Carl Sagan – Pale Blue Dot

Jelly-like animals of the Arctic depths

See the rest on BBC News

NASA captures atmospheric shock-wave during an eruption

A fortuitous orbit of the International Space Station allowed the astronauts this striking view of Sarychev Volcano (Kuril Islands, northeast of Japan) in an early stage of eruption on June 12, 2009.

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This detailed astronaut photograph is exciting to volcanologists because it captures several phenomena that occur during the earliest stages of an explosive volcanic eruption. The main column is one of a series of plumes that rose above Matua Island on June 12. The plume appears to be a combination of brown ash and white steam. The vigorously rising plume gives the steam a bubble-like appearance. The eruption cleared a circle in the cloud deck. The clearing may result from the shockwave from the eruption or from sinking air around the eruption plume: as the plume rises, air flows down around the sides like water flowing off the back of a surfacing dolphin. As air sinks, it tends to warm and expand; clouds in the air evaporate.

Via Nasa Earth Observatory

Biomimicry and zero-carbon building

A brilliant zero-carbon building proposal that could potentially generate income and rejuvenate a former landfill site.

Take a ride on the Space Shuttle Atlantis

Video shot from cameras mounted on the SRBs (Solid Rocket Boosters) on the Space Shuttle Atlantis, from takeoff to detachment to splashdown. Multiple angles, some with sound. Simply amazing. Takeoff at 5:05, 5:15, 5:22. A truly beautiful view of the Earth at 24:53.