Did you know that 25% of Americans do not know that the earth orbits the sun? This finding is from a recent NSF survey on scientific literacy.
Ref: Discovery News via Maggie’s Farm.
I could not find that survey, but I did find this one from the PEW Research Center.
How did you do?
What happens when you mix any two of the seven deadly sins? Jessica Hagy has worked it out above.
On February 18, 1930, Clyde W. Tombaugh, an assistant at the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona, discovered Pluto. For over seven decades, Pluto was considered the ninth planet of our solar system.
Now we know that is not the case.
This video was made by C G P Grey.
Pluto may not be a planet (one less object to memorize in elementary science class!), but it is the basis for some interesting tattoos:
That’s Pluto up there at the top.
Still mourning the fact that Pluto is not a planet? As Neil deGrasse Tyson says, “Get over it!”
I love this kid.
On Saturday, February 8, the Hampton Roads Naval Museum in Norfolk, Virginia, held its annual LEGO- shipbuilding contest. Read more about it at the Military Times Scoopdeck.
It looks like a wonderful time was had by all competitors – there were adult categories, as well as kids. The children are just cuter.
Here’s a fellow whose interests are close to Anne Bonney’s h-arrgh-t!
I was not able to participate this year, but who knows, maybe next year.
I love these space-time travelogues and this one by the American Museum of Natural History is particularly well done.
Happy Valentine’s Day – hope nobody bugs you.
The “Sherlock” collection design was created as part of the Lego CUUSOO project, which allows fans to share concepts in the hopes of getting official Lego approval. “Sherlock,” submitted by a user called Flailx, is one of six Lego Review qualifiers for the Winter 2014 slot. Having received support from more than 10,000 Lego fans, the “Sherlock” project is now being reviewed by the company’s designers and product managers.
Thank you, Robb for the link and the continuing cultural enlightenment.
And the tattoos:
I hesitated putting the following one in because at first glance it looks like, you know, but it’s not.
Today is King Frost Day – which harkens back to the Little Ice Age when temperatures in northern hemisphere, at least, were below normal. This led to freezing in areas such as London, which were not normally so affected by the deep cold of winter. Frost fairs were held that are reminiscent of other modern and ancient festivals held in the depth of winter. These gatherings provided activity and entertainment, yet were probably rooted in other ancient festivals that marked not so much the long nights of winter as at the Solstice, but the hope that the warmth of the sun would not be too long in returning.
Today (February 4th) is King Frost Day, when the people of London used to celebrate the harbinger of the winter freeze by holding frost fairs on the frozen River Thames. Before embankment, when the river was wider and therefore flowed much slower, it would freeze in winter. Between the 15th century and early 19th century – a period known as the Little Ice Age – temperatures were much lower than they are now, and, during the Great Frost of 1683–84 (the worst recorded in England), the Thames was completely frozen for two months, with the ice reaching a thickness of 11 inches. People could easily walk from one side of the river to the other.
These are my frost photos from this morning:
Here are some frosty tattoos:
Sappy (Not)Cat Blogging from ritaLOVEStoWRITE. Go to her site and see more.
Firearms, fibers, any news or behaviors that make me say, "hmm, let me take another look at this."
I still miss my man, but my aim is getting better.
Gunsmoke and Knitting 