Month: February 2019

Terror Birds

Phorusrhacids, commonly known as “terror birds” because of their role as apex predators, were large, carnivorous, flightless birds that roamed S America during the Cenozoic era, from about 62 million to 2 million years ago. They are believed to have migrated to N America when the Isthmus of Panama formed, bridging the formerly separated continents. The birds ranged in height from about 3 to 10 ft (1 to 3 m) and were likely fast runners. What are thought to be their closest modern-day relatives? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Kamakura Matsuri

Kamakura Matsuri is held in northern Japan in the Akita Prefecture, at the time of year when there is usually deep snow on the ground. In Yokote and other towns of the region, children build Kamakura, snow houses that resemble igloos. They furnish the huts with tatami mats and a wooden altar dedicated to Suijin-sama and have parties in them, while families gather to drink sweet sake and eat rice cakes and fruits. The rice cakes are made in the shape of cranes and turtles, traditional symbols of longevity, and of dogs called inukko, thought to guard against devils. Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Sigurd

Sigurd is a hero of German and Old Norse mythology noted for his strength and courage. He is one of the heroes of the Poetic Edda, the epic poem Nibelungenlied, where he is known as Siegfried, and Wagner’s operatic tetralogy The Ring of the Nibelung. He figures in many different and sometimes inconsistent legends and is said to have slain a dragon, won an accursed hoard of gold, and married a princess. What parallels can be drawn between Sigurd and the Greek hero Achilles? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Great Backyard Bird Count

The Great Backyard Bird Count takes place every year over four days in mid-February throughout the United States and Canada. Volunteers of all ages and experience, known as “citizen scientists,” spend at least 15 minutes counting birds from any location. Then they report the number of birds and species they have seen via the Internet. This gives scientists a real-time portrait of which birds are where in North America. The event was launched in 1998 by the National Audubon Society and the Cornell University Ornithology Lab. Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

It’s Raining Cats and Dogs!

Although it is a rare phenomenon, the occurrence of animals “raining” from the sky has been reported many times throughout history. One hypothesis often proposed to explain this phenomenon is that strong winds traveling over bodies of water sometimes pick up aquatic animals, such as fish or frogs, and carry them for up to several miles, finally depositing them on land. However, this phenomenon has never been witnessed or scientifically tested. What are some other possible explanations? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Frederick Douglass Day

Each year on February 14, Frederick Douglass‘s birthday is commemorated with a ceremony at the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site in Washington, D.C. The event features speakers on human rights, recitations of excerpts from Douglass’s speeches, music performances, and a wreath-laying ceremony. Activities, including lectures, readings from his works, and film presentations about his life, are also planned in New Bedford, in Rochester, N.Y., where Douglass’s grave is located, and in many other locations throughout the country. Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Holography

Holography is the method of producing a three-dimensional image, called a hologram. A hologram is created by first splitting a laser beam. Half the beam is recorded on a plate, unaltered, and the other half is recorded after it is reflected off the object being imaged. On the recording plate, the two systems of light waves reinforce or neutralize one another, creating an interference pattern that, when illuminated by light of the same frequency, produces a hologram. Who invented holography? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary