India’s Hidden Beaches
Posted: May 31, 2010 Filed under: Uncategorized Leave a comment »
Kalpeni
The total length of the sand shoreline, which is mostly shaded by palms growing almost near the water, is more than 300 kilometres. Privacy here is not to be looked for, as since the beginning of 2002, the Karnataka State Government allocated considerable resources for the development of tourism in the region. The beach here is well protected from the wind and the water here is always calm. Restaurants are scattered on the beach where once can taste the traditional local seafood, which is quite spicy. Best time to visit the state is from July to February.
Palolem
This picturesque edge of South Goa is a perfect place where you can escape from the bustle of traditional tourist-filled resorts.
It is better to stop in one of the huts on the shore. At the left edge of the beach, one can go down to the rocks and get to the picturesque island of butterflies, surrounded. In the evening one can sit in the small coastal restaurants and enjoy the fish with beer and live music. And, of course, one has to taste the local alcoholic drink Feni, made of coconut or cashew.
Mararikulam
this is the best place to spend sluggish weekends on the beaches of Kerala. Life here moves slowly and every morning the fishermen go to the sea to return in the afternoon with the usual abundant catches. The blue water and yellow sand inspire poetic mood and one can exist forever in this slow rhythm. huts can be rented and equipped with all necessary amenities, made in the image of the fishing lodges. At dawn one can go fishing, like local residents, and during the day engage in windsurfing or parasailing.
Karwar
The total length of the sand shoreline, which is mostly shaded by palms growing almost near the water, is more than 300 kilometres. Privacy here is not to be looked for, as since the beginning of 2002, the Karnataka State Government allocated considerable resources for the development of tourism in the region. The beach here is well protected from the wind and the water here is always calm. Restaurants are scattered on the beach where once can taste the traditional local seafood, which is quite spicy. Best time to visit the state is from July to February.
Mandvi
The 6 kilometre beach of Mandvi in Gujarat is most suitable for long walks by
foot. The beach is a paradise for lovers of water sports. One can rent scooters, go water-skiing and surfing or sit behind the wheel of speed motor boats and drift away into the turquoise sea. The surrounding waters are good for catching fish, and the fishing and cooking on the coals on the beach can easily give meaning to the day.
Ecuador, Guatamala Volcanoes Blow
Posted: May 30, 2010 Filed under: News, Volcanoes Leave a comment »
Thousands of people were evacuated and airports were closed as Ecuador’s Tungurahua volcano and the Pacaya volcano in Guatemala erupted late on Friday.
The eruptions choked major cities with ash and left two dead, officials said. Guatemalan President Alvaro Colom declared a 15-day state of emergency around the Pacaya volcano, 50 kilometers (31 miles) south of the capital.
In Ecuador, the Tungurahua volcano, seen here, exploded into action Friday, forcing the evacuation of at least seven villages and closing down the airport and public schools in Guayaquil, the country’s largest and most populated city.
Australia Hauls Japan into International Court Over Whaling
Posted: May 29, 2010 Filed under: Ecosystem, Environment, Food, food security, News Leave a comment »
Australia will initiate legal action in the International Court of Justice in The Hague against Japan’s so-called “scientific” whaling in the Southern Ocean, three Rudd government ministers announced .
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Bursting ‘Bubbles’ the Origin of Galactic Gas Clouds
Posted: May 28, 2010 Filed under: Space, Uncategorized Leave a comment »
Like bubbles bursting on the surface of a glass of champagne, ‘bubbles’ in our Galaxy burst and leave flecks of material in the form of clouds of hydrogen gas, researchers using CSIRO’s Parkes telescope have found.Their study explains the origin of these clouds for the first time.
Swinburne University PhD student Alyson Ford (now at the University of Michigan) and her supervisors; Dr Naomi McClure-Griffiths (CSIRO Astronomy and Space Science) and Felix Lockman (US National Radio Astronomy Observatory), have made the first detailed observations of ‘halo’ gas clouds in our Galaxy.
Just as Earth has an atmosphere, the main starry disk of our Galaxy is surrounded by a thinner halo of stars, gas and ‘dark matter’.
The halo clouds skim the surface of our Galaxy, sitting 400 to 10 000 light-years outside the Galactic disk. They are big: an average-sized cloud contains hydrogen gas 700 times the mass of the Sun and is about 200 light-years across.
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First Human Infected With a Computer Virus
Posted: May 28, 2010 Filed under: News, Uncategorized Leave a comment »A British researcher has successfully infected himself with a computer virus.
Mark Gasson, senior research fellow at the University of Reading, was able to infect a tiny, radio frequency identification (RFID) chip with a virus before he placed it under the skin on his hand. He uses that chip to activate his cell phone, as well as open secure doors.
