaska in the summer.

(Picture of female bird here.)

Left: Range

These birds hover over the ground and fly down to catch insects, also flying from a perch to catch them. They mainly eat insects and berries. They may forage in flocks in winter, when they mainly eat grasshoppers.

Sources: Wikipedia
Picture of female bird: sdakotabirds.com
URL: http://www.sdakotabirds.com/species/mountain_bluebird_info.htm

Sprouts: BLOG 1

2009-05-01T10:27:00.000-07:00

Date: April 1 2009

Pot 1

Name: Salvia hispanica
Common name: Chia
Max. height: 1 m
Height (tallest plant) : 4 cm
Neat facts:

The name comes from the Aztec word chian meaning oily.
The Mexican state of Chiapas is named after it.

Pot 2
Name: unknown
Max Height: Unknown
Height: 7.5 cm

Sources: Wikipedia

Biology: Ocelot

2009-04-28T13:05:00.000-07:00

Ocelot

The fur of the Ocelot, with its dark brown irregular shaped spots and stripes, edged with black on a yellow/tawny background give this lithe, medium size cat a most distinctive appearance. Twice the size of the average housecat, the ocelot is a sleek animal.

The ocelots hunting technique is varied and is carried out mostly by night - its prey includes small deer, rabbits, rodents, reptiles and when available, fish. Unlike many cats, they do not avoid water and can swim well.

Many ocelots live under the leafy canopies of South American rain forests, but they also inhabit brushlands and can be found as far north as Texas. These cats can adapt to human habitats and are sometimes found in the vicinity of villages or other settlements.

As far back as the ancient Aztec civilisation, the ocelot has been hunted and prized for its fur and today, along with deforestation in much of its habitat, has led to the cats virtual extinction in some of its range. Once found in many areas of southern North America, Central America and much of South America, today the animal has almost disappeared form its range in the southern states of North America.

Sources: dialspace.dial.pipex.com
National Geographic

Pic: Wikipedia

Social Studies: Neat facts

2009-04-27T10:57:00.000-07:00

Robert Baden Powell

The man who launched the boy scout movement, Robert Baden Powell, was a spy for the British Military. - Sources: Greatest Stories Never Told by Rick Beyer Pic: Wikipedia

James Bond, the character, was created by Commander Ian Flemming aka. agent 17-f and was named after an ornithologist. Greatest Stories Never Told by Rick Beyer

Biology: Carissa M.

2009-04-24T11:54:00.000-07:00

Leaves and fruit (Red = almost ripe).

The Carissa macrocarpa is a fast-growing, ornamental shrub that is wind resistant and can grow in coastal areas. It usually forms a dense thorny shrub but it can grow into a small tree up to 4 m high.

This species has Y- shaped thorns; the young branches are green and all parts of the plant exude a white, milky, non-toxic latex. Leaves are leathery, a shiny dark green above and paler below, 20-60 x 15-35 mm, egg-shaped, oval or almost round.

It grows in coastal bush, coastal forests and on sand dunes, from Humansdorp northwards through Kwazulu-Natal to Mozambique.

The shrub makes a good garden hedge and the fruits can be eaten raw or made into delicious jams or jellies. This ornamental shrub attracts birds and butterflies to the garden.

Sources: plantzafrica.com

Chemistry: Alkane names

2009-04-22T11:42:00.000-07:00

???

What is this mystery molecule. How do we figure out the names of alkanes like the one above?

Simply count the number of carbon atoms in a row.

Here are the names from 1 - 10

Meth - 1
Eth -2
Prop - 3 (as in propane)
But - 4 (as in butane)
Pent -5
Hex - 6
Hept - 7
Oct - 8
Non - 9
Dec -10

It has 8 carbon atoms so go to 8 that's "oct". All alkanes end in "ane" so the molecule is octane.

Or think of it this way: just take the "alk" out of alkane and replace it with "oct" to get octane.

Sources: Wkipedia
Youtube

Artistic Statistics

2009-04-21T14:19:00.000-07:00

This may look like a bad quality photo of some Chinese painting, but, it is actually shark teeth. The approx amount of shark teeth that belong to the amount of sharks fished out of the ocean daily.

The artist is named Chris Jordan .

This is 270,000 teeth.

The full gallery is at National Geographic.

URL: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/04/photogalleries/chris-jordan-massive-photomosaics/index.html

Close-up

Sources: National Geographic

Social Studies: Planet X

2009-04-20T09:11:00.000-07:00

In 1894, with the help of William Pickering, Percival Lowell, a wealthy Bostonian aristocrat, founded the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona. In 1906, convinced he could resolve the conundrum of Uranus's orbit, he began an extensive project to search for a trans-Neptunian planet, which he named Planet X. The X in the name represents an unknown and is pronounced as the letter.

