• ES Picture of the Day 27 2022

    From Dan Richter@1:317/3 to All on Wed Apr 27 12:01:28 2022
    EPOD - a service of USRA

    The Earth Science Picture of the Day (EPOD) highlights the diverse processes and phenomena which shape our planet and our lives. EPOD will collect and archive photos, imagery, graphics, and artwork with short explanatory
    captions and links exemplifying features within the Earth system. The
    community is invited to contribute digital imagery, short captions and
    relevant links.


    Running Man

    April 27, 2022


    Running_Man

    Photographer: Greg Parker:
    Summary Author: Greg Parker; Jim Foster
    This nebulous, heavy-armed running man looks like he’s in a full
    sprint mode, possibly trying to escape the pull of his own gravity.
    Observed here from the New Forest Observatory in Brockenhurst,
    Hampshire, U.K, the Running Man Nebula, some 1,300 light years
    away, was first discovered in 1786 by William Herschel. He’s made
    up of three separate nebulas associated with the Great Nebula ( M
    42) in the constellation of Orion. His reddened form is a result of
    faint red emission from hydrogen atoms, outlined in blue by a
    reflection nebula that reflects the light of relatively close by,
    young blue stars. Photo taken in January 2022.
    * Brockenhurst, Hampshire, U.K. Coordinates: 50.819444, -1.59

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    Night Sky Links

    * Space Weather Live
    * Space Weather Live Forum
    * About the Moon
    * American Meteor Society
    * Arbeitskreises Meteore e.V.
    * Global City Lights
    * Heavens Above Home Page
    * The International Meteor Organization
    * Lunar and Planetary Institute
    * MoonConnection
    * NASA Eclipse Web Page
    * Understanding The Moon Phases

    -
    Earth Science Picture of the Day is a service of the Universities
    Space Research Association.

    https://epod.usra.edu

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  • From Dan Richter@1:317/3 to All on Fri May 27 12:00:32 2022
    EPOD - a service of USRA

    The Earth Science Picture of the Day (EPOD) highlights the diverse processes and phenomena which shape our planet and our lives. EPOD will collect and archive photos, imagery, graphics, and artwork with short explanatory
    captions and links exemplifying features within the Earth system. The
    community is invited to contribute digital imagery, short captions and
    relevant links.


    Recent Eruption of Piton de la Fournaise

    May 27, 2022

    Piton de la Fournaise Christian Holveck 2

    Piton de la Fournaise Christian Holveck

    Photographer: Christian Holveck

    Summary Author: Christian Holveck

    Piton de la Fournaise on Reunion Island in the western Indian
    Ocean is one of the most active shield volcanoes in the world.
    During its last eruption, from December 22, 2021, to January 17,
    2022, very fluid lava flows were observed, the longest being more than
    1.3 miles (2 km) in length. Fortunately, this fiery flow was confined
    to the summit region, which is completely uninhabited. Bottom photo
    shows a closeup view. Photos taken in January 2022.
    * Piton de la Fournaise, Reunion Island Coordinates: -21.2425,
    55.7089

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    Geology Links

    * Earthquakes
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    * General Dictionary of Geology
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    * This Dynamic Earth
    * USGS
    * MyShake - University of California, Berkeley
    * USGS Ask a Geologist
    * USGS/NPS Geologic Glossary
    * USGS Volcano Hazards Program

    -
    Earth Science Picture of the Day is a service of the Universities
    Space Research Association.

    https://epod.usra.edu

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  • From Dan Richter@1:317/3 to All on Mon Jun 27 12:01:02 2022
    EPOD - a service of USRA

    The Earth Science Picture of the Day (EPOD) highlights the diverse processes and phenomena which shape our planet and our lives. EPOD will collect and archive photos, imagery, graphics, and artwork with short explanatory
    captions and links exemplifying features within the Earth system. The
    community is invited to contribute digital imagery, short captions and
    relevant links.