Thanks to the computer chip, his cell phone knows when he’s using it, and when someone else is trying to operate the device. If someone else tries to use his phone (after, say, stealing it), that person is not able to use it. Only Gasson can.
And instead of him swiping an ID card to enter his building, he just needs to wave his hand to gain entrance. The convenience of not taking out his ID and the safety of his phone come with a price, however.
He served as carrier, and was able to pass the virus on to an external computer. The virus was of Gasson’s own design and was not malicious. But he was able to show that computer viruses can move seamlessly between computers within and outside the body. And theoretically, if a person had several computers in his or her body, a computer virus could spread from one to another, infecting them all.
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New Star-Forming Regions in Milky Way
Posted: May 28, 2010 Filed under: Space Leave a comment »
Astronomers studying the Milky Way have discovered a large number of previously-unknown regions where massive stars are being formed. Their discovery provides important new information about the structure of our home Galaxy and promises to yield new clues about the chemical composition of the Galaxy.
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50 Places to Explore Outer Space Online
Posted: May 27, 2010 Filed under: Guest Post, Space Leave a comment »
Guest Post by Anna Miller
Dear Readers ,Anna Miller has sent me this article by email to post it.As I found it useful, I am reproducing it here.Enjoy.
One does not have to keep his or her head in the sky to receive an education in all the lovely rocky, gaseous, and just plain mysterious elements of the universe. A plethora of resources exists on the internet to stimulate minds yearning to explore outer space. While rocketing up towards the heavens may not yet be a reality for billions of individuals, those with an internet connection can take advantage of these amazing online tools to traverse the cosmos. This list, of course, only provides a sampling of the myriad vessels for gazing into the hidden pockets of outer space without ever leaving their desk.
1. NASA : Easily the best online resource for space aficionados everywhere, NASA’s expansive archive of photos, videos, articles, and other media make this a must-bookmark site.
2. Universe Today : This extremely popular blog allows readers to not only explore the universe right from their computers, but understand the technologies that allow it to happen.
3. The Planetary Society : Learn everything there is to know about the cosmos by exploring The Planetary Society’s blog and reading all about their past, current, and future projects.
4. Space.com : Watch videos, gaze at marvelous photos, and engage in numerous other multimedia activities that shed light on the wonders of the universe.
5. SETI@home : Regardless of whether or not one believes in extraterrestrial life forms, SETI provides a neat opportunity for the citizenry to participate in analyzing radio signals directly from outer space.
6. SETI : Beyond their SETI@home project, the scientists associated with the organization have compiled an extensive resource on their inquiries into astrobiology and other obscure, space-related subjects.
7. Astronomy Picture of the Day : Every day, NASA posts a stunning picture from its archives for space fanatics to enjoy. Be sure to read the accompanying explanations by professional astronomers as well!
8. YouTube – NASAtelevision’s Channel : Visit NASA’s main hub for over 900 videos regarding missions, astronomical phenomena, and much, much more.
9. moon calendar : This Java applet by Paul Carlisle allows fans of outer space to explore the phases of the moon for any month between January 3999 B.C.E. and December 3999 C.E.
10. Planetary Science Research Discoveries : The State of Hawai’i shares all of the latest news and information regarding the Solar System’s eclectic mix of celestial bodies in a manner that is suitable for general audiences.
11. Hawai’i Institute of Geophysics and Planetology : Explore the cosmos alongside the scientists and students at the University of Hawai’i at Manoa, who share their current projects and research to those wanting to know and see more of what lay beyond Earth.
12. SEDS : Students for the Exploration and Development of Space urges others to support their cause, providing them with compelling research and information.
13. Views of the Solar System : Soak up some celestial splendor with this excellent website, which comes straight to readers chock-full of photos and information on the history and technology of space exploration.
14. Astronomical Society of the Pacific : Delight in everything that ASP has to offer fans of space exploration, including research, education programs, and other activities – some of which, however, involves effort outside the website.
15. EarthSky : Though not focusing exclusively on outer space, EarthSky helps viewers peer into the heavens and understand how all the different scientific fields of inquiry interconnect with one another.
16. SLOOH : Lovers of space exploration should sign up for a free account with SLOOH for access to an online observatory crammed with wondrous sights.
17. MicroObservatory : A joint venture between Harvard University and NASA, the MicroObservatory places space exploration in the hands of visitors by offering them a chance to see the universe as their telescopes do.
18. StarDate Online : Read, look at stunning photographs, listen to the radio, and much more at StarDate Online, where space aficionados converge to learn all they can about the cosmos and apply their knowledge to backyard astronomy.
