Each month, the most hard day for us is when receiving a large electricity bill. It is time for us to take serious steps to reduce our electricity bill. You do not have to worry because I will share with you some tips on how to achieve your goals. The first thing you should do is talk to your family and remind them of the importance of saving electricity. You can give gifts to them if they participate in efforts to reduce electricity bills. Suggest them some clues as to turn off lights when they are not present and participate in a call in another room or dine at the dining table. Ensure that all equipment was turned off even if you are confident will be back in 5 minutes. This will be a[..]
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President Elect Obama
ext"> Falling property prices and the rising number of foreclosures are key concerns in real estate. Mortgage —holders and builders are likely to be the focus of a wide range of initiatives. In this direction, Mr. Obama has already proposed a mortgage tax credit for home buyers who don’t itemize deductions. We still imagine more aggressive relief is likely to be sought. In an interview during his eventful presidential campaign, Mr. Obama had mentioned measures to ease mortgage crisis. He has called for the creation of a $10 billion foreclosure prevention fund that will work in tandem with state, local and community. This is to help households facing foreclosure to[..]
Limitations of Wind Energy
Limitations of Wind energy: No electricity when there is any wind The limitation of wind power is that no electricity is produced when the wind is not blowing. Thus, it cannot be used as a dependable source of base load power. Utilities and merchant generators will not invest huge sums of money into a technology that does not work when the wind is not blowing. Americans want the lights on when they flip the switch, no questions asked. Wind power will probably increase its market share when we develop a 'smart grid' that can handle multiple distributed generation input sources of electrical power. Wind Turbines Killing Migrating Birds It has been estimated that about 45,000 birds[..]
Wind Energy in America
Ending of fuels and lack of energy Over the past 100 years many new electrical appliances such as dishwashers, microwaves, and air conditioners have been invented. Because of these inventions, we are using more energy than ever before. It is predicted that the fossil fuels we currently use for sources of energy will be used up within 50-200 years. When this happens, cities all over the world will need alternative sources of energy. Fortunately there are several renewable energy sources being developed and used all over the world. It is the year 2080, and Electric City is in the midst of an energy crisis. Recent power outages have left outraged citizens without the use of computers, home[..]
Wind energy is a viable source of electricity generation in a time of soaring demand and environmental sensitivity. But limitations on capital, distance from production to use sites and other factors all act to limit its growth. Drive across the Plains states, especially Iowa and Minnesota and you may just be amazed at how many windmills you see. The same holds true for portions of southern California (e.g., Palm Springs and the Tehachapi Mountain passes) Environmental Factors These are not the small individual windmills that typify many western style scenes, but rather enormous wind turbines that soar hundreds of feet above fruited plains or dot the tops of ridges or small hills. And it[..]
Nuclear Energy and the Federal Deficit
p>The advantages of using Nuclear Power should be apparent to everybody with common sense, especially now with the resurfacing of the Global Warming and the Federal Deficit. Approximately 20% of the Federal Deficit is the value of imported oil. The politics of nuclear energy, however, is rather complicated. In the U.S. the Congress has mainly favored nuclear energy, with the Republicans more so than the Democrats. Around 1990 a bill simplifying the licensing process for new plants became law. In the early 90s Congress voted to store nuclear waste in Nevada if the studies turned out favorable. Lengthy studies came out favorable around 2000, and in 2002 Congress voted to override the[..]
Solar Energy Facts - The Good Stuff
- Solar energy is better to our environment than any known traditional forms of energy especially against fossil fuel and coal. - Solar energy has many uses such as for electricity production or for heating of water through using photovoltaic cells and directly for drying clothes, like when people hang their clothes outside. Also, solar energy can be used to cook food as well. - Solar energy can be used to heat swimming pools like heating water, it can be used to power cars, for powering attic fans, calculators and other appliances that uses solar. It also products light for people to use. - Because of high prices for electric bill using conventional source, the demand of solar energy[..]