    The Resin of the Cherry Tree

    June 27, 2022

    RESINA EP

    Photographer: Teresa Molinaro

    Summary Author: Teresa Molinaro

    When trees experience stressful conditions, they react by producing a
    rubbery material called resin. These environmental stresses can
    cause injuries to the trees created by climatic factors, such as
    temperature and water availability, or biological factors, like
    pathological attacks by fungi or larvae that insinuate themselves
    inside the plant. Alternatively, resin production could simply be due
    to tree aging.

    In the photo above, I have captured the resin produced by a cherry tree
    growing near Madonie Park in Sicily, Italy. Although the gummy
    material that comes out of the bark is not a good sign for the health
    of the plant, it is undeniable that the brilliance of the resin under
    the sunlight produces a very interesting appearance. Once dried, resin
    turns into a material called amber that protects the tree from
    future stresses or injuries. Photo taken on September 14, 2021.

    Photo details: NIKON D3400 1/320 sec. f / 13 160 mm ISO 200 75mm lens
    * Madonie Park, Sicily, Italy Coordinates: 37.877, 14.026

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    Plant Links

    * Discover Life
    * Tree Encyclopedia
    * What are Phytoplankton?
    * Encyclopedia of Life - What is a Plant?
    * USDA Plants Database
    * University of Texas Native Plant Database
    * Plants in Motion
    * What Tree is It?

    -
    Earth Science Picture of the Day is a service of the Universities
    Space Research Association.

    https://epod.usra.edu

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  • From Dan Richter@1:317/3 to All on Wed Jul 27 12:01:10 2022
    EPOD - a service of USRA

    The Earth Science Picture of the Day (EPOD) highlights the diverse processes and phenomena which shape our planet and our lives. EPOD will collect and archive photos, imagery, graphics, and artwork with short explanatory
    captions and links exemplifying features within the Earth system. The
    community is invited to contribute digital imagery, short captions and
    relevant links.


    Tadpoles - Early Amphibian Life Cycle

    July 27, 2022

    IMG_20220501_161653308_epod

    Photographer: Michela Meda

    Summary Author: Michela Meda

    The photo above shows tadpoles of the common toad (Bufo bufo) found
    in Eurasia and in the north-west of Africa. These unique creatures are
    recognizable by their black color and tail that is relatively
    undeveloped compared to its body.

    The tadpole is the larval stage of annular amphibians, such as
    frogs and toads. This early life stage more closely resembles a small
    fish than to an amphibian. During tadpole stage, the body is
    characterized by two distinct traits: a roundish form- including the
    head- that is paired with a long, flexible tail. In contrast to adult
    amphibians, tadpole breathes through gills and generally eats
    vegetables. Following the tadpole stage of life, an amphibian will have
    to undergo a process of metamorphosis that will lead it to the final
    adult form.

    Some species of frogs that lay a gelatinous mass of eggs in the
    water will hatch within about two weeks. Following hatching, the
    tadpoles will gather in many nearby banks. This is a survival strategy
    since the coordinated movements of a large cluster of tadpoles can
    scare off a potential predator. In the time following hatching, the
    tadpole will grow, begin to develop hind limbs followed by front legs.
    In addition, the amphibians will change their physiology and diets
    shifting from vegetarian to carnivorous as well as develop
    rudimentary lungs during the time their gills begin to be absorbed.
    * Comerio, Varese, Italy Coordinates: 45.8378, 8.7449

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    Animal Links

    * Animal Diversity Web
    * ARKive
    * BirdLife International
    * Bug Guide
    * Discover Life
    * Integrated Taxonomic Information System
    * Microbial Life Resources
    Earth Science Picture of the Day is a service of the
    -
    Universities Space Research Association.

    https://epod.usra.edu

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  • From Dan Richter@1:317/3 to All on Sat Aug 27 12:00:34 2022
    EPOD - a service of USRA

    The Earth Science Picture of the Day (EPOD) highlights the diverse processes and phenomena which shape our planet and our lives. EPOD will collect and archive photos, imagery, graphics, and artwork with short explanatory
    captions and links exemplifying features within the Earth system. The
    community is invited to contribute digital imagery, short captions and
    relevant links.