19. Astronomy.com : Astronomy magazine’s official website carries over the same love of outer space as the print version, with many multimedia online features to enjoy and explore.
20. Kalamazoo Astronomical Society : Hit up KAS’s website for news, views, inspiration, resources and – of course – drop dead gorgeous photography by the organization’s members.
21. Space Today : Space Today provides visitors with comprehensive photos and descriptions of celestial figures as close as the Solar System and as far as the furthest known corners of the universe. Be sure to also stop by for all the latest news and views regarding space exploration.
22. European Space Observatory : As with the other observatories on this list, ESO provides space fanatics with many of the tools and resources they need to peer into the universe without ever having to log off the internet.
23. Space Observatory: Online Interactive Telescope : This fun little online tool targets younger children who yearn to know more about the universe beyond Earth’s borders, letting them pick the cosmic entities that interest them most.
24. ESA Portal : Check out the European Space Agency’s official website for news, resources, and multimedia explorations of the universe that is right up there with NASA in terms of comprehensive, educational quality.
25. HubbleSite : Peer through the lens of one of the world’s most famous orbiting telescopes and marvel at the breathtaking images it captures.
26. Sky & Telescope : Among its many other features, be sure to check Sky & Telescope magazine’s amazing selection of observation blogs to explore the craziness of the cosmos.
27. Star Journey : National Geographic’s interactive, online star chart greatly engages the amateur astronomer who wants to see exactly how every known structure of the universe relates to one another.
28. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Moon : Explore the moon and learn all about its nooks, crannies, and current phase with this excellent, educational online tool.
29. Space Archive : As its name implies, Space Archive serves as a nice little resource for all the latest findings from the astronomy industry, including gorgeous photos and intelligent commentaries.
30. The Deep Sky Database : More advanced astronomers will love using The Deep Sky Database to seek out interstellar phenomena based on their exacting criteria.
31. Sungazer : Sungazer provides visitors with a bevy of images and animations regarding the center of the Solar System as well as information on the equipment astronomers use to learn more about it.
32. Astronomy for The People : Wes Stone’s comprehensive online presence features essays as well as some incredible logs to engage and fascinate readers with a love of outer space.
33. Heavens-Above : Stop by Heavens-Above for information on what to expect in the sky for the evening, with special attention paid to the positions of satellites, the sun, the moon, and planets.
34. eo : Anyone hoping to explore the cosmos without ever logging out of their browsers would do well to look at eo’s phenomenal maps and orbit and satellite trackers.
35. Eagleseye : David Eagles updates his blog with numerous images of the night sky as well as reports of what to look out for on a month by month basis.
36. Geophysical Institute : The Geophysical Institute at University of Alaska Fairbanks may focus mainly on the ins and outs of planet Earth, but it still provides online spacefarers with tools to learn about current space weather and solar activity.
37. Espace L60 : Look through the universe through the lens of a 60 mm refractor, including basic information on different celestial bodies, pictures, and instructions on picking up astronomy at home.
38. Messier45.com : With Messier45.com, internet astronomers have access to maps and lists suitable for observing on or off the computer.
39. Stig’s Sky Calendar : Although it defaults to Norway, aspiring space explorers can pick their (or their closest) international city to see what sights they can expect for almost any month in the past, present, or future.
40. WorldWide Telescope : Available as both a download and a web client, Microsoft’s WorldWide Telescope allows users to explore every corner of the universe as if looking through NASA’s most powerful equipment. Anyone with a love of discovering everything there is to know about the heavens must absolutely book this resource.
41. KidsAstronomy.com : Aimed mostly at younger children, KidsAstronomy.com teaches budding young stargazers how to identify the different constellations, phases of the moon, planets, deep space, and more – including handy printouts to help them when the computers shut down!
42. Celestia : Although it requires a free download and does not currently host a client version, all hopeful space explorers need to snag Celestia if they yearn for a peek into every corner of the known universe. Even those without the hard drive space to store it can gaze at the stunning screenshots.
43. Google Sky : Doing for the universe what Google Earth does for the planet, Google Sky serves as an amazing way to pick and choose which celestial bodies to observe.
44. Exploring the Planets : The Smithsonian Institute itself provides an amazing tool for learning more about the Solar System without delving too deeply into the physics and mathematics behind astronomy.
45. The Universe : Watch videos, marvel at lush photos, interact with the universe, and much more courtesy of the History Channel.
46. The Nine Planets For Kids : Let kids explore every planet in the Solar System (as well as the Sun and the Asteroid Belt) with pictures and detailed information on each of them – including the mythological roots of their names!
47. Palomar Skies : Palomar Skies allows its readers to join them in looking towards the heavens by offering pictures, updated research, and other ways to pique their curiosity about the universe.
