With Mother's Day on the horizon, we've become a tad sentimental about how amazing mothers are. Check out the squee-inducing evidence that motherhood knows no (species) bounds.
A cat nurses baby squirrels:
A monkey bottle-feeding a tiger:
The Big Bang, the current theory behind the universe's existence, kind of sounds like a spaceship descending alongside you and hovering overhead -- or maybe a protracted electronic whoopee cushion.
Physics professor John G. Cramer of the University of Washington in Seattle originally created an aural interpretation of the Big Bang a decade ago, according to the university. (The 2003 version sounds like a sound effect from '60s-era Star Trek.)
Armed with data from the European Space Agency's Planck mission, which currently maps relic radiation from the Big Bang, Cramer produced the latest audio rendition of our universe's infancy. The data's higher frequency spectrum gave Cramer a more accurate representation of the expanding universe, which he likens to the sound of a bass.
"The expanding universe 'stretches' the sound wavelengths and thereby lowers their frequencies," Cramer writes. "To account for this effect, the program shifts the waves downward in frequency to follow the expansion in the first 760 thousand years of the universe."
Hear the Big Bang rendering as 20-, 50-, 100-, 200-, or 500-second recordings on Cramer's UW site. Cramer recommends listening to the 100-second version.
About 70% of this planet's surface is water. If that's not reason enough to spend some time this spring having liquid fun, this season's slew of innovations might be.
Get both a whitewater kayak and a flatwater tourer in the WAVE SPORT Ethos. Available in 9- and 10-foot lengths (we tested the 10-foot on an overnighter on Utah's Green River), it handles touring, easy surf, and up to Class III rapids. Deploy the drop-down skeg for touring or pull it up for whitewater. There's a roomy cockpit, ample storage space, and hinged hip pads that fold up into a carrying cushion for your shoulder. $999
The 17-foot, 5-inch fiberglass Koru from OLD TOWN CANOE is a masterful blend of function and art — the same elegant features that made it a classic hunting canoe back in the day have been revamped for recreational use. An extended waterline makes for efficient padding, while a shallow arch hull adds stability. This 60-pound craft worked well in the Colorado River's light waves and flats. $2,300
Continue reading "Observing Highlights for May: A Rare Planetary Trio" »
Sun worshippers,
rejoice: balmier days mean that beach weather is just around the corner. Time
to dust off that swimsuit, sling on those sandals, and slather on some sunscreen.
A day at the beach needn’t be just another day at the beach, though. As glorious as an afternoon nap on the shore might feel, why not surprise your senses this summer? Get ready for steamy shoreline pools and Technicolor sands, and cross these beautifully bizarre beaches off your bucket list.
Pink Sands Beach, Harbour Island, Bahamas
This three-mile confection of a beach gets its cotton candy color from white sand mixing with the red shells of a class of single-celled organisms called Foraminifera. Waves, or sometimes fish, loosen Foraminifera from their dwellings on the underside of reefs, on the sea floor, and inside caves, causing them to wash ashore. Coral reefs provide calm, shallow waters perfect for snorkeling and swimming. Pink shores aren’t unique to Harbour Island, though—you can find similarly colored beaches in Scotland, Puerto Rico, Bermuda, and the Philippines.
Image by istockPhoto/zxvisual
Earlier this month, we indulged thrill-seeking travelers with sky-high treehouses and treacherous trails. Today on Explore, test your bravery -- and your balance -- with these five stomach-churning bridges. (Just don't look down.)
Qeswachaka Bridge, Peru
Suspended more than 30 feet above the Apurimac River, roughly 60 miles from Cuzco, Qeswachaka bridge is the last of the vast network of bridges that crisscrossed the Inca empire. They fell, along with the empire, in the 16th century, but indigenous Andeans continued to pass down their bridge building knowledge to future generations.
Since the Qeswachaka bridge fibers fray easily, every year or two in June, hundreds of people from various Andean communities gather for the rebuilding ceremony, where they weave blades of Qoya grass into six long cables, securing them at each edge of the ravine with eucalyptus trunks. Thanks to their communal effort, constructing the 120-foot long bridge takes only three days.
The locals celebrate the bridge’s completion with food and dancing. Even with a modern metal bridge just upstream, they form a long line at the handwoven Qeswachaka bridge, which is just wide enough for them to cross single file.
