Month: August 2018

10 Colossal Facts About the Gas Giant Planet Jupiter [Infographic]

The gas giant known as Jupiter is the largest planet in our solar system. Other interesting facts include its 79 moons, weather patterns and huge auroras.

Why Watersheds Are Like Upside-Down Umbrellas

When it rains, water zig-zags all the way through a tributary system to a river or lake. Like an upside-down umbrella, a watershed catches all rain water.

What Causes Ocean Tides?

When the moon is close to Earth, its gravitational pull stretches the side it’s facing. Because oceans hold a set amount of water, levels rise in one area.

How Was the Grand Canyon Formed?

Like a stack of pancakes, younger rock layers pile on top of older layers. We use the law of superposition to reveal Earth’s age and Grand Canyon geology.

9 Facts About the Moon

Earth’s moon was formed at the same time that Earth did. Interesting moon facts include its gravity is 1/6 of Earth and temperature range of -173°C to 127°C

How Did the Moon Form?

The giant impact hypothesis models the formation of our moon. It starts with a Mars-sized object hitting Earth. This object (moon) still remains in orbit.

Ozone Layer: Earth’s Protective Shield Has a Hole In It

What makes Earth unique is its ozone layer. Ozone is a colorless gas made up of three oxygen atoms which protects us from harmful UV radiation from the sun.

What is Magnetic Reconnection in the Magnetosphere?

Charged particles or plasma makes up about 99% of the universe. Magnetic reconnection involves how this plasma interacts with magnetic fields (like Earth’s)

How Much Space Junk Orbits Earth? [Infographic]

There is over 5500 tons of space junk above Earth’s surface. They mostly consist of small and medium debris within 700 – 36,000 km range in the atmosphere.

5 Facts About the Sun [Infographic]

Today, we’re exploring facts about the sun. First, you have to realize the enormous size of the sun. It’s so big that nearly 1300 Jupiters can fit the sun!

Aurora Borealis Facts: How the Northern Lights Work

During magnetic storms, trapped plasma flashes lights that are observable around the globe. This disturbance in the magnetosphere is the Aurora Borealis.

A Beginner’s Guide to Earth Magnetic Field

The magnetic field gives us a layer out in space called the magnetosphere. Without it, Earth would be exposed to solar and cosmic radiation.

The Cenozoic Era: From Dinosaur Extinction to Human Evolution

The Cenozoic Era started with the extinction of dinosaurs and moved into the age of mammals.This led to the diversification and increase in size of mammals.

Was the Late Heavy Bombardment a Violent Stage in Earth’s History?

At the end of the Hadean Eon, the Earth was in the late bombardment stage. Earth and the entire solar system was pelted by asteroids, comets and objects.

The History of the Universe: The Big Bang and Beyond [Infographic]

What’s the history of the universe? Follow us on a journey that starts with the Big Bang. All the way to the formation of stars, galaxies and eventually us.