Mobula is a genus of Batoidea, which is commonly known as rays. Mobula rays (scientific name: Mobula tarapacana) are also known as “flying mobula”, “flying rays”, “eagle rays”, or “devil rays”. Here are 10 amazing Mobula ray facts.
Continue reading “10 Amazing Mobula Ray Facts”Giant Weta: the heaviest insect on Earth [10 amazing giant weta facts]
In the small islands of New Zealand,
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!
Continue reading “Giant Weta: the heaviest insect on Earth [10 amazing giant weta facts]”Pale Blue Dot
The farthest spacecraft from Earth, NASA’s Voyager 1 (see notes 1) probe took a photo of planet Earth on February 14, 1990, from a record distance of about 6 billion kilometers (3.7 billion miles, 40 AU (see notes 2) from Earth. The photo is known as the Pale Blue Dot. In the photograph, Earth is shown as a fraction of a pixel (0.12 pixel in size) against the vastness of space. It was a part of the Solar System Family Portrait series of images.
The Voyager 1 spacecraft, which had completed its primary mission and was leaving the Solar System, was commanded by NASA to turn its camera around and take a photograph of Earth across a great expanse of space, at the request of Carl Sagan (see notes 3).
It quickly became the most iconic photo of Earth taken from space.
Continue reading “Pale Blue Dot”