Lowell's sudden death in 1916 temporarily halted the search for Planet X. Failing to find the planet, according to one friend, "virtually killed him". In 1929 the observatory's director, Vesto Melvin Slipher, summarily handed the job of locating the planet to Clyde Tombaugh, a 22-year-old Kansas farm boy who had only just arrived at the Lowell Observatory after Slipher had been impressed by a sample of his astronomical drawings.

By the beginning of 1930, Tombaugh's search had reached the constellation of Gemini. On 18 February 1930, after searching for nearly a year and examining nearly 2 million stars, Tombaugh discovered a moving object on photographic plates taken on 23 January and 29 January of that year. A lesser-quality photograph taken on January 21 confirmed the movement.

The decision to name the object Pluto was intended in part to honour Percival Lowell, as his initials made up the word's first two letters.

Sources: Wikipedia
Greatest Stories Never Told by Rick Beyer

Physics: Cavitation

2009-04-17T13:46:00.000-07:00

Cavitation is when vapor bubbles form in a liquid when the liquid pressure drops below the vapor pressure.

Cavitation can occur on ship and submarine propellers. Because the faster a fluid move the less pressure it has. The water moving past the propeller can reach pressures bellow the vapor pressure and cavitation occurs.

Just as cavitation bubbles form on a fast-spinning boat propeller, they may also form on the tails and fins of aquatic animals. The effects of cavitation are especially important near the surface of the ocean, where the ambient water pressure is relatively low and cavitation is more likely to occur.

For powerful swimming animals like dolphins and tuna, cavitation may be detrimental, because it limits their maximum swimming speed. Even if they have the power to swim faster, dolphins may have to restrict their speed because collapsing cavitation bubbles on their tail are too painful. Cavitation also slows tuna, but for a different reason. Unlike dolphins, these fish do not feel the painful bubbles, because they have bony fins without nerve endings. Nevertheless, they cannot swim faster because the cavitation bubbles create an air film around their fins that limits their speed. Lesions have been found on tuna that are consistent with cavitation damage.

Sources: Wikipedia

Papaya Tree - Reference Guide

2009-04-17T13:24:00.000-07:00

LOCATION AND PLANTING Papayas like to be warm with both sunshine and reflected heat, so the hottest place against the house where nothing else seems happy is an ideal location. They also like to be as free from wind as possible, although this is not as critical as their need for sun. Papayas can be grown successfully in shade, but the fruit is rarely sweet. They are best planted in mounds or against the foundation of a building where water can be controlled.

WATERING Watering is the most critical aspect in raising papayas. The plants should be kept on to the dry side to avoid root rot, but also need enough water to support their large leaves. In winter the plant prefers to remain as dry as possible. A plant that has been injured by frost is particularly susceptible to root rot. In the summer they can handle all the water you can give them provided the soil drains well.

CARE AND FROST PROTECTION Papayas need warmth and a frost-free environment, but can often withstand light freezes with some kind of overhead protection. This can be provided by building a frame around the plants and covering it with bedding, plastic sheeting, etc. when frost threatens. Electric light bulbs can also be used for added warmth. Potted specimens can be moved to a frost-secure area. Prolonged cold, even if it does not freeze, may adversely affect the plants and the fruit. Mexican papayas are more hardy than Hawaiian varieties.

FERTILIZING The fast-growing papaya requires regular applications of nitrogen fertilizers but the exact rates have not been established. Feed monthly and adjust according to the plant's response. They can take fairly hot organic fertilizing such as chicken manure if used with deep irrigation after warm weather has started. Phosphorus deficiency casuses dark green foliage with a reddish-purple discoloration of leaf veins and stalks.

SOIL Papayas need a light, well-drained soil. Cactus mix works best.

WINDS Protection from wind is best but not crucial. If you have a warm sunny spot with protection from high winds that would be ideal. Otherwise just choose the hottest sunniest spot in your yard.

SUN AND HEAT The papaya will take full Arizona sun. If the soil temperature is above 55 degrees and drains well (the basin will empty in less than 30 minutes), it is okay to flood irrigate and the tree will respond with fast growth. You can’t believe how fast. When the temperature rises over 90, use good judgement but water often and deeply.

Source: http://www.tropicamango.com/papaya.html (How not to kill your Papaya Plant)

Chemistry: NFPA 704

2009-04-15T14:00:00.000-07:00

If you have ever seen or worked with chemicals you've probably seen one of these. This is a NFPA 704 or "fire diamond". NFPA stands for National Fire Protection Association. The "fire diamond" used by emergency personnel to quickly and easily identify the risks posed by nearby hazardous materials

This is what it means:

Blue: Health
0 - Poses no health hazard, no precautions necessary.
1 - Exposure would cause irritation with only minor residual injury
2 - Intense or continued but not chronic exposure could cause temporary incapacitation or possible residual injury
3 - Short exposure could cause serious temporary or moderate residual injury
4 - Very short exposure could cause death or major residual injury

Red: Flammability
0 - Will not burn.
1 - Must be heated before it can ignite.
2 - Must be moderately heated or exposed to relatively high ambient temperature before ignition can occur.
3 - Liquids and solids that can be ignited under almost all ambient temperature conditions.
4 - Is readily dispersed in air and will burn readily.

