In 1969, German archaeologist Wendt discovered seven small quartzite slabs decorated with charcoal drawings and ochre images of animals inside a cave in Namibia – some of the earliest transportable works of art discovered anywhere on Africa. Apollo 11 features a lithic assemblage that is strikingly similar to that found at Hollow Rock Shelter and…
Venus is our closest solar system neighbor; yet how close exactly is she to Earth? Science popularizers may have created the false impression that Venus is always Earth’s closest neighbor through their carelessness, misinterpretation or groupthink. To truly grasp reality we need to examine average distances between planets as they orbit each other over time….
Spacecraft are complex machines comprised of numerous subsystems that must work in unison to complete their mission. There are seven main engineering subsystems involved, which must collaborate for successful operation: Structure, Attitude Determination & Control, Onboard Data Handling, Communication Power Thermal Propulsion. Propulsion systems are required for altitude and orbit adjustments, drag make-up maneuvers, momentum…
Apollo 11 marked the first time in modern history that humans walked on the Moon. President John F. Kennedy set this national goal and the Apollo 11 mission was executed by an ingenious team who believed man could achieve what seemed impossible. Mission patch Apollo 11 astronauts wanted a special way to commemorate one of…
As sunlight passes through the atmosphere, its wavelengths (color) are scattered by air molecules into all directions, with blue wavelengths being scattered more strongly than others – hence why the sky appears bluer. Atmospheric oxygen is provided to us by microbes known as cyanobacteria through photosynthesis; they produce water and carbon dioxide which plants turn…
Blood moons, or lunar total eclipses, take on a distinct red hue during total lunar eclipses. In 2014-2015’s lunar tetrad some speculated it could be seen as a portent for end times or signposting events to come. Blood Moons occur every full moon night at midnight (in-game). They trigger enemy horde waves to appear, while…
Egypt was home to one of Earth’s earliest and greatest civilizations. A unified kingdom first emerged around 3200 B.C. They were religious people who constructed temples to their gods. Additionally, they believed in an afterlife and constructed pyramid tombs for their kings. Cleopatra was descended from Ptolemy I Soter, one of Alexander the Great’s generals,…
Mercury pollution occurs when factories burn coal or mining operations release run-off into lakes and rivers, where microorganisms convert it to methylmercury that is taken up by plants and small fish; as these fish become consumed by larger ones, more methylmercury accumulates throughout their food chains and becomes concentrated further up. Learn about how mercury…
Spacecraft are vehicles used to transport people and materials into outer space. Launched by rockets, these craft can travel to distant corners of our solar system. NASA’s Psyche mission will explore these mysteries by visiting an asteroid known as Psyche that is thought to contain material from early solar system formation. Origins Artists have long…