Solar Energy Collection Methods For the Home
The sun has long been a source of both light and heat energy. The heat energy can be used to heat air and water, and the light source is employed to generate electricity. Of course, the greatest benefit of solar energy is that it is a totally free energy source, so the only concern is how to collect and harness it for utilization. A solar collector is a unit that traps the heat energy of the sun. It consists of a large, flat glass covered box that contains a dark metal plate. The plate absorbs the heat, while the glass keeps the heat from escaping. Air or water flowing through a series of tubes at the bottom of the box is warmed by the heat. Solar collectors can be used to heat homes,[..]
Imagine a world where the sun powers everything, from your heating to all your electrical needs, and all of it effortlessly, in an environment that generates and converts solar beams into power automatically. The sun itself powers the whole planet, and no pollution results from making the electricity we need. Sounds like science fiction to you? You may actually be surprised to know that a lot is going on that can prove this allegation true in the future. A lot of effort and genius is going into researching ways to more efficiently make use of solar power. What we know as solar panels that heat out water and pool and provide a bit of our electrical needs may sound like prehistoric[..]
All About Solar Energy
Every day the life-giving force of the sun bombards our little blue and green planet with untold amounts of solar energy. Everything thrives on our world because of the sun, and it never stops sending off infinite amounts of powerful solar radiation and is a source of monumentally renewable energy. These days, the idea of wasting this precious resource as it falls upon our planet is unthinkable, and it is only a matter of time before using solar energy for everything from powering our homes, heating our living spaces and warming our bath water is something that everyone is doing. Using solar power to heat and power a home or business is just good sense. After the initial investment is[..]
Passive solar energy may not be considered by some people to be as important as the actual harnessing and converting of direct current power into AC power for electrical use, however it is still an effective and very helpful way of utilizing the energy from the sun. In fact, the home you live in may already be using some type of passive solar in its design! The term passive solar energy refers to the natural energy from the sun that is captured and used for specific purposes without the use of mechanical devices. Probably the best thing about this kind of energy is how effortless it is to maintain. In order to fully maximize the light and heat energy from the sun, certain structural[..]
The sun, constant and shining, offers enough energy to run the world cleanly and efficiently if we but had the knowledge to harness its power cheaply and conveniently. We do have the technology to convert the suns energy to electricity on somewhat small scales at present. There is direct energy such as photovoltaics and there is indirect as with concentrating solar power. Consulting with solar energy companies can provide the best options for your home. Direct energy, photovoltaic, is the method of converting light into electricity. Charles Fritts noticed that electrons when hit with rays of light produced and electrical current. This was in the late 1800's. These early pioneers realized[..]
We have all heard the analysis about the remaining life of our oil based energy needs, the earth's consumption is continually being pushed higher and higher while at the same time the supply will eventually run out. There is conflicting reports about when exactly we will meet our energy crisis but one thing is for sure, if we do not change our behavior we will eventually run out of oil. Ironically the more we are asked to pay for oil then the more economically it will be for the oil companies to drag it out from further and further inside the earth's core. It is incumbent on us all to therefore reduce our own reliance on oil based energy. Each of us can put in a little effort to use[..]
Solar Energy 2009 - The Year in Review
2008 was a bumper year for solar energy, despite the recession sinking its teeth deeply into most areas of the global economy, but what about solar energy 2009? It seems like the recession may have caught up with solar energy as well, because 2009 was a bit of a down year. Not drastically so, but, still, it was the first no growth year of the decade. Here's a look at Solar Energy 2009 and what we might expect from 2010. That Was The Year That Was In 2008, it appeared that the solar energy industry was immune to the vagaries of the economic recession that was causing such grief and suffering to just about all the rest of the economy. And it was expected that that trend would continue in[..]
The growing global demand for energy has caused a steep rise in energy prices, notably for petroleum-based fuels which are the prime source of energy for most of the world's power plants, machinery, and transportation. As more and more so-called "fossil fuels" are burned to create energy, there has also been a steep rise in the emission of polluting gases around the world. Personal automobiles are the main culprit, since they produce most of the cardon dioxide (CO2) released daily into the atmosphere. CO2 is considered a "greenhouse gas," trapping heat from the sun at the surface of the earth much the way a greenhouse traps heat inside its glass walls. Biofuels are by definition any fuel[..]