Yellow: Instability/Reactivity
0 - Normally stable, even under fire exposure conditions, and is not reactive with water.
1 - Normally stable, (but can become unstable at elevated temperatures and pressures).
2 - Undergoes violent chemical change at elevated temperatures and pressures, reacts violently with water, or may form explosive mixtures with water.
3 - Capable of detonation or explosive decomposition but requires a strong initiating source, must be heated under confinement before initiation, reacts explosively with water, or will detonate if severely shocked.
4 - Readily capable of detonation or explosive decomposition at normal temperatures and pressures.

The white diamond is something that makes the compound especially dangerous. In this case the compound reacts with water.

Sources:
Wikipedia
Wikimedia Commons

Social Studies: Boycotting

2009-04-13T11:48:00.000-07:00

Boycott - to combine in abstaining from, or preventing dealings with, as a means of intimidation or coercion -- dictionary.com

Where did this strange word come from?

In 1880 Irish tenant farmers organized a revolt against a British estate manager in County Mayo. Why? They where out raged by the high rental cost and demanded he reduce the rent because of a bad harvest.

He got the constables to evict his tenants.

They reacted by denying him supplies or labor. His nerve broke and he left the country.

Who was this manager the laborers were so angry with? Charles Cunningham Boycott.

His name is now tied to the revolutionary tactic.

Sources:
The Greatest Stories Never Told by Rick Beyer

Social Studies: Beach Pneumatic Transit

2009-04-10T12:00:00.000-07:00

In 1912 workers for the New York subway were surprised to find an already existing subway station, abandoned an and forgotten.

In the 1860s Alfred Beach became appalled with New York traffic. The solution an air-powered under ground train.

Its single tunnel, 312 feet long, 8 feet in diameter, was completed in 1870 and ran under Broadway from Warren Street to Murray Street. The line was built as a demonstration of a pneumatic transit system, open to the public with fares donated to charity. It remained little more than a curiosity, running only a single car on its one-block-long track to a dead-end at its terminus. (Passengers would simply ride out and back, to see what the proposed subway might be like.) Although the public showed initial approval, Beach was delayed in getting permission to expand it due to official obstruction for various reasons . By the time he finally gained permission in 1873, public and financial support had waned, and the subway was closed down.

It wasn't until the 20th century that New York would get another subway.

Sources:
Wikipedia
Greatest Stories Never Told by Rick Beyer

Flowers in Monterrey

2009-04-10T09:39:00.000-07:00

I Love Spring!

Biology: Aye-aye

2009-04-07T13:17:00.000-07:00

Aye-aye eating a banana flower.

Aye-ayes are a primates from Madagascar. Aye-ayes are nocturnal and rarely come to down to the forest floor, instead the spend most of their time in the trees.

Aye-ayes are dark brown or black and are distinguished by a bushy tail that is larger than their body. They also feature big eyes, slender fingers, and large, sensitive ears. Aye-ayes have pointed claws on all their fingers and toes except for their opposable big toes, which enable them to dangle from branches.

Being nocturnal they spend their days in their circular tree nest. While perched, the aye-aye taps on trees with its long middle finger and listens for wood-boring insect larvae moving under the bark. It employs the same middle finger to fish them out. The digit is also useful for scooping the flesh out of coconuts and other fruits that supplement the animal's insect diet.

Sources:
Wikipedia
National Geographic

Social studies: Microwave

2009-04-06T13:57:00.000-07:00

Percy Spencer was a building magnetrons (devices that produce microwaves) for radar sets with the company Raytheon. One time while experimenting with magnetrons the chocolate bar in his pocket melted.

The first food to be deliberately cooked with Spencer's microwave was popcorn, and the second was an egg, which exploded in the face of one of the experimenters. To verify his theory, Spencer created a high density electromagnetic field by feeding microwave power into a metal box from which it had no way to escape. When food was placed in the box with the microwave energy, the temperature of the food rose rapidly.

Thus the microwave oven was born.

Sources:
Wikipedia

Social Studies: How big?

2009-04-03T15:44:00.000-07:00

Some may think that Christopher Columbus had many arguments with scholars whether the earth was round or flat. If you feel that way you've fooled by Washington Irving.

It was common knowledge by Columbus' that the earth was round Aristotle discovered the earth was round two thousand years earlier, he pointed out that the earth casts a circular shadow on the moon.

The real debate was the size of the earth. Columbus ended up wrong, with his theory that the sail to India would be short.

Irving's version made Columbus the hero overcoming myth and superstition.

Sources:
The Greatest Stories Never Told by Rick Beyer