Video link. Back in 2007, Pesco blogged about a mysterious hexagon on Saturn that emerged from a storm on their North Pole. While people have known since Isaac Newton's time that spinning a bucket of water could create similar patterns, scientists wanted to emulate the precise conditions on Saturn. Neither Newton nor Saturn have cool green glowy stuff or sparkly white stuff and mechanized centrifuges, so this is quite pretty and trippy. There's some lovely stills of varying rates of spin creating different shapes. I recommend muting their sound and putting on Gustav Holst's Saturn. There's even a HOWTO at The Planetary Society.
Lovely lab recreations of Saturn's hexagonal storms
Building the world's biggest and deepest swimming pool… for science!
The Blue Abyss is a deep sea and space research training facility that will be constructed near the Cornwall Airport Newquay in England. Holding nearly 1.5 million cubic feet of water, the Blue Abyss will be the world's largest and deepest swimming pool of its kind. Unfortunately, it's unlikely most of us will have a… READ THE REST
This animal was revived after being frozen for 24,000 years
This is a bdelloid rotifer, a common microscopic animal that lives in freshwater all over the world. But the one seen here is unique in that it was frozen in Arctic permafrost for 24,000 years and just revived by scientists. Once thawed, the rotifer was able to feed and reproduce. The Russian researchers had collected… READ THE REST
People can learn to echolocate like bats in just ten weeks
We've posted several times about how people who are blind who have learned how to "see" and navigate the world using echolocation like bats, shrews, and whales. The skill involves making loud clicking noises with the tongue and then listening for the echo to judge not only distance but sometimes even determine the material of an object. New research… READ THE REST
This dot grid journal is a brilliant way to give bullet journaling a try
Sometimes, the world can bring back something that might have been headed for the dustbin of history if fate hadn't intervened. Case in point: journaling. While the art of chronicling your life and activities hadn't disappeared, it was definitely waning before last year. Then, COVID hit — and many of those who faced anxiety and new… READ THE REST
Get these refurbished Apple iPads, MacBooks, and iMacs now at up to 68% off
From tablets and laptops to desktop computers, you can always feel confident you're getting a quality piece of tech if there's an Apple name on it. Unfortunately, that level of security comes with a price tag as the Cupertino titan invariably creates top-notch products and charges a premium price for that level of performance. But… READ THE REST
Save 28% on Angels' Cup and get world-class coffee shipped to your door
We've all finally acknowledged that coffee isn't just a mug of flavored water you swig in the morning to perk up your day, right? The brewological arts have elevated in recent years. Sure, you can buy a can of coffee crystals or grab a latte at Starbucks, but that's just maintenance. For true lovers of… READ THE REST