The country’s 1.9 million military children face the same challenges—among a slew of others.
Military children move and change schools frequently, making new friends each time. Most stressful of all, they’re separated from a parent who may be in danger thousands of miles away.
This April, celebrate Earth Day and the Month of the Military Child with the Sierra Club. To honor the unique service of our nation’s littlest heroes, the Celebration of the Military Child Outdoors will connect them with the lands they and their families protect. As part of the Club's Get Out! Earth Day campaign, cities across the country are hosting events this weekend where military children and their families can spend a day enjoying and exploring public lands. They’ll get to hike, cast a fly rod, pitch tents, and more.
How can you celebrate military children this Earth Day? Check out the Sierra Club’s Celebration of the Military Child Outdoors event listing.
Continue reading "Get Out! Celebrate Our Nation's Littlest Heroes" »
What better way to celebrate Mother Earth, than to spend some time appreciating all the beauty that she has to offer. Picture yourself walking along sandy white beaches, watching sunsets from a sea cliff view, kayaking over crystal blue waves, or snorkeling with some of the world's most exquisite aquatic life. Yes, this could be you! If you're our sweepstakes winner, a trip to Lanai, Hawaii won't be the stuff of dreams.
As part of our Get Out! Earth Day campaign, The Sierra Club is hosting a Getaway Sweepstakes for a chance to win a trip for two to the breathtaking islands of Hawaii. Winners will be awarded a five-night stay at the Four Season Resort Lanai at Manele Bay, which is just about as close to paradise as it gets.
And trust us, packing won't be a problem. The grand prize also includes a $500 shopping spree at Gramicci.com, where you can stock up on some free spirited, uber comfortable outdoor attire to keep you styling throughout your stay.
The runner up will be awarded $100 in Kiss My Face's natural, effective and cruelty-free personal care products, as well as $100 in products from Sawyer, the leader in protection against sun, bugs, water and injuries.
Ready to make this trip to paradise happen? Enter your name and email address and you could be on your way to winning the vacation of a lifetime!
--image by istockphoto/SDbT
Read More:
Boots that no longer blaze trails, backpacks too uncool for school, camp stoves that haven't had that fire kindled in years — now is their time.
Dust off the forgotten denizens of your storage closet and get a spring cleaning/planet saving two-for-one by donating outdoor gear to your local Sierra Club chapter.
The Club's coast-to-coast celebration of the upcoming Earth Day includes Re/Play, a list of locations where you can donate gently used outdoor gear and apparel to the Sierra Club. (See ya, The Little Mermaid sleeping bag and early-‘90s fanny pack.)
Donated items will be sold through eBay, with proceeds benefiting The Sierra Club Foundation's work to encourage further planetary exploration, protection, and enjoyment.
The Re/Play campaign also includes the option of donating a portion of personal eBay sales.
READ MORE:
Our Mr. Green talks clothes donations
--image courtesy of istockphoto/zhudifeng
A Hawaiian hike with Kate from Lost and a SoCal skate sesh with Tony Hawk is the stuff of LiveJournal fanfic and workday-slump daydreams.
The Sierra Club's Earth Day “Get Out!” campaign includes eBay auctions for items like a hike with Kate actress Evangeline Lilly and a meet-and-skate with Hawk (which also includes a signed skate deck).
Other offerings include four VIP tickets to a Jimmy Kimmel Live! taping and a meet-and-greet at a Jason Mraz concert. (Look for an interview with Mraz in an upcoming issue of Sierra.) Our favorite item: two front-row seats to the "MythBusters Behind the Myths Tour."
With some auctions closing Monday night, that Earth Day to-do list might include a little computer time. More items, though, will post this week through April 28.
Look out for a nursery makeover with actress and The Honest Company co-founder Jessica Alba, face time with Tae Bo inventor Billy Blanks, and a cutting board signed by Parks and Recreation's Nick Offerman. All proceeds benefit The Sierra Club Foundation's work to inspire more exploring, enjoying and protecting of our planet.
This month, at least, facing the sobering realities of climate change doesn’t exclude a little fun.
READ MORE:
Esperanza Spalding inspires, gets Johnny Cash stuck in our heads
Eva Longoria talks pesticides and changing the world one day at a time
Jessica Alba on toxic chemicals and Craigslist shopping
--image courtesy of istockphoto/sweetlifephotos
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