Home Applications For Solar Energy
Everyone is struggling to cope up with high priced energy bill these days. Wouldn't it be nice to have an energy source that is free? Yes it is possible. Using various solar applications, we can now harness the energy from the sun and turn it into something more useful. Solar cooker - have you ever tried cooking your favorite foods without using any fire? Using a device called solar cooker, it is possible. The idea of cooking using the suns heat has already existed a long time ago. But it gained popularity just recently. Just imagine cooking any food you like all for free. The solar cooker can cook food good for five persons. You can also enjoy variety of cooking styles like broiled,[..]
Solar power homes are the most recent technological innovations in the field of engineering and science. People have long searched for new ways to live economically amidst the crisis occurring in the country. The budget allotted to pay for electricity is considerably crippling for families in the middle class, which is the majority of the general population. The answer to the recurring question of how to live cheaply, but appropriately is the construction of solar power homes. Homes powered by the sun are made achievable through the technology of solar panels. Solar panels are made out of many components which are cheap, but effective. These include photovoltaic cells, semiconductor[..]
Making the Most of Solar Energy in Solar Water...
The rising cost of energy over the last decade has made the use of solar water heating appliances increase greatly. Technology's advancements in efficiency and the decreasing cost have made solar energy possible for more homes. Solar heating units consume the energy from the sun to heat water before transferring it into the home for use. Typically, a traditional water heater will be kept as a storage area for the solar heated water, thus assuring hot water is always available but energy consumption is kept minimal. Available Water Heaters Basically, there are two variations of water heating systems: one that employs circulation and controls and one that doesn't. In order to maintain[..]
Nevada Fails to Promote Solar Energy
As the nation's capital creates legislation that is likely to transform the landscape of America from a fossil-fuel nation toward a renewable energy nation, states like Nevada - with its abundant sunshine, wide open spaces and concentrated population located in two major cities - stand to gain. Nevada has already heeded the call of renewables. Plans for two coal-fired generating plants in White Pine County - by LS Power and Nevada Energy - have been canceled. Another coal-fired plant near Mesquite hit the skids earlier in the year. Cap-and-trade, which threatens to make global warming emissions incrementally more expensive over time, is one of the bigger incentives to move away from[..]
Solar energy is a relatively young technology but it has come a long way in a short time. Residential solar panels weren't commercially available until the early 1990s and were prohibitively expensive. Since then, the price has come down a lot while the technology has improved by leaps and bounds, such that, in 2010, the future of solar has never looked brighter. Let's take a look into our solar crystal ball and see where we may be going from here. Where Are We Now? Solar energy technology has come a long way in a relatively short time. And just as well, because, with the frightening effect global warming is having on the planet and everything living here, there's never been a greater[..]
Vegas Sparkles With Solar Energy
In a plan that is less surprising than audacious, Las Vegas city fathers plan to place solar panels on top of carports at a number of city-owned and operated facilities. The $11-million plan, will reportedly cut the city's electricity costs by about $300,000 a year when completed, and generate enough electricity to supply 170 homes. The solar panels in question have a life expectancy of between 25 and 40 years (the first figure being closer to the expert's usual estimates), and the city's investment of $600,000 from a "green" building fund will reportedly be recaptured in about 15 years. The rest of the funding - $4,150,000 of Energy Efficiency Community Block Grant funds (EECBG),[..]
Solar Energy Benefits - Ways to Save Electricity
Solar energy benefits are numerous, but there's one that really stands out. In terms of cost, going solar is a very sensible idea because property owners stand to save significantly with the system, even with the additional cash outlay. And in times as financially tight as these, it's benefits like those that everyone could really use. If you are looking for ways to save electricity then solarenergy is one great saver. What's Up with Solar Energy? This technology uses arrays of photovoltaic modules to convert the energy from the light of the sun into electricity. This is the same juice that gets stored in batteries or directed into homes for use with any kind of electrical appliance.[..]
Why Should You Choose One of Your Local Solar...
There's an easy answer: Because of your money! To obtain information about solar energy in an optimal way, you need expert advice in achieving your solar requirements. The easiest way to do this is to call one of your registered local solar energy companies and make an appointment for a consultation at the place of intended operation. Usually the consultation is free of charge, because the solar company knows that there is a good business opportunity waiting. Companies from other areas are likely to charge you for their consultation. The representative of your local solar company will gather all relevant data, including obstacles such as shady hills and trees, to figure out which[..]
Photovoltaic Technology on Your Roof As The...
Solar energy or Photovoltaic technology is growing in popularity all over the world because it generates clean electricity and it can produce heat at the same time. This type of electricity comes at a lower cost and it is better for the environment. This has great advantages in a time where the price of conventional energy is rising and oil and gas become more scarce. Photovoltaic technology fills the growing need for alternative energy because it is one of the best alternative solutions. But when will it be affordable for the ordinary home owners? High Demand Lower Price As with most products the higher the demand the lower the price will be, and with photovoltaic technology that is no[..]
Solar Energy - Living in a Net Metering World
The future of solar energy is so bright that I'm not even going to use any clichés about sun glasses or what have you. I will say, however, that the full brightness can't be appreciated until you factor in the concept of net metering. There are many environmental and political reasons for going solar. This clean energy also presents us with a platform that is not reliant on coal, foreign oil or fossil fuels. It seems like a natural choice for energy production, but the cost of installing solar systems is not cheap. Fortunately, the tax incentives and favorable loan options have gone a long way to overcoming this problem. The real cherry in the pie for some people, however, is the[..]
Wind Power Systems for Your Home
Where does the wind come from? The answer is the sun. The earth is heated by the sun. This process varies from place to place depending upon the climate. However, as warmer air rises, cooler air will move in replacing it creating high and low pressure areas. When air moves from a high pressure mass to a low pressure mass, the result is wind. So, if we have sunshine we will have wind. As long as we have wind, people will develop wind power systems and find ways to harness the power of the wind. Wind power systems have been around for centuries. World explorers, like Marco Polo and Magellan, filled their sails with wind to travel around the globe. Windmills were once a popular method of[..]
This Is How Solar Energy Works
Sun is the primary source of energy in our solar system. It provides life to billions of living creatures on planet Earth. It is the source of light and provides life. The bountiful and non-exhaustive resource in the form of solar energy is free, available and omnipotent. Humans have harnessed this resource into a usable energy form and are using it to the benefit of the society. Many claim that this energy is going to replace the other form of polluting energy sources in the near future. The process for this change is an extension of human ingeniousness and a fast change of the technology since the 1970s. Historically, the sun has been the only source of energy for all living beings on[..]
The Rose Has Played an Important Role in History
Down thorough the centuries, humanity has held roses as a sacred flower, holding for it a lofty position within societies around this planet. Even so, roses are much older than humanity as a whole. Surprisingly, fossil examinations show that the rose has been in existence for 35 million years. There are over one hundred and fifty separate species of rose and these are spread all throughout the Earth's Northern Hemisphere. It is currently believed that these flowers were initially cultivated by those in China around five thousand years ago. The city of Rome is where the first gardens with roses were established and this city is the location where they came to be tied in with the nobles of[..]
Save Energy For Bright Future
It is no doubt that every family owns some electric appliance, such as TV、 PC、lighting、heating、car etc. And many of us are worrying about the power supply. If you want to reduce power burden, you'd better stop what you are doing to set up a Green DIY Energy System. Green DIY Energy System is a fabulous operating procedure which can direct you how to build your own energy system, for instance, solar panel and wind turbine, in your backyard. The main benefits of this system are as follows. Firstly, you can pay less electricity bill or even eliminate it. Secondly, it costs less than other renewable systems. Thirdly, you can complete it within a weekend and enjoy yourself in the[..]
