In Chinese thought, spring is associated with the direction east, the sunrise direction as Earth spins us toward the beginning of each new day. Source: https://earthsky.org/human-world/a-chinese-perspective-on-the-spring-equinox…
Tag: Blogs
Group Builds Massive New Library of Censored Articles Inside Minecraft
In countries where websites, blogs and a free press are strictly limited, Minecraft “is still accessible by everyone,” notes the official official web site for Reporters Without Borders (an international nonprofit defending freedom of information):
Reporters Without Borders used this backdoor to build “The Uncensored Library”: A library that is now accessible on an open server for Minecraft players around the globe….
This date in science: Clyde Tombaugh discovers Pluto
Ninety years ago on this date, Clyde Tombaugh discovered Pluto. It was, until 2006, regarded as the ninth planet in our solar system. Source: https://earthsky.org/space/this-date-in-science-clyde-tombaugh-discoverer-of-pluto…
An AI Epidemiologist Sent the First Warnings of the Wuhan Virus
An anonymous reader shares a report: On January 9, the World Health Organization notified the public of a flu-like outbreak in China: a cluster of pneumonia cases had been reported in Wuhan, possibly from vendors’ exposure to live animals at the Huanan Seafood Market. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had gotten the word out a few days earlier,…
EarthSky’s 2020 meteor shower guide
All you need to know about major meteor showers in 2020. Source: https://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/earthskys-meteor-shower-guide…
Vox Media Fires Hundreds of Freelance Writers, Blaming California’s ‘Gig Economy’ Law
Since 2003 Vox Media has been covering California’s sports on its SB Nation blogs largely with independent contractors. But they’re making big changes to comply with a new California law targetting companies in the gig economy, according to the Los Angeles Times: Vox Media will end contracts with about 200 people, including non-California freelancers who cover teams based in the state, and…
Solstice tale of two cities
December solstice sunrise comes at the same time for St. Augustine, Florida, and New York City. But St. Augustine has an hour more of daylight than New York. Here’s why. Source: https://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/solstice-tale-of-two-cities…
Video: Watch scientists excavate a giant anthill
In this video clip, a giant ant colony is pumped full of concrete, then excavated to reveal the intricate complexity of its inner structure. A must-see! Source: https://earthsky.org/earth/video-giant-ant-hill-excavation…
Today in science: Launch of Sputnik
Sputnik’s unassuming beep ushered in the Space Age. Hear it here. Source: https://earthsky.org/space/this-date-in-science-launch-of-sputnik-october-4-1957…
Verizon To Sell Tumblr To WordPress Owner
According to The Wall Street Journal, Verizon has agreed to sell its blogging website Tumblr to the owner of popular online-publishing tool WordPress. Tumblr was acquired by Yahoo for $1.1 billion in 2013, and was later included in Verizon’s $4.5 billion purchase of Yahoo’s web assets in 2017. Bloomberg reports: Automattic Inc. will buy Tumblr for an undisclosed sum and take…