ISS - Fail. Fail Forward, Though, Right?

Six seconds after takeoff when the second set of engines were supposed to take over, the rocket blew up. No casualties reported yet. It's sad, but mistakes happen. Most important is to learn from it and prevent it from happening again.

Impressive Infographic

A reddit user has posted a spectacular infographic visually explaining how every planet in the solar system would be able to fit between Earth and our own moon.  I didn't believe it myself, and was about to go and dig up all diameters of each planet - but, it's already done.  Also, Wolfram-Alpha, the google for calculations, can give the total diameter in one query.  

Hawaii Volcano May Force Evacuations

At a rate of 10 yards per hour, the sudden change in flow from south to northeast in June has Hawaiian authorities asking people in a remote village to evacuate.  There is the smell of burning asphalt that fills the air as the advancing lava flow destroys roads as shown in the pictures below. Please see weather.com for more details and images.  The basalt pillows discussed in class are evident in the pictures below.

Physics Demos from Space - What Happens in a Weightless Environment?

This is a long exposure shot of the Earth from the ISS.  What do you think are those blue spots on the Earth as well as those blue streaks in space?  Leave the possibilities in the comment section below.  

If you want more from this particular astronaut, he's completed many physics experiments in space, taking advantage of the weightless environment.

Potential Martians, Moving Rocks, Canadian Space Work Opportunity, and more Space Selfies

1)  Trending on reddit:  "Cell-like structure found within 1.3 billion-year-old martian meteorite.  Exciting news, except for the fact that it was a misleading title.  If you read further into the article, the professor leading the team's investigation of the meteorite says: "... our research found that it probably wasn’t a cell but that it did once hold water – water that had been heated, probably as a result of an asteroid impact.”  Well, there was water.  That's somewhat significant in itself to warrant a link and a picture.  

2)  Perfect timing for our 'earth processes' unit.  Rocks are moving in Death Valley.  See more pics here.

3)  An innovative new Canadian space company has just started their company.  You want a job in space?  You need to start preparing for your job as soon as yo ucan.  So start following this company.

4)  More astronaut selfies while they do work maintaining the ISS.  See more on Discovery.

Geosites or a Bolide - Which do Your Prefer?

Breathtaking compilation as voted by the people of the internet. Behold, we have the best geosites of the UK in the world. The following is just a few, but go here for the full view by map.  I guess you could chart your next trip eh?

Brimham Rocks - Outcrops Category

Jurassic Coast (a wicked name, to boot!) -  Educational Category

Island of Staffa - Adventurous Category

An amateur astronomer captured something on his camera.  He saw something absolutely weird, and then went onto reddit for some help in identification.  He apparently has found a bolide, a fireball from a meteor.  This is an event that astronomers go decades without seeing.  Without further adieu, here it is in a short time lapse video:

Potatoes, Tomatoes, and Volcanoes. Do They Really Say - Volcana?

Here are some volcanoes happening around the world in the past week.  The first two  pictures depicts Mount Sinabung erupting on October 8 as seen from Karo district located on Sumatra island.  The last picture I posted is of the Japanese launching a satellite to orbit Earth in an effort to better measure and predict natural disasters.