Many people incorrectly assume that the sky and water appear blue because of reflection; this is not actually true; their hue comes from something called Rayleigh scattering. As sunlight passes through Earth’s atmosphere it is scattered by gases such as oxygen and nitrogen, with shorter wavelengths (blues) more easily scattered than longer ones (reds). This…
The water cycle is an eternally ongoing cycle that connects all the water on Earth through evaporation, condensation and precipitation processes that play an integral part of daily life. Water is an invaluable resource, accounting for 60-75% of our bodyweight and necessary for our survival over three days without it. Furthermore, it helps regulate climate…
No one understands marine performance like your local Mercury authorised dealer. They employ factory-trained experts and master technicians ready to help maximize your time on the water. Replace your old outboard engine with a Mercury one and experience faster boating, enhanced fuel economy and superior handling. All 130 Bass Pro Shops/Cabela’s Boating Center locations feature…
Scientists have long searched Mars for signs of liquid water, including signs like mysterious dark streaks on its surface and signs like hydrated minerals that indicate their existence. According to this new study, between 30-99% of Earth’s original water has become trapped within special rocks known as hydrous minerals; any remaining amounts either escaped into…
Mercury released into the air from coal-fired power plants, burning household waste or mining ore deposits can reach soil and water resources where bacterial processes may transform it into organic mercury-methylmercury forms. Methylmercury travels up the food chain, poisoning fish and wildlife that humans then ingest as well as finding its way into our drinking…
Numerous readers have asked why the sky is blue; contrary to popular belief, it’s not because water reflects it, but due to air molecules. As sunlight passes through the atmosphere it gets scattered by oxygen and nitrogen molecules, creating a condition in which shorter wavelengths (blues) are scattered more than longer wavelengths (reds), creating what…
Explore Earth’s continuous cycle of water movement with these books, activities and classroom lessons on the water cycle. Readers of this straightforward book discover that water evaporates into clouds, then condenses to form rain and snowfall, with this precipitation coming from oceans, seas, lakes, ponds and rivers as their source. Clouds Cloud formation is an…
An Earth analog or Earth twin planet is defined as any planet which shares most of the characteristics found here on our own planet, including geological processes and lifeforms. Astrobiologists and astronomers study such planets in search of extraterrestrial life forms. Scientists have recently identified an increasing number of rocky exoplanets – planets like Earth…
The death of 118-year-old French nun Lucile Randon last week has reignited a long-standing debate: is there a limit to how long a healthy human can live? Back in the 18th century, French naturalist Georges-Louis Leclerc, known as the Comte de Buffon, theorised that a person who has not suffered an accident or illness could…
