Articles

LUCA: Last Universal Common Ancestor

All living things originated from a common ancestor called the last universal common ancestor (LUCA). The origin of life existed before LUCA (3.5 – 4.1 bya)

Sun Fusion: How the Sun Heats Up Earth

Fusion reactions power the sun. By fusing hydrogen to helium, the sun releases vast amounts of energy towards Earth. Then, sun fusion reaction heats Earth.

What is Net Primary Productivity for Earth?

The Earth breathes. We gauge Earth net primary productivity by how much carbon dioxide plants absorb from the atmosphere minus how much it respires.

Planet Formation and the Core Accretion Theory

We use the core accretion model to describe planet formation and the creation of our solar system which includes a central star and natural orbiting objects.

Earth Tilt: 23.5 Degrees Axis

Imagine sticking a pencil into the Earth’s poles and twisting your wrist 23.5°. This is the Earth tilt essential in seasonal patterns, climate and life on Earth.

The Dinosaur Era: When Dinosaurs Dominated

If you rewind the clock 230 million years back, dinosaurs dominated the land. Not just for a short span of time. But they lived for over 175 million years!

Mountain Building: How Mountains are Made

When convergent plates collide, the lithosphere thrusts upwards. This geologic process of vertical upheaving are orogenies or mountain building events.

African Plate and the East African Rift Zone

The African major plate contains all of Africa as well as the surrounding oceanic crust of the Atlantic Ocean. It moves at an average rate of 2.5 cm per year.

What Happened in the Archean Eon? [4.0 to 2.5 billion years ago]

Earth formed a stable climate in the Archean Eon. Because it cooled down from its molten state, Earth was able to support oceans, continents and oxygenation

Density of Earth: What is the Earth Made Of?

Earth density steadily increases as you go inwards from the crust to core. If you average density throughout the whole planet, it is about 5.513 g/cm^3.

What Do Soil Scientists Do?

Soil scientists study how soils relate as a natural resource. This includes soil formation factors, classification, physical and chemical properties.

Fossil Records: A Journey into the Past

When you unveil a fossil, it’s like rewinding into the past. Fossils are preserved remains from past living things such as bones, shells or exoskeletons.

10 Planet Venus Facts [Infographic]

Planet Venus neighbors the Earth. It’s the second planet closest the sun. Other facts include its counterclockwise rotation and how it rains sulfuric acid.

Carbon Dating: How Radioactive Isotopes Estimate Age

All life contains types of carbon. When an organism dies, carbon dating examines the ratio between carbon-14 (C14) and carbon-12 (C12) to estimate age.

Photosynthesis Process: Carbon Dioxide to Glucose

The main idea of photosynthesis is it takes carbon dioxide from the air. Then, it uses carbon with water to convert it into a chemical form like glucose