    Yellow-bellied Sapsucker in North Carolina

    August 26, 2022

    PattiW_DSC02848 (005)

    PattiW_IMG_9459 (005)

    Photographer: Patti Weeks

    Summary Author: Patti Weeks

    The Yellow-bellied sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) is “one of the
    most migratory of woodpeckers,” as stated on the audubon.org
    website. Thus, this male sapsucker, whose photo I took February 3,
    2022, on a sugar maple tree in an eastern North Carolina arboretum,
    departed this spring for a breeding ground somewhere in the
    northeastern United States, eastern Alaska or Canada. The range of this
    sapsucker’s breeding territory has edged even further northward
    however, due to global warming. The Yellow-bellied sapsucker’s
    winter territory includes the southern and southeastern United States,
    Mexico, Central America and the West Indies. Territories of the other
    sapsuckers (Red-napped, Red-breasted and Williamson’s) are further west
    in the U.S. and Canada.

    The sapsucker perches vertically on the tree trunk, propping itself
    with its tail, and drills holes in neat rows (as seen in the second
    photo on a pecan tree.) It returns to the “ sapwells” to consume
    the sap as it oozes (inset is a close-up photo of oozing sapwells on a
    sugar maple). The moniker ‘sapsucker’ is misleading, as the bird
    actually sips the sap with hairlike structures on its tongue. Up to
    1,000 trees and woody plants have been identified as food sources for
    Yellow-bellied sapsuckers, but they prefer maple and birch trees.
    They also feed on insects, fruit, berries and nuts. Sapsuckers are
    considered a “ keystone” species, providing a crucial role in the
    health of their surrounding ecological community. Many other
    organisms are drawn to the sap, including bees, wasps, butterflies,
    squirrels, bats and other types of birds, particularly hummingbirds. In
    some areas, as many as 35 bird species have been reported to feed on
    the sap and the insects it attracts.

    Patti_inset

    The elevation of the Yellow-bellied sapsucker’s range can vary from
    10,000 ft. (3200 meters) to sea level. The Pitt County Arboretum here
    in Greenville, North Carolina is 56 ft (17 m) above sea level. Perhaps
    I will see this fella again, when it returns here to its wintering
    territory.


    Pitt County Arboretum, Greenville, North Carolina Coordinates: 35.6396,
    -77.3606

    Frozen Sap of a Yellow Birch Tree

    Harvesting Maple Syrup


    Categories: _AnimalLinks | Animals | Trees & Shrubs |
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    Animal Links

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    Earth Science Picture of the Day is a service of the
    -
    Universities Space Research Association.

    https://epod.usra.edu

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  • From Dan Richter@1:317/3 to All on Tue Sep 27 12:01:26 2022
    EPOD - a service of USRA

    The Earth Science Picture of the Day (EPOD) highlights the diverse processes and phenomena which shape our planet and our lives. EPOD will collect and archive photos, imagery, graphics, and artwork with short explanatory
    captions and links exemplifying features within the Earth system. The
    community is invited to contribute digital imagery, short captions and
    relevant links.


    Crepuscular Rays Observed from Turin, Italy

    September 27, 2022

    Crepuscular rays_resize

    Photographer: Piero Armando

    Summary Authors: Piero Armando; Jim Foster
    The setting Sun behind the peaks of the Orsiera-Rocciavrè Massif,
    cast this impressive set of crepuscular rays over Turin, Italy.
    Though most often associated with clouds, gaps in mountain peaks can
    also produce lanes of shadow and sunlight. However, there must be
    sufficient aerosols in the atmosphere in order to result in the
    dramatic effect shown above. Note it's perspective that seems to
    make the rays converge near the horizon. Photo taken on September 9,
    2022.

    Photo details: Canon EOS 600D camera;1/1250 sec. exposure; f/7; ISO
    100; 180 mm focal length.