The Uses Of Solar Energy
The Uses Of Solar Energy The earth receives more energy from the sun in seven hour than the power requirement of the world for the whole year. Solar energy is free, renewable, tidy and sustainable. They know how to harness it and they know where to use it best. Below are the different uses of solar energy. Solar energy can be used hand in hand with your current electricity provider. This is ideal to those who live in places where sunlight does not shine year round, to those who live in areas where electricity is cheap and to those who require to use solar energy as a backup to their existing source of power. The idea is that if you have 2 sources of power, you can get uninterrupted power[..]
Located in the South Eastern Cape Area and home to all of the 'Big Five' game animals, the Shamwari Game Reserve is one of the most significant wildlife centres in South Africa. Yet it wasn't always so - less than thirty years ago, the native wildlife was almost entirely eradicated. The story of the Shamwari Game Reserve is one of the most inspiring in modern conservation - the story of a rich and unique ecosystem that was brought to the brink of destruction by human interference, then restored by dedicated conservation. History Of The Reserve By the middle of the 20th century, the area that is now known as the Shamwari Game Reserve had been stripped of most of its significant wildlife.[..]
It is not commonly known but the fact is that most bees are not into communal living. With a flying lifespan of 6 - 8 weeks prior to this they spent approximately a year as pupae in a cocoon. All females of this type of species are very fertile and will lay approximately eight female and one male egg in a small burrow or tunnel. The burrows are normally in the ground, soft mortar or in wood such as the hollow of trees and reeds. The larvae spend nearly 12 months just developing in their individual cells emerging in time for spring and as the food they eat is in abundance. Males emerge first with a mission to mate immediately with any female bees they find. At this point he dies leaving[..]
What Human Rights Should Apes Have?
Rights of Apes "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness." This quotation is from the Declaration of Independence of the United States of America. The word used is 'Men' I take this to mean all Humans. Naturally, the writers of the famous document were not including animals. I would like to discus what rights should be given to Apes. They are not Human, but clearly are intelligent, self aware animals. They can pass the mirror self awareness test. If an ape sees itself in a mirror, it soon works out that it is seeing[..]
A Complete Guide to Controlling Algae With...
It is not clear when the barley straws started, but it is pretty obvious that these straws are pond owners' and fish farmers' pals. Because of its popularity, it is not new or surprising to find bales of barley straw being sold in pond centers and garden shops for use in small ponds or fountains to control algae. However, are there valid proofs or research that supports the claim? Or is it just a mere speculation from people who thought that algae were preventative cure for algae? Where it all started? The use barley straw started since the early 1990s in England. There was legend that an English farmer dropped off the bales of barley straw in a heavily algae-infested pond. After few[..]
Squirrels, while not predatory on birds at a feeder, take large quantities of food and keep the birds from feeding. Some people enjoy them as Hulett as the birds, but, if you want to keep them off the feeder, you will have to place it on a pole 6 or 7 feet above the ground and far enough away from overhanging branches or the buildings, so that they cannot jump from them to the feeder. A circular funnel-shaped metal guard, 2½ to 3 feet, in diameter, must be placed on the pole under the feeder to keep the squirrel Erma climbing the pole or jumping from the ground to the feeder. All other devices I've tried or observed have failed. When Jane's friends questioned her as to why they couldn't[..]
Pitfalls of 3rd World Farming
Farming in the 3rd world, every humanitarians dream. Employ the poor, sell to the poor for cheaper prices, save the world in a nutshell. It seems so easy, especially when coming from a western world mind set, you would think at least. Sorry to break everyone out there's dreams, but it may not be as easy as thought. We will attempt to outline some of the difficulties faced when preparing a medium scale farming operation in the 3rd world. 1. Shortage of water Without water, very few vegetables/fruits will grow. Unless you have a reliable, cost effective source, you will struggle. Water in the 3rd world is also quite expensive, specially when used in grand quantities. 2. Unskilled labor You[..]
Spanish Lessons Using Songs Make Learning...
