When the Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System opened in California’s Mojave Desert in 2014, it was hailed as a monumental achievement – the largest concentrated solar power (CSP) facility of its kind in the world. Backed by a $1.6 billion federal loan guarantee and involving tech giants like Google, the $2.2 billion project was meant...
Crabs are more diverse than most people think. The most well-known ones include the red king crab, brown crab, Dungeness crab, and Mud crab because they appear in popular seafood cuisine. However, crabs can come in a wide variety of colors, sizes, and shapes. The largest is the Japanese spider crab, with claws measuring up...
There was a time when man could only dream of walking on the moon. However, that all changed on the 16th of July, 1969, when Apollo 11 first took humans to the moon. Now, Elon Musk wants humans to take their first steps on Mars in the next decade. He is not alone in this...
On the far south-eastern edge of Western Australia, a group of partners is planning to build something massive: the Western Green Energy Hub (WGEH). Picture a huge clean-energy estate on the world’s largest single exposure of limestone bedrock, called the Nullarbor. There, the constant wind and hot sun are harnessed to create “green” hydrogen and...
Caterpillars have the reputation of being harmless larvae who have yet to become butterflies and moths. But don’t underestimate these partially developed creatures. They come with their own unique biology, including defenses against predators. This includes camouflage, foul-smelling repellents, and venom. However, their arsenal is not reserved for hungry birds, reptiles, amphibians, and larger insects....
In many parts of the world, speaking out against the government isn’t just risky, it can land you behind bars. Around the globe, authoritarian governments and regimes along with strict legal systems criminalize criticism, using laws that punish dissent, insult, or defamation of state leaders. From harsh jail sentences to hefty fines, these 16 countries...
Most of us have looked at a map at some point, but recognizing a country by its outline is a different challenge entirely. Some shapes are instantly recognizable, while others leave even experienced travelers scratching their heads. This geography quiz is designed to test how sharp your geography skills really are. Some are obvious, others...
The sun is very active right now, currently surging toward the peak of Solar Cycle 25. During these cycles, solar storms happen more regularly and with greater force than usual. Newly released data indicate that these storms are puffing up the upper atmosphere of our planet. When this occurs, it creates extra drag on objects...
Most people assume diamond hunting requires industrial machinery, deep shafts, and corporate backing. But tucked away in the rolling hills of Arkansas sits a unique exception. At Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro, visitors can walk into a field with nothing but a shovel and walk out with genuine diamonds in their pockets. America’s...
California manages a massive network of canals spanning nearly 4,000 miles in total, supplying water throughout the state. With promising new prospects on the riverbank, these canals could become a source of renewable power for the state. Project Nexus, a pilot initiative funded by California’s government in partnership with Solar AquaGrid, the Turlock Irrigation District,...
In 2014, the story of a castaway fisherman who survived more than a year at sea captivated the world. Jose Alvarenga, a Salvadoran native, washed up on the Pacific atoll after being at sea for 13 months. His tale of survival at sea made him a symbol of human resilience. But unfortunately, Alvarenga’s tale of...
In October 2019, The Ocean Cleanup project made headlines around the world when its prototype vessel started collecting plastic from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. This launch followed a year of challenges and constant redesigns. Since then, the organization has grown, and the vessel has undergone several new iterations. Their first new design was called...
