Public art displays large enough to be seen from space have been created at 18 locations worldwide in the run-up to the United Nations climate change talks in Cancún, Mexico.
Among them is a giant scarab beetle in the desert near Cairo, Egypt. The scarab represents rebirth and regeneration in Egyptian mythology: as it pushes its ball – the sun – across the sky, it causes the cycle of night and day. Organisers chose this design to represent our relationship to this "abundant source of clean energy".
The art project, 350 Earth, calls for a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions from the current 380 parts per million to a more sustainable 350.
Monday 29 November 2010
Tuesday 23 November 2010
Human Rights Day
Human Rights Day 10 December 2010
The theme is human rights defenders who act to end discrimination.
The theme is human rights defenders who act to end discrimination.
Sunday 1 August 2010
Perseid meteor shower
Perseid meteor shower - coming soon
11-14 August
http://meteorwatch.org
http://bit.ly/byMOxl
11-14 August
http://meteorwatch.org
http://bit.ly/byMOxl
Friday 11 June 2010
Cosmic Cross
From Friday 25 June, a rare alignment of Pluto, Uranus, Saturn, Jupiter and Mars is due to form a "grand cross" pattern, which in astrological terms is said to signify a time of intense and dramatic change worldwide.
Friday 7 May 2010
Top ten travel experiences
Helicopter ride through the Grand Canyon
Cruise along the Nile
Treasures of Tutankhamun, Cairo Museum
Chichen Itza, Mexico - outstanding example of a Mayan pyramid
Geysers, hot lakes and bubbling mud pools in Rotorua, New Zealand
Sipping a drink from a coconut shell in Sunda Kelapa, Indonesia
On safari in South Africa.
Museo Del Oro, Bogota, an impressive collection of pre-Columbian gold ornaments
Coral Sands, Harbour Island, Bahamas – beautiful beach with a hint of pink
Christmas in Las Vegas, dancing fountains at the Bellagio: somehow the glitz seems more acceptable at that time of year.
These are a few of my favourites
Cruise along the Nile
Treasures of Tutankhamun, Cairo Museum
Chichen Itza, Mexico - outstanding example of a Mayan pyramid
Geysers, hot lakes and bubbling mud pools in Rotorua, New Zealand
Sipping a drink from a coconut shell in Sunda Kelapa, Indonesia
On safari in South Africa.
Museo Del Oro, Bogota, an impressive collection of pre-Columbian gold ornaments
Coral Sands, Harbour Island, Bahamas – beautiful beach with a hint of pink
Christmas in Las Vegas, dancing fountains at the Bellagio: somehow the glitz seems more acceptable at that time of year.
These are a few of my favourites
(not necessarily in order)
What are yours?
Wednesday 21 April 2010
Ancient sites in Dartmoor share features with Stonehenge
Nine megalithic sites in a remote part of Dartmoor (England), share features in common with Stonehenge, and may shed light on the meaning behind these prehistoric stone monuments, according to a report in the latest issue of British Archaeology.
The Dartmoor megaliths were recently carbon-dated to around 3500 BCE, which could predate Stonehenge, and both sites feature large standing stones that are aligned to mark the rising of the midsummer sun and the setting of the midwinter sun.
The Dartmoor stones, described in a separate study in the journal Antiquity, are now lying flat, having fallen over. (Or were they pushed?)The examination of peat above and the below the stones enabled the carbon dating, which is extremely rare for such monuments.
The Dartmoor megaliths were recently carbon-dated to around 3500 BCE, which could predate Stonehenge, and both sites feature large standing stones that are aligned to mark the rising of the midsummer sun and the setting of the midwinter sun.
The Dartmoor stones, described in a separate study in the journal Antiquity, are now lying flat, having fallen over. (Or were they pushed?)The examination of peat above and the below the stones enabled the carbon dating, which is extremely rare for such monuments.
Tuesday 23 March 2010
Earth Hour
This Saturday (27th March) lights will be dimmed for Earth Hour (from 8.30pm)
Buildings will switch off in support of the initiative to raise awareness of climate change and energy issues.
In London, participants include the London Eye, Big Ben, Canary Wharf and the Gherkin.
Buildings will switch off in support of the initiative to raise awareness of climate change and energy issues.
In London, participants include the London Eye, Big Ben, Canary Wharf and the Gherkin.
Saturday 13 March 2010
British Tourism Week
To mark British Tourism Week, volunteers illuminated Hadrian's Wall with a 'line of light'
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/8565759.stm
www.britishtourismweek.com
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/8565759.stm
www.britishtourismweek.com
Monday 8 March 2010
International Women's Day
International Women's Day
International Women's Day (8 March) is a global day celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future.
www.internationalwomensday.com
International Women's Day (8 March) is a global day celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future.
www.internationalwomensday.com
Tuesday 2 March 2010
World Book Day
World Book Day is on Thursday 4 March.
Numerous events to do with books.
www.worldbookday.com
Numerous events to do with books.
www.worldbookday.com
Thursday 18 February 2010
UFO Files released
Saucers, cigars and Toblerones are among the shapes of UFO's which were reported around the UK from 1994 - 2000, according to information released by the Ministry of Defence.
http://ufos.nationalarchives.gov.uk/
http://ufos.nationalarchives.gov.uk/
Monday 15 February 2010
Pancake Day
Shrove Tuesday, or Pancake Day, in the UK falls on 16 February.
This is the last day before Ash Wedensday and the start of Lent, a time of fasting or abstinence in the Christian calendar, leading up to Easter Sunday.
This was traditionally the last chance to use up rich foods whioh people would give up for Lent, such as eggs or dairy produce - the main ingredients of pancakes.
Sprinkle with sugar and a squeeze of lemon and enjoy.
This is the last day before Ash Wedensday and the start of Lent, a time of fasting or abstinence in the Christian calendar, leading up to Easter Sunday.
This was traditionally the last chance to use up rich foods whioh people would give up for Lent, such as eggs or dairy produce - the main ingredients of pancakes.
Sprinkle with sugar and a squeeze of lemon and enjoy.
Sunday 14 February 2010
What a little bird tells you on Valentine's Day
A guide to folklore about birds sighted on Valentine's Day has been compiled by Worcestershire County Council. Traditionally, the first bird that single women saw on 14 February was meant to foretell their future relationship.
Dove: a happy and loving marriage
Duck: a homely but stable relationship
Blackbird: a partner involved in charitable or spiritual work
Robin: a man who earns his living through water – a naval officer or fisherman
Sparrow: someone who works with the land, such as a farmer or gardener
Woodpecker: no marriage will take place
Gull: someone who travels for work
Birds of prey: a businessman, politician or leader
Goldfinch: a man of means
Pigeon: "homing": will eventually return to the place he grew up.
Kingfisher: well-to-do, inherited wealth
Dove: a happy and loving marriage
Duck: a homely but stable relationship
Blackbird: a partner involved in charitable or spiritual work
Robin: a man who earns his living through water – a naval officer or fisherman
Sparrow: someone who works with the land, such as a farmer or gardener
Woodpecker: no marriage will take place
Gull: someone who travels for work
Birds of prey: a businessman, politician or leader
Goldfinch: a man of means
Pigeon: "homing": will eventually return to the place he grew up.
Kingfisher: well-to-do, inherited wealth
Saturday 13 February 2010
Valentine's Day and Chinese New Year
The Chinese New Year - Year of the Tiger - falls on February 14 - Valentine's Day.
The tiger symbolises courage and power.
The tiger symbolises courage and power.
Friday 12 February 2010
Darwin Day
Darwin's birthday is today February 12.
Darwin Day was set up with the aim of encouraging institutions worldwide, such as schools, colleges and universities, libraries, museums, other organizations and individuals to celebrate science and humanity every year on this day.
Darwin Day was set up with the aim of encouraging institutions worldwide, such as schools, colleges and universities, libraries, museums, other organizations and individuals to celebrate science and humanity every year on this day.
Thursday 7 January 2010
White Dwarf
A massive white dwarf star in the Milky Way — long overdue for its next periodic eruption — is closer to our solar system than previously thought and could threaten the Earth.
The latest observations of the white dwarf are giving scientists a better understanding of this potential supernova, as reported at the 215th meeting of the American Astronomical Society.
The star is in a binary system called T Pyxidis, located in the Southern Hemisphere constellation Pyxis ("The Compass Box"). Researchers found that this is only 3,260 light-years from our solar system – much closer than previously thought. (A light-year is the distance that light travels in a year, or about 6 trillion miles.)
The new findings suggest the white dwarf, considered close to us by cosmic standards, might eventually go supernova. Gamma radiation emissions could threaten the Earth with an energy equivalent to 1,000 simultaneous solar flares.
http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/100104-aas-close-supernova.html
The latest observations of the white dwarf are giving scientists a better understanding of this potential supernova, as reported at the 215th meeting of the American Astronomical Society.
The star is in a binary system called T Pyxidis, located in the Southern Hemisphere constellation Pyxis ("The Compass Box"). Researchers found that this is only 3,260 light-years from our solar system – much closer than previously thought. (A light-year is the distance that light travels in a year, or about 6 trillion miles.)
The new findings suggest the white dwarf, considered close to us by cosmic standards, might eventually go supernova. Gamma radiation emissions could threaten the Earth with an energy equivalent to 1,000 simultaneous solar flares.
http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/100104-aas-close-supernova.html
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