Spanish is a very simple and popular language. It is widely spoken across the different parts of the world. If you want to learn Spanish, you can use several options to learn it. You can get Spanish lessons, which may include listening to songs for learning Spanish in a funny way. Even using the Bilingual Fun program in Spanish lessons can be a great use. People who want to learn Spanish can use Spanish songs that are very educative. They can have Spanish lessons with songs and listen to them, enjoy and learn Spanish. Parents can sing the songs with lyrics along with their children. This will encourage the children to learn Spanish with song Spanish lessons in a free and enjoyable[..]
Legume Root Nodules
The symbiotic nitrogen fixing bacterium from legume nodules. Nitrogen fixation is mediated by two microbial systems: free living microbe like the other symbiotic forms like in the former type. The organisms produce thick walls, there by producing a dormant cyst that is resistant to drying and ultraviolet radiations. The latter type establishes a mutually beneficial association with the plant roots and produces nodules on infected roots. A root nodule bacterium can be isolated from root nodules of leguminous plants by crushing the nodules and inoculating for hofer's alkaline medium which is specific for its isolation. Hofer's alkaline medium medium has the dye congo red which[..]
-- End Ad Box ---> Solar tracking systems are used to continually orient photovoltaic panels towards the sun and can help maximize your investment in your PV system. They are beneficial as the sun's position in the sky will change gradually over the course of a day and over the seasons throughout the year. Advantages to using a tracker system like this will depend mainly on it's placement in determining how well it will increase the effectiveness of the panels. They can be used most effectively in areas with low horizons and locations that are shade free from dawn to dusk each day. Throughout the year the tracking array will be able to utilize the wide open access to gain every available[..]
Nothing in our natural environment brings more beauty and performs many varied tasks at the same time like the trees. These are the woody plants, which have a trunk that supports the branches, and a vast network of roots that support the trunk. They serve a lot of purposes like beautifying our homes, landscaping the environment, providing homes for wildlife, preventing soil erosion as well as providing us with oxygen, a byproduct of the carbon dioxide they take in from the atmosphere You will find more than one hundred and twenty five varieties of the maple plants all around the world including Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America. The trees which are deciduous, except the ones[..]
Family: Cycad Genus: Cycas Species: revolute Common names: King sago palm, sago palm General Description: Sago palm is one of the most available and economical sources of food starch in the world. An international conference recently suggested the possibility of the Sago as an option for worldwide consumption as food supplies dwindle. It is very slow growing; the young plant is two to three feet tall and, outside of its native home may be found in the ground or in a pot on a patio. Since it needs sun, it does not grow well away from a window inside a building. In the tropics, the Sago Palm is found in lowland forests and freshwater swamps. It is versatile and can grow in a[..]
In spite of incursions by farmers and rebels into the parks, and a few recent poaching events, Virungas mountain gorillas are persisting as well, thanks to sustained conservation efforts by the guards and staff members within that landscape. The current total of mountain gorillas at both locations brings the worldwide tally to approximately 720 individual animals. Having gone through decades of civil war in East Africa and Central, Mountain gorillas are confronted by the distressing consequences of increased habitat loss, poaching and the spread of dangerous diseases. Although gorillas are frequently depicted as hostile, dangerous, they are really shy and calm. Park managers who have the[..]
Mule Deer Near Lake Chelan, Washington
Each year in the lower elevations of Chelan County, Washington thousands of mule deer settle in for the winter seeking better opportunities for food and warmer temperatures. So, knowing that the wildlife habitat at the Preserve is ideal winter range, I packed up my camera last March and took a hike in the hills above Entiat, Washington to see if I could get a few shots off -- photographs, that is. As it happened, good photos weren't too hard to find -- there were mule deer almost everywhere I looked. In fact, from one particular vantage point I was able to count over 100 deer! I'm quite certain there were yet another hundred or more hiding within the various gullies and draws just out of[..]
More than a million and a half species of animal have been described, and there millions more so far to be described. Animals are living organisms found in literally all of the Earth's habitats, including the depths of the oceans, the freezing Arctic, and even within other animals and plants. The animal kingdom is divided up into animals without backbones (invertebrates) which include lobsters and snails, and animals that do have backbones (vertebrates), animals like monkeys and zebras. Invertebrates make 97 per cent of all animal species. What is an animal? Animals are made up of many cells. The majority of these cells move around, and the ones that have fixed positions, or sedentary,[..]