48. Vatican Observatory : Unlike its medieval incarnation, today’s Catholic Church embraces most aspects of the sciences – and the Vatican Observatory has snapped some incredible photographs and inspired some world-class research.
49. GALEX : NASA and CalTech form a brain trust to share information and images regarding the evolution of galaxies for the enjoyment of space junkies everywhere.
50. Bradford Robotic Telescope : This amazing online telescope lets users gaze at all the wonders of the night sky without ever having to log off their browsers.
Bacteria Can Make You Smarter
Posted: May 26, 2010 Filed under: Uncategorized Leave a comment »
Exposure to specific bacteria in the environment, already believed to have antidepressant qualities, could increase learning behavior, according to research presented at the 110th General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology in San Diego.”Mycobacterium vaccae is a natural soil bacterium which people likely ingest or breath in when they spend time in nature,” says Dorothy Matthews of The Sage Colleges in Troy, New York, who conducted the research with her colleague Susan Jenks.
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China’s homegrown satellite navigation system Beidou to serve the world by 2020
Posted: May 26, 2010 Filed under: Countries, GPS Leave a comment »China’s homegrown satellite navigation system Beidou is expected to cover the world by around 2020, the chief designer of the system Sun Jiadong said Wednesday.The Beidou System, also know as the Compass Navigation Satellite System (CNSS), is a global satellite navigation system independently developed and operated by China. It can provide highly-accurate and reliable navigation, positioning and timing services. At present, this system has entered the launch and network arrangement stage.Sun said the development of the system follows a “three-step” strategy:From 2000 to 2003, China completed the establishment of the trial CNSS, which is composed of three satellites, making it the third country to own an independent satellite navigation system. Second, the CNSS will cover China and its surrounding areas by 2010, and third, the CNSS will be able to cover the entire world by around 2020.
Maps that changed the world
Posted: May 25, 2010 Filed under: map making Leave a comment »
BE ON GUARD! 1921
The infant USSR was threatened with invasion, famine and social unrest. To counter this, brilliant designers such as Dimitri Moor were employed to create pro-Bolshevik propaganda.Using a map of European Russia and its neighbours, Moor’s image of a heroic Bolshevik guard defeating the invading ‘Whites’ helped define the Soviet Union in the Russian popular imagination.
HENRICUS MARTELLUS WORLD MAP, c1490
It’s said that Columbus used this map or one like it to persuade Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castile to support him in the early 1490s.The map was made by a German cartographer living in Florence and reflects the latest theories about the form of the world and the most accurate ways of portraying it on a flat surface.It seemed to prove that, as Columbus argued, there wasn’t a great distance between Europe and China by sea.The map is also the first to record the rounding of the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa by the Portuguese in 1488.This proved that there wasn’t a land link to Asia in the south – and that Europeans could reach the riches of the East Indies by sea without having to go through Muslim-held lands.
CHINESE GLOBE, 1623
Made for the Chinese Emperor, this is the earliest known Chinese terrestrial globe, and a fusion of East and Western cultures.Its creators are thought to be the Jesuit missionaries Manuel Dias (1574-1659), who introduced the telescope to China, and Nicolo Longobardi (1565-1655), superior general of the China mission.Both were respected scholars, and the globe’s depiction of the coasts of Africa and Europe would have contrasted with traditional Chinese maps.These exaggerated the size of China and placed it in the middle of a world that otherwise consisted mainly of small off shore islands.In its treatment of eclipses and meridians and its information about magnetic inclination, however, the globe draws on ideas that were developed in China far earlier than in the West.
WALDSEEMULLER WORLD MAP, 1507
‘America’ is named and envisaged as a separate continent for the first time on this map, put together by a think tank in Saint-Dié in the Duchy of Lorraine.
The map itself was created by a skilled cartographer, Martin Waldseemüller, and was accompanied by an explanatory booklet by one Matthias Ringmann. Impressed by the writings of Florentine navigator Amerigo Vespucci, Ringmann suggested that the Americas weren’t part of Asia, as Columbus thought, but a continent in their own right.
So they should, like the other continents, have a female name – hence America, after Vespucci’s first name. Perhaps to emphasise the independent existence of the Americas, the map shows what we now know is the Pacific lapping the western coast of South America, though its existence was only confirmed years later.
GOOGLE EARTH, c2005
Google Earth presents a world in which the area of most concern to you (in this instance, Avebury in Wiltshire) can be at the centre, and which – with mapped content overlaid – can contain whatever you think is important.
Almost for the first time, the ability to create an accurate map has been placed in the hands of everyone, and it has transformed the way we view the world. But it comes at a price.
There are few, if any, agreed standards about what should be included, and the less populated and ‘less important’ regions get ignored.
