Asperitas, also known as Undulatus asperatus, is a unique cloud formation characterized by wave-like structures in the underside of the cloud. Gavin Pretor-Pinney, the founder of the Cloud Appreciation Society, popularized it as a new cloud type in 2009. In March 2017, the International Cloud Atlas added Asperitas as a supplementary feature, making it the first cloud formation … [Read more...] about Asperitas Cloud: Definition, History of Observations, and Characteristics
Why hasn’t the sun burned out yet?
Our planet's personal space heater is incredibly efficient. Our sun is a fairly average star in the Milky Way—not the brightest, not the biggest, and only 4.5 billion years old. It’s only unique in that its light and heat sustains all the life on the only inhabited planet we know of in the universe. Luckily for us, it didn’t burn out before we showed up a … [Read more...] about Why hasn’t the sun burned out yet?
Green heron
The green heron (Butorides virescens) is a small heron of North and Central America. Butorides is from Middle Englishbutor"bittern" and Ancient Greek-oides, "resembling", and virescens is Latin for "greenish". It was long considered conspecific with its sister species the striated heron (Butorides striata), and together they were called "green-backed heron". Birds of the … [Read more...] about Green heron
Gentianella Hirculus: The Beautiful and Endangered Gentian of the Andes
The Gentianella Hirculus is a beautiful and unique species of gentian that can be found in the high-altitude humid páramo of southern Ecuador. Its scientific name, Gentianella hirculus (Griseb.) Fabris, is derived from its association with the gentian family, Gentianaceae Juss. This biennial to perennial herb is known for its cushion-like growths, which can reach up to 10 … [Read more...] about Gentianella Hirculus: The Beautiful and Endangered Gentian of the Andes
Unveiling the Mystery of the ‘Pants’ Arch in Canada’s Arctic
A Mysterious ‘Pants’ Arch in Nunavut, Canada has been the subject of much intrigue and disbelief since a photo of it surfaced on social media. The arch, called “Qarlinngua,” is a massive rock formation that stands tall and proud in a pool of saltwater on the north end of Baffin Island, in an uninhabited area of the Brodeur Peninsula. The formation has been described as … [Read more...] about Unveiling the Mystery of the ‘Pants’ Arch in Canada’s Arctic