Got Green? Why We Need Nature
In our increasingly hectic and high tech world, it turns out that a little green can go a long way toward improving our quality of life! We don't have sell out and move to a farm in the country, although I can tell you from experience it is a great way to raise kids... even something as simple as a walk in a garden can make a difference for our health. Most understand how exercise contributes to our wellness, but it's not necessarily the exercise we're missing. It's the revitalizing contact with nature and its uncomplicated demands on us. Here is how it plays out: Modern life - commuting, hectic schedules, electronics, plastics, packaging, pollutants, and lots of separation from the[..]
Rainforest Birds - Black-Cheeked Waxbill
Bird Name: Black-cheeked Waxbill Latin Name: Estrilda erythronotos Status: Least Concern Scientific Classification: Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Passeriformes Family: Estrildidae Genus: Estrilda Species: E. erythronotos General Information: The Black-cheeked Waxbill is a common species of estrildid finch found in southern Africa. Physical Description: The Black-cheeked waxbill averages 11 to 13 cm in length and weighs 7 to 19 gm. The upperparts are a smoky mauve color with the wings showing alternating bars of lighter and darker shading. The tail is black on top and grayish on the underside. The rump is a subdued red and this coloring extends just slightly on the[..]
Have you ever caught a snowflake and examined it? You will notice that it is perfectly shaped in symmetry with six corners on each one. How can this be, you ask yourself. Aren't snowflakes just frozen moisture that enters our atmosphere? Welcome to the world of Golden Proportion. Johannes Kepler, a mathematician at a school in Graz, Austria, was not one to shrug off the unknown, especially when it came to solving a constant. He was next astounded by a group of seeds that lie within a pomegranate. They didn't roll around but were in an irregular arrangement that allowed them to expand inside of the fruit. Intrigued by the symmetry of one and the loss of symmetry of another but feeling a[..]
Rainforest Plants - Shell Flower
Family: Zingiberaceae Genus: Alpinia Species: zerymbet Synonyms:Alpinia speciosa, Alpinia nutans, Costus zerumbet, Catimbium speciosum, Languas speciosa, Zerumbet speciosum Common Names: boca de dragon, colonia, de tui maux, getto, jockey club, light galangal, palo santo, pink porcelain-lily, shellflower, shell ginger, tous maux General Description: The Shell flower is a member of the ginger family that is native to western Asia. It has become an interesting garden perennial throughout the world. It is most commonly cultivated and distributed in the tropics, including Brazil, Peru, the Amazon, and the USA states of Florida, Hawaii and the territory of Puerto Rico. Location: This[..]
The High-Technology Secret of the Edelweiss
There can be few flowers as well-known as the Edelweiss, but few would think to look to this woolly white, Alpine flower for a source of technological inspiration. Now, however, scientist Jean-Pol Vigneron of the University of Namur in Belgium and his colleagues in Budapest, Meise and Stanford think they may have found just that. When the researchers investigated the micro-structure of Edelweiss flowers, last January, they were surprised to find a peculiar ultra-violet-absorbing structure in the dense white hairs, which cover the whole Edelweiss plant. The hairs are especially abundant on the modified silver-white leaves that form the Edelweiss's "flowers". Vigneron and his fellow[..]
December 21, 2009, was the Winter Solstice, also known as Yule. This is the shortest day and longest night of the year. At this time of the year, the sun is closer to the horizon, giving out the least amount of daylight. But starting tomorrow, the days will get longer, until the Summer Solstice on June 21, 2010, when the days will start getting shorter again. Solstice is from the Latin meaning "stands still". For six days around the Winter Solstice, the sun appears to stand still on the horizon. Our ancestors must have wondered if the sun would actually return. The return of the light after the longest night of the year must have seemed miraculous, which is how Winter Solstice[..]