Contributor Posts

NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day:

What created this giant X in the clouds? It was the shadow of contrails illuminated from below. When airplanes fly, humid engine exhaust may form water droplets that might freeze in Earth's cold upper atmosphere. These persistent streams of water and ice scatter light from the Sun above and so appear bright from below. On rare occasions, though, when the Sun is near the horizon, contrails can be lit from below. These contrails cast long shadows upwards, shadows that usually go unseen unless there is a high cloud deck. But that was just the case over Istanbul, Türkiye, earlier this month. Contrails occur all over planet Earth and, generally, warm the Earth when the trap infrared light but cool the Earth when they efficiently reflect sunlight. The image was taken by a surprised photographer in the morning on the way to work.

Photo by Fatih Ekmen

NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day:

Yes, but can your volcano do this? To the surprise of some, Mt. Etna emits, on occasion, smoke rings. Technically known as vortex rings, the walls of the volcano slightly slow the outside of emitted smoke puffs, causing the inside gas to move faster. A circle of low pressure develops so that the emitted puff of volcanic gas and ash loops around in a ring, a familiar geometric structure that can be surprisingly stable as it rises. Smoke rings are quite rare and need a coincidence of the right geometry of the vent, the right speed of ejected smoke, and the relative calmness of the outside atmosphere. In the featured image taken about two weeks ago from Gangi, Sicily, Italy, multiple volcanic smoke rings are visible. The scene is shaded by the red light of a dawn Sun, while a crescent Moon is visible in the background.

Photo by Dario Giannobile

Earth Day is an annual event celebrated on April 22 since 1970. It is a time to demonstrate support for environmental protection and an important reminder that we all have a role to play in protecting the planet. For Earth Day 2024 on April 22nd, EARTHDAY.ORG is reinstating its unwavering commitment to end plastics for the sake of human and planetary health, demanding a 60% reduction in the production of ALL plastics by 2040

 Credit for the Earth Day idea goes to Gaylord Nelson, an American politician from Wisconsin and leading figure in the fight against environmental degradation and social injustice. Rachel Carson, a marine biologist and best-selling author provided the spark for this movement with the 1962 publication of her book, "Silent Spring" which showed the devastating effects of modern pesticides on the natural world.

When it is over,
will you relent,
or have the damages,
left you with your nose bent?

Anger, should be,
to understand,
except when your feet,
are stuck in the sand.

We are Actors,
in our own life's plays.
We play actors in life,
until the end of days.

Our roles, all different,
as they should be,
for we are all players,
in the scenes, we see.

I hope we are called lovers,
by all who we know
and the love is truthful,
once it's decided to go.

I'm happy to know you,
and for all which you do.
My heart, bursts with joy,
whenever I see you.

You are not my love,
to take.
I'm so sorry, if,
your heart, I break.

I sit here,
in early morn,
reflecting about,
when I was born.

A Midwife,
a dining room table, was done.
Out soon, there was born,
a boy. A son.

Marianne Craig Moore (1887 – 1972). American modernist poet, critic, translator, and editor. She is consider one of American literature’s foremost poets. Her poetry is noted for its precise diction, irony, and wit. She was nominated for the 1968 Nobel Prize in Literature.
Source: The Complete Prose of Marianne Moore

Naked branches,
across the sky,
a moonlit background.
Why, oh, why?

Do the simple,
things in life.
Create joy,
not causing strife.

Await a visit,
from afar,
while you observe,
a falling star.

Writing words, to paper,
will disappear with disdain,
as overtime,
memories, wane.

Nothing was special,
dreams were fast,
as disinterest prevailed
and didn't last.

You said you
loved me,
but we couldn't let
anyone see.

I understood the reason,
as old as I be.
You are younger,
do we have compatibility.

It doesn't matter, at all,
to me.
The age differential,
will be harder on thee.

Only a few days, remain,
you will be free,
to find someone who,
loves you more than me.

Life's sad tale supplemented,
with love,
Hopefully will be addressed,
by those up above.

He saw her again,
it was yesterday,
Was she a visitor,
or did she, here stay?

Unanswered questions,
not his to say.
When he saw her again,
his heart melted away.