Global warming is changing our planet in a multitude of bizarre and terrifying ways. One place where we can see stark and dramatic effects of climate change is the arctic. A massive fissure in Siberia is dramatically expanding, changing the arctic landscape forever. Satellite images from space have revealed its rapid growth. How might this growing hole affect our Earth? A Rapidly Expanding Hole Source: Corona Satellite / USGS One could describe the same of this Siberian chasm as resembling a stingray, a horseshoe crab, or a giant tadpole. Based on images taken by a satellite in the 1960s, this…
Author: Nicole McFadden
Crystals, jewels, gemstones—whatever you tend to call them, you almost certainly think that they are stunning. Whether your favorites are diamonds, emeralds, quartz, or something else, it is easy appreciate this gorgeous natural phenomenon. In the region of Eifel, Germany—which is often renowned for its volcanic activity—an extraordinary, glittery discovery awaits. Hidden within the sediment of the Kyll River are tiny, breathtaking blue gemstones: sapphires measuring just 0.9 mm in diameter. However, these gems offer more than just visual appeal; their significance extends beyond their beauty. An Introduction to Sapphires Source: Freepik (freepik.com) Sapphires are prized gemstones primarily made up…
As students from a certain red state begin their school year, they might just experience a controversial new religious reality that many are upset by. Florida governor Ron DeSantis has recently signed a new bill into law that could intertwine Florida’s public school system with Christianity. One of the law’s biggest opponents is the Satanic Temple, who has vowed to “raise hell” for the state of Florida. Misconceptions About the Satanic Temple Source: Wikimedia Commons / Crisco 1492 First of all, an organization with the name “the Satanic Temple” may concern you. Don’t worry, they do not actually worship Satan…
A promising new marine discovery may change how scientists view the ocean. By using advanced satellite mapping, scientists at the University of Queensland (UQ) in Australia have discovered that Earth’s global expanse of coral reefs is significantly larger than previously thought. This new research represents a significant advancement in the conservation of these essential coral reef ecosystems. The Importance of Coral Reefs Source: Freepik (www.freepik.com) Coral reefs could be considered the ocean’s equivalent to rain forests, given their immense ecological importance. These vibrant underwater ecosystems are essential for the overall health of the planet. They support an astonishing variety of…
Located in the Indian Ocean there is a particularly interesting country made of tons of tiny islands. This country is the Maldives, and it is home to many who live on these interesting atoll islands. For many years, it has been thought that these tiny islands—about a 1,000 of them—would soon vanish under the rising ocean waters due to climate change. A new study, however, combats this worry. It’s the conservation success story of the century, showcasing nature’s incredible resilience. Where are the Maldives? Source: Wikimedia Commons / Frédéric Ducarme The Maldives is a popular vacation destination. It is a…
Cats: stars of a plethora of animated media, a multitude of memes, and one aptly named musical. Although some of these adorable companions can be a bit outwardly aloof, most are absolute sweethearts when you get familiar with one another. However, even if you own a cat, you may not know why they do some of the strange behaviors they exhibit. Also, if you are thinking about getting a cat, you will want to be familiar with their body language; if you’re cosmically inclined, you will have to make sure that your zodiac sign is compatible with cats, too. In…
The United States is home to a ton of incredibly interesting history. It’s always fun to learn something new about your country, so we’ve compiled a list of some of America’s oldest man-made structures. In order to qualify, we had a short list of criteria: the structure has to still be standing (at least partially), able to be visited by tourists, and constructed by humans. Many of these sites offer tours, museums, and walking trails. This article includes the first half of America’s states when put in alphabetical order. These states are Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware,…
The United States is home to a ton of incredibly interesting history. It’s always fun to learn something new, so we’ve compiled a list of some of America’s oldest man-made structures. In order to qualify, we had a short list of criteria: the structure has to still be standing (at least partially), able to be visited by tourists, and constructed by humans. Many of these sites offer tours, museums, and walking trails. This article includes the second half of America’s states when put in alphabetical order. These states are Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York,…
With the right materials, teenagers can create amazing things. From making art projects to scientific gadgets, high schoolers often show off their astonishing smarts and creativity. After all, they are the world’s future leaders…and they can begin changing the planet even as kids. One such outstanding teen hails from the country of Wales. He recently achieved an impressive A* grade on his A-Levels by creating an amazing nuclear fusion reactor. The Terrific Teen Source: Dukes Education The student scientist is a 17-year-old originally from Italy named Cesare Mencarini. He created the nuclear fusion reactor as part of his Extended Project…
In 1999, NASA launched the Chandra telescope into orbit. Chandra’s mission is to detect X-ray emissions in space and to take images so that scientists can better understand our universe. Chandra recently turned 25 years old, and to celebrate, NASA has released 25 jaw-dropping and never-before-seen images that Chandra has captured. All 25 of these pictures are absolutely beautiful and awe-inspiring. The Chandra Telescope Source: Wikimedia Commons / NASA/CXC/NGST Chandra is a NASA telescope that is specially designed to detect X-ray emission from regions across the universe. These especially interesting hot regions include clusters of galaxies, stars, and matter surrounding…