Changing Earth: How Satellites Give us a Unique Perspective on our Evolving Planet

The ever-changing Earth: our planet is constantly changing over the years. Some changes are part of nature, and some of them are on humanity’s shoulders. Some scientists even suggest that the Earth has entered a new geological epoch defined by human impact, called the “Anthropocene“. Over the years astronauts have taken photos of the Earth from space and documented these changes. NASA’s World of Change series shows how our planet’s land, oceans, atmosphere, and Sun are changing over time.

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Here’s how Japanese Honey Bees defend themself against the Japanese Giant Hornet [Amazing Videos]

In the insects world, the Japanese Giant Hornet (Vespa mandarinia japonica) is a real beast. It is one of the subspecies of the Asian Giant Hornet (Vespa mandarinia), which is the world’s largest hornet. As its name suggests, it is endemic to the Japanese islands, where it prefers rural areas where it can find trees to nest in.

Using its scissor-like teeth that can wreak havoc on its prey, a single Japanese giant hornet can kill up to 40 European honeybees a minute. So, a few of them can decimate an entire colony containing 30,000 European honey bees. Compared to honeybees, it is really a giant: adults can be more than 4.5 centimeters (1.8 inches) long, with a wingspan greater than 6 centimeters (2.4 inches).

But, the Japanese honey bees have developed an amazing defense against these giants during their evolutionary process.

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The incredible story of Chito and Pocho: “The man who swims with a crocodile”

A unique friendship between a man and a crocodile: nicknamed “Chito”, Gilberto Shedden, a Costa Rican fisherman, and naturalist had an unusual friend: “Pocho”, a huge crocodile longer than 5 meters (16 feet 5 inches), with a weight up to half a ton.

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10 Amazing Natural Wonders Around the World

Spanning the length and breadth of our magnificent planet, nature’s wonders never cease to amaze. From the well-known to the undiscovered, these marvels showcase the staggering beauty and diversity of Earth’s landscapes. Some of these natural wonders are famous worldwide, while others remain hidden gems. Whether formed by the relentless power of water, wind, or tectonic forces, each phenomenon has a unique story to tell. Let’s embark on a journey to explore 10 such fascinating natural wonders around the world.

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10 Krakatoa facts about the 1883 eruption

On August 26-27, 1883, one of the most notorious volcanic eruptions in history occurred. Krakatau (often spelled Krakatoa) erupted with an estimated 10,000 thousand times the force of the Hiroshima atomic bomb. The eruption was so violent that two-thirds of the island of Krakatoa and its surrounding archipelago were destroyed: about 23 square kilometers of Earth sank into the Sunda Strait.

Across Java and Sumatra, burning rock rained down, damaging and even destroying settlements. The sky went black.

Here are 10 amazing facts about the 1883 eruption of Krakatoa.

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It’s Highly Unlikely That We Will Ever Journey to Other Stars [Here’s Why]

Earth is our one and only home. But, is it possible for humanity to leave its home and visit other stars (or other stars that have planets, actually) in the future?

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Seven Wonders of the Ancient World [With Images]

The “Seven Wonders of the World”, also known as the “Seven Wonders of the Ancient World”, describes seven great constructions known in the Hellenistic period (see notes 1). None of them but the Great Pyramid of Giza (Kheops Pyramid) do exist today.

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Giant Weta: the heaviest insect on Earth [10 amazing giant weta facts]

In the small islands of New Zealand, the world’s heaviest insect lives – The Giant weta. There are 70 types of species of weta in the genus Deinacrida of the family Anostostomatidae.

Giant weta is the heaviest insect on Earth. Fully grown species can even be heavier than a mouse or sparrow.

Giant weta is endemic to New Zealand and is an example of island gigantism, which is a biological phenomenon leading to a larger size than their mainland relatives because of their isolation and lack of large predators. A female giant weta filled with eggs can reach up to 70 grams (2.47 oz.) or more!

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