    Turin, Italy Coordinates: 45.0703, 7.6869


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    Atmospheric Effects Links

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    -
    Earth Science Picture of the Day is a service of the Universities
    Space Research Association.

    https://epod.usra.edu

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  • From Dan Richter@1:317/3 to All on Sun Nov 27 11:01:14 2022
    EPOD - a service of USRA

    The Earth Science Picture of the Day (EPOD) highlights the diverse processes and phenomena which shape our planet and our lives. EPOD will collect and archive photos, imagery, graphics, and artwork with short explanatory
    captions and links exemplifying features within the Earth system. The
    community is invited to contribute digital imagery, short captions and
    relevant links.


    Glacial Striations in Victoria, British Columbia

    November 25, 2022


    L1005811

    Photographer: Joe LaCour

    Summary Author: Joe LaCour

    Just a few hundred meters southeast and across the street from where
    the Coho ferry docks in downtown Victoria, British Columbia,
    you can see a great example of the power of the glaciers from a
    previous ice age. Some 15,000 years ago, a glacier flowed over what
    is now Victoria. The surface of the outcrop shown above was
    grooved, scratched, and polished by the cutting action of pebbles
    and boulders dragged along like a piece of giant sandpaper frozen to
    the bottom a glacier. This fascinating ice age relic might be easy to
    miss as the attention of many passers-by is captured by the striking
    Legislative Parliament Building (not in photo). Note that the
    bronze plaque in the foreground - Glacial Grooves and Striations
    - acknowledges Victoria's glacial history.

    Photo details: Leica M9 Digital camera; 35mm Summicron lens; f13; 1/60
    second exposure; ISO320; processed with DxO PhotoLab.


    Victoria, British Columbia, Canada Coordinates: 48.4284, -123.3656


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    Geography Links

    * Atlapedia Online
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    -
    Earth Science Picture of the Day is a service of the Universities
    Space Research Association.

    https://epod.usra.edu

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  • From Dan Richter@1:317/3 to All on Tue Dec 27 11:00:30 2022
    EPOD - a service of USRA

    The Earth Science Picture of the Day (EPOD) highlights the diverse processes and phenomena which shape our planet and our lives. EPOD will collect and archive photos, imagery, graphics, and artwork with short explanatory
    captions and links exemplifying features within the Earth system. The
    community is invited to contribute digital imagery, short captions and
    relevant links.


    Patterns in the Dieffenbachia Plant

    December 27, 2022

    Menashe_varegation_Picture1

    Menashe_varegation_Picture2

    Photographer: Menashe Davidson

    Summary Author: Menashe Davidson

    In our apartment-garden, located in the city Rishon-LeZion, Israel, we
    grow in containers about 100 species of plants. Annuals and perennials,
    low plants, bushes, climbers and trees. Most of them flowering
    ornamentals, for the beauty of their seasonal bloom. But the most
    prominent plant, all the yearlong and not just seasonal, is the
    Dieffenbachia seguine plant, known as dumb cane from the family
    Araceae. The focal point of a dieffenbachia is the beautiful patterns
    of the foliage, which are variegated, all year long if properly
    cultivated.

    Variegation is the appearance of differently colored zones pf a
    plants’ leaves. Dieffenbachia leaves, are generally large and ovate,
    have irregular areas of splotches with lighter green, yellow or even
    cream color. In the first picture we already see the patterns appear on
    the eternal juvenile leaf of the vegetative bud. It then maintains this
    same appearance regardless of the plants’ age (second picture).

    The variegation is caused by mutations that affect chlorophyll
    production. This is 'built' into the plant DNA. Note that in some
    portions of the leaf tissues there’s a lack of chlorophyll pigments.
    The purpose of variegation is still a matter of debate. Regardless,
    gardeners enjoy harnessing the pattern traits that produce the most
    desirable, eye-catching plants.


    Rishon-LeZion, Israel Coordinates: 31.9730, 34.7925


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    Plant Links

    * Discover Life
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    * University of Texas Native Plant Database
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    * What Tree is It?

    -
    Earth Science Picture of the Day is a service of the Universities
    Space Research Association.

    https://epod.usra.edu

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