For centuries, the Nile was an object of deep wonder and respect. Ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans all sought to locate its source–an endeavor which proved impossible and added mystique to this great river. Its source remains controversial, although most scientists generally acknowledge that its main tributaries originate in East Africa’s Lake Plateau region. 1….
The savanna is an expansive grassland where wildlife flourishes. This landscape features termite mounds and kopjes – rocky outcrops which may seem innocuous but serve an important ecological function – making the savanna home to millions of diverse organisms that contribute to its ecosystems. Herbivorous animals (plant eaters) such as zebras, wildebeests, gazelles and giraffes…
Apollo, the Greek god of light and healing, also served as messenger and punisher. From 1961 to 1972, the Apollo space program ran before coming to an abrupt end after an accidental fire caused by poor maintenance on their command module resulted in the deaths of astronauts Virgil Grissom, Edward White, and Roger Chaffee while…
On 20 July 1969, over 650 million viewers tuned into live television broadcast of Armstrong’s historic “one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind”. Apollo 16 marked the first manned mission with a lunar rover, enabling Commander David Scott and Lunar Module Pilot James Irwin to explore the lunar surface over three days…
Moms provide unconditional care for their children – from cooking meals, cleaning the house, taxiing them around and many other duties to looking at themselves with both pride and sadness when viewing dark circles or their own weight changes. “Why is the sky blue?” Her children stare up with wide-eyed curiosity as they ask her…
After Apollo 8’s historic circumlunar flight and the Lunar Module dress rehearsal, NASA looked like they might meet their end-of-decade deadline to plant footprints on the Moon. But before Apollo 9 can make its final journey to the Moon, one of its toughest challenges must first be met and overcome. This story chronicles some of…
The sky’s distinctive blue hue results from scattered sunlight. When sunlight strikes atmospheric particles such as nitrogen and oxygen molecules, their molecules scatter it with more blue wavelengths. Blue wavelengths tend to scatter more easily than red ones; this phenomenon is known as Rayleigh scattering. The Sun The Sun is responsible for giving the sky…
Are You Wondering Why the Sky Is Blue? (Ps. 417)? : Many have pondered this question since mankind first explored space. As light enters the atmosphere, it interacts with air molecules primarily composed of nitrogen and oxygen atoms that scatter its various wavelengths; this allows blue light waves to travel further than others. It’s a…
Spring can be seen everywhere – from snowdrops dotting the forest floor to jelly-like frogspawn in your local pond, and even trees like alders (with their long male catkins) sending up signs that it is time for new growth and blooming buds to appear as classic indicators of change. Keep an eye on the skies…
