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A Whale in 654 megapixels

2007-09-06

Whale in 654 MP To be marveled at in this Flash animation of the WDCS = Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society.

Luckily, you don’t get all 44032×14848 pixels at once, but only a small detail at a time, whose tiles are loaded dynamically. In total, for a typical monitor resolution of 96 dpi, this results in a picture with a total length of 11,65 meters – a little small for a Blue Whale who has, according to Wikipedia, an average length of 26m, but still remarkable and – if it’s a smaller, younger animal – quite life-sized…

(via admartinator.de)

95 million years to Chicxulub

2007-09-05

Warning: A long scientific sentence without humor! (Yes, I need that from time to time.)

Astronomers have now found with calculations of asteroid orbits, chemical examinations of asteroids that crashed on Earth and temporal distribution of impacts also on Moon, Mars and Venus that probably the collision of an asteroid with a diameter of 170 km, called Baptistina, with a 60 km large one 160 (+30/-20) million years ago created 300 large fragments over 10 km (and many smaller ones) including the one that impacted near Chicxulub (Mexiko) 65 million years ago, which most likely was mainly responsible for the extinction of the dinosaurs.

Quite interesting how things like that can be determined after so long periods of time… More info on Spiegel Online (German), original article from Nature.

Thumb, but not twiddling

2007-09-05

All these Blogthings quizzes going the rounds – make you wonder… be it about the “meaning” of your birthday or – after a few personal questions – about the oh so important information what finger you are…

Alright, I don’t mind some meaningless entertainment, :razz: so:


You Are the Thumb

You’re unique and flexible. And you defy any category.
Mentally strong and agile, you do things your own way. And you do them well.
You are a natural leader… but also truly a loner. You inspire many but connect with few.

You get along well with: The Middle Finger

Stay away from: The Pinky
/td>

Luckily, the thumb points upwards, that’s quite cheering one up! :freu:

Cheese everywhere?

2007-09-04

It’s been known for a long time that the moon consists of cheese ;) .– Wallace & Gromit also have proven this – now the entire space could have holes like Swiss cheese. At least that’s what Valerio Marra and his colleagues say: Many holes without any matter could appear to us like the effects of dark energy, and without the need for accelerated expansion.

And let’s be honest, a cheese universe is quite more likeable than one full of dark energy, isn’t it?. :mrgreen:

Oans, zwoa…

2007-09-03

In a few days, the “Volksfest” (public festival like the Oktoberfest, just much smaller) will start here in Pfaffenhofen — and the lokal savings bank uses that for advertising its “Wiesnpackage” (festival vouchers when buying certain investment products from them).

Quiz: What’s wrong here? Probably even some of my international visitors will know that…

Oans, zwoa, drei... - Sparkasse Pfaffenhofen

(Apart from the fact that “Wiesn” is quite a euphemism for Pfaffenhofen’s festival ground…)