Stunning Images from Space

The Sombrero Galaxy - 28 million light years from Earth - was voted best picture taken by the Hubble telescope. The dimensions of the galaxy, officially called M104, are as spectacular as its appearance. It has 800 billion suns and is 50,000 light years across





The Ant Nebula, a cloud of dust and gas whose technical name is Mz3, resembles an ant when observed using ground-based telescopes. The nebula lies within our galaxy between 3,000 and 6,000 light years from Earth.

There are more of these at this link: Hubble telescope's top ten greatest space photographs

N.B. You need to click on the "Gallery" link in order to avoid unwanted tabloid headlines!

Explore the Cell

While searching for images of tiny things, I found this really cool interactive "Tour of the Cell" at the NSF site. My son who has been learning about cells found it fascinating -- and it helped him connect together some of the things he's learning.

Oldest Tree

Oldest always seems to pique my interest. But considering that this has been ALIVE for 10,000 years is just amazing.

Swedish researchers find world's oldest living tree

Amazing Ants!

A friend's son, who is very interested in ants, sent me the link to this video about leafcutter ants and the amazing architecture of their hives. The sheer scale of it is impressive, especially given the size of its builders.

The Battle at Kruger

This is the most amazing bit of animal behavior I've ever seen. This took place at Kruger National Park in South Africa. (You might want to preview it before showing it to your little ones, but it's really not as gruesome as it at first seems.)

The Science of Fairy Tales

Could Rapunzel's hair actually have borne the weight of the prince? Could Aladdin fly on a carpet? Could the witch have "stolen" the Little Mermaid's voice without using any magical powers?

The answers to these questions can be found at this entertaining article The Science of Fairy Tales

Hat-tip to Amanda at http://wittingshire.blogspot.com/

Snowflakes and Minerals

Did you know that snowflakes are minerals?

This was a question on a sample test I gave to our rocks and minerals team for Science Olympiad: True or False: Snowflakes are minerals? The teens thought they had that question aced when they answered false.

Now I just hope that question is on the test tomorrow when they compete at the regional competition.

Testimony to the perfection of creation

Cosmic coincidence spotted : Nature News

For all you mathematicians!
Hat-tip NEW ADVENT: Home

Ice formations by the Mississippi

We saw those yesterday traveling from WI to SD...

Another Update on Life of Fred

Back in 2006 I blogged on the Life of Fred algebra textbook and some passages that contained innuendo and drug references. Some of those passage have been removed or change.

A Spectacular Image of Erosion

Check out this photo of a hillside near Capitol Reef National Park in Utah.

Volcano animation

This is a video prepared by some children from the U.K.

Volcanic Action at Mt. Etna, Sicily

This is some really amazing footage.

Of Geysers and Mudpots - Yellowstone National Park

More interesting geological activity. My son and I are studying Mary Daly's geology book (Doorway of Amethyst)and are very much enjoying these video supplements.

Cold Water Geysers of Utah

We're studying Geology this year and really enjoyed this video. You can read more about these cold water geysers here.

Grand Unified Theory?

Four fundamental forces have long been recognized in physics: the electromagnetic force, the strong nuclear force (that keeps atomic nuclei together), the weak nuclear force (that is behind radioactivity), and gravity. So far, physicists have managed to produce a "Standard Model" that unifies the electromagnetic and weak forces into the electroweak force. But so far, gravity has eluded all attempts to fit into the theory. The elusive search for a means to unify all four forces into a "Grand Unified Theory" is often called the "Holy Grail" of theoretical physics.

Now, a physicist-turned-surfer thinks he may have hit upon an elegant solution based on a complex but highly symmetrical mathematical pattern. Read more here. I recommend watching the animation of the pattern's rotation even if the math eludes you (as it does me!).

Newly-Visible Comet

Want to see a comet?

Skywatchers throughout the Northern Hemisphere report the newly visible Comet Holmes is a remarkable sight even under city lights.

The comet, described in glowing terms by many observers, should continue to be visible to the naked eye for at least the next few weeks. more...

Neat photomicrography website

A friend sent me the link this morning... amazing photography of very small things!

It's called Small World. Enjoy!

The Science of the Santa Ana Winds

The Santa Ana Winds, legendary in Southern California and at times deadly (particularly when combined with wildfires) are a phenomenon unique to the area.

The hot, dry Santa Ana winds are a well-known phenomenon in Southern California that can contribute to the cause and spread of wildfires in the region.
The winds sporadically blow from the eastern deserts to the Pacific during the autumn and early winter, reversing normal wind patterns in the region and warming the normally cool coastal region.
Although most believe the winds' temperature comes from the desert heat, Santa Anas actually develop when the desert is cold, peaking in December, although they can continue through March.

Read the entire article here

100's Chart Game

This is a cool interactive 100's chart. Visit it with your early grade school child. The game is to find 10 bones hidden within the chart in a minute. The dog gives you the number and the child figures out where that number is located on the blank 100's chart. Their correct answer is rewarded with a bone. It's fun and not too hard.