My little brother got into outer space and stuff so my step-mom bought him a place mat with all the planets on it. When I first saw it, I was upset, because it was newer and so Pluto wasn’t labeled. I was about to say something when I noticed something…
Pluto is there.
The artist remembered Pluto.
Guys…
The artist drew Pluto crying.
Star Stuff Contemplating the Stars
RSSGlass Beach is a protected beach, but not for its natural beauty. Located just outside of Fort Bragg, California it became an illegal dumping ground for residents in the late nineteenth century who lacked any kind of refuse pickup. It wasn’t until 1967 that the illegal dump was finally closed by city leaders and the local water board. The beach was cleaned of large refuse, but small pieces of glass and plastic that had been worn down by the elements remain, giving the beach its name and its unusual beauty.
![the-star-stuff:
Galactic Collision
This composite image of the Antennae galaxies contains X-rays from Chandra (blue), optical data from Hubble (gold and brown), and infrared data from Spitzer (red). The X-ray image shows huge clouds of hot, interstellar gas that have been injected with rich deposits of elements from supernova explosions. This enriched gas, which includes elements such as oxygen, iron, magnesium and silicon, will be incorporated into new generations of stars and planets. The bright, point-like sources in the image are produced by material falling onto black holes and neutron stars that are remnants of the massive stars.
Image: X-ray: NASA/CXC/SAO/J.DePasquale; IR: NASA/JPL-Caltech; Optical: NASA/STScI [high-resolution]](http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m4xuwj2Dpl1qe649zo1_1280.jpg)
Galactic Collision
This composite image of the Antennae galaxies contains X-rays from Chandra (blue), optical data from Hubble (gold and brown), and infrared data from Spitzer (red). The X-ray image shows huge clouds of hot, interstellar gas that have been injected with rich deposits of elements from supernova explosions. This enriched gas, which includes elements such as oxygen, iron, magnesium and silicon, will be incorporated into new generations of stars and planets. The bright, point-like sources in the image are produced by material falling onto black holes and neutron stars that are remnants of the massive stars.
Image: X-ray: NASA/CXC/SAO/J.DePasquale; IR: NASA/JPL-Caltech; Optical: NASA/STScI [high-resolution]
(Source: animehoe)
Hawaii to become first U.S. state to ban plastic bags at checkout in every county
Hawaii is slated to become the first state in the nation to ban plastic bags at checkouts in every county.
“This is groundbreaking,” said Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle, according to msnbc.com.
Carlisle signed off on the ban last week, joining Honolulu County with the state’s three other counties, which had already passed the ban.
“By signing this environmentally friendly bill, Honolulu joined our neighbor island countries. Hawaii has become the only state in the United States where every county has plastic bag legislation.” Carlisle said.
The change goes into effect on July 15, 2015, giving retailers “plenty of time to get ready,” he told msnbc.com.
“Retailers will be able to use up their inventory of bags and make arrangements to educate the public on the importance of bringing their own bag,” Carlisle said.
Bans are already enforced in Kauai and Maui counties, and Hawaii County’s takes effect on Jan. 16, 2013.
The news comes on the heels of a report from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography documenting a shocking increase in plastic waste floating in the northeast Pacific Ocean.
Particularly in a region dubbed the “Great Pacific Garbage Patch,” marine life is changing as creatures ingest plastic at alarming rates.
The bans passed after a two-year campaign directed by the Sierra Club, an environmental group.
“Passing the bans did take an effort — change always does — but people seemed to understand the need for such an effort,” Robert Harris, director of the Sierra Club’s Hawaii chapter, told msnbc.com.
“Being a marine state, perhaps, we are exposed more directly to the impacts of plastic pollution and the damage it does to our environment,” he said.
“People in Hawaii are more likely to be in the water or in the outdoors and see the modern-day tumbleweed — plastic bags — in the environment.”
Earth from Space
1. Desert’s End
Photograph courtesy NASA via NASA Earth Observatory
In Eastern Algeria’s stretch of the Sahara, the Tifernine Dune Field - a section of the Grand Erg Oriental dune sea - meets the Tinrhert Plateau, as seen in a 2008 astronaut photograph.
2. Sea Snakes
Photograph courtesy CNES/Spot Image/ESA
Gullies slithering through sandbanks are seen in the Wadden Sea, near the Netherlands, in a 2006 satellite image.
3. Circulation System
Photograph courtesy NASA and NASA Earth Observatory
Tidal flats and channels on the western side of the Bahamas’ Long Island are seen in a 2010 astronaut photograph.
4. Circles of Life
Photograph courtesy NASA and NASA Earth Observatory
Fields near the city of Perdizes, in the Minas Gerais state of Brazil, are seen in a 2011 astronaut photograph.
An innovative initiative is taking place in the Philippines to bring sustainable lighting to homes in impoverished communities. Empty plastic bottles are installed in the roof, filled with water and bleach they refract sunlight. These “solar light bulbs” provide light equivalent to a 55watt light bulb.
See how they’re made here. From Visual News
About Star Stuff Contemplating the Stars
Hey, there! I'm SC and this is just a blog about outer space, forests, oceans--in general, the natural world, and whatever else catches my fancy. Hopefully, you'll find something you like.
