Last week while visiting the California Academy of Sciences planetarium for the sixth time I learned some exciting new information about the red dwarf star Gliese 581. It seems that a resent discover of exoplanet Gliese 581e changed the gravitational pull of the outmost planet Gliese 581d bringing it well inside of the habitable zone it was thought to be skimming.
This is exactly what I love about science. How large and small discoveries can so alter the world we inhabit as we imagine the possible fish swimming around 20.5 light years away from our own bright star.
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Explore//Nature
Believe it or not, giraffes with rounded spot patterns will not co-mingle with angular spotted giraffes. Recent genetic testing has suggested that giraffes are at least six separate species that are genetically unique. And that giraffes are predisposed to stay with their own coats.
These six types; Maasai, Angolan, Cape, Reticulated, West African and Rothschild's all live in separate areas of Africa. This recent subclassification has increased the importance of protecting the already dwindling numbers of giraffes. According to National Geographic, ”only a few hundred Rothschild's and West African giraffes remain“.
Found by Kongelbak | Author's Bio
Explore//Nature
When you're off exploring new places during your international adventures do you ever ask yourself, what do all of these local people think of me?
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Well, ask no more. An international survey reviewed visitors from around the world on things like: politeness, willingness to speak local languages, and interest in sampling local cuisine. And all of you worried Americans can relax for a moment, because the French ranked most obnoxious among European countries, just ahead of Indians and Chinese as the worst in the world.
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Found by Laurel | Author's Bio
Explore//Nature
Ground squirrels in Santa Monica, California, are receiving GonaCon, an "immuno-contraceptive vaccine to stunt sexual development" - i.e., birth control shots. Fear that the chattering rodents will spread rabies and bubonic plague is one reason folks want their numbers lowered, but animal activist Catherine Rich is unafraid. While she is a supporter of Santa Monica's vaccine program, she notes that, "there is not a pressing threat of squirrels attacking people, so I don't know why the county is getting their panties in a bunch." Why indeed, when they could be getting their panties into new Honey Bunches of Oats if they just learned to cooperate with the squirrels in the beginning.
Found by samazing | Author's Bio
Explore//Nature
The most catastrophic worst-case scenarios concerning global climate change usually include a significant rising of sea levels. If this occurs, anyone who owns beachfront property will be understandably concerned about the ocean now sloshing around their knees (or, if things get really bad, around their armpits) every time they head to their vacation property on the coast. Thankfully, architect Vincent Callebaut has found the proverbial silver lining in this potential crisis: Lilypad.
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Found by Seth | Author's Bio
Explore//Nature
The walrus is not the only animal sporting a painfully awkward set of teeth; enter the warthog. With a set of wildly curving tusks, this member of the pig family has undoubtedly earned it's place in the animal tooth hall of fame. Despite boasting practical uses for digging and combat, these ivory protrusions look oddly out of place on the face of this already ungainly creature.
All of that said, I must admit that I actually find these pigs somewhat endearing, and it's not despite their awkwardness. It's because of it.
All of that said, I must admit that I actually find these pigs somewhat endearing, and it's not despite their awkwardness. It's because of it.
Found by Julia | Author's Bio
Explore//Nature
It's late June and I've returned to city life. We spent a long weekend at Maverick Farms, and besides it being not nearly as hot as I had prepared myself for, the farm was all I had hoped it would be. Upon our arrival, we met all the farmers and settled into our room. Hollis, Jessie and Shannon would be tillin' and hillin' the potato field that afternoon and we were invited to come help if we felt up to it. What the hell, we were doing a work stay so we headed up to the small field.
Jessie and Shannon tilled and we hilled. The hilling consisted of pulling the tilled dirt up onto the 18" tall or so potato plants to get them covered in as much dirt as possible. While I said it wasn't too hot, we were still dripping in sweat even under our huge hats. North Carolina has this humidity about it, you see, and we were swimming in it. After some blister inducing hilling, we headed back to the farm house to shower, collapse, and prepare for dinner.
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Jessie and Shannon tilled and we hilled. The hilling consisted of pulling the tilled dirt up onto the 18" tall or so potato plants to get them covered in as much dirt as possible. While I said it wasn't too hot, we were still dripping in sweat even under our huge hats. North Carolina has this humidity about it, you see, and we were swimming in it. After some blister inducing hilling, we headed back to the farm house to shower, collapse, and prepare for dinner.
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Found by Caroline | Author's Bio
Explore//Nature
It was no doubt a sad day when you first learned that unicorns don't actually exist—at least not the sparkly sort that leap through rainbows. We've all been there (well, most of us anyway), and yet a recent news story has provided a light for the end of that tunnel. A deer with a single horn in the middle of its head was spotted on a nature preserve in Italy. And while this one-year-old deer's appearance is far from that of my cherished My Little Pony doll, it suggests that a single, centered horn is possible, albeit an anomaly.
For more details, read the full AP article.
Found by Julia | Author's Bio
Explore//Nature
One of the perks of living in San Francisco is the seemingly endless public events. My favorite spring/summer treat is Movie in the Park. A not-for-profit outdoor theater at Dolores Park. Held the second Thursday of the month, April to October. The night starts with a local opening band and a vote by noise for next month’s film.
To enjoy the night thoroughly you'll need a little preplanning. I suggest bringing two blankets (one for sitting and one for warmth), one bottle of wine per person, a pizza ordered from Delfina Pizzaria (they're just a block away), and something sweet (if you go before 8pm Tartine is open). It’s always fun and a great treat; I look forward to it each month.
To enjoy the night thoroughly you'll need a little preplanning. I suggest bringing two blankets (one for sitting and one for warmth), one bottle of wine per person, a pizza ordered from Delfina Pizzaria (they're just a block away), and something sweet (if you go before 8pm Tartine is open). It’s always fun and a great treat; I look forward to it each month.
Found by Kongelbak | Author's Bio