Jul
09
2009
Our word for the week is Echolocation. This term refers to the process of finding objects by emitting sound waves. Subtle differences in the echo pattern made by the sound waves when they reflect off of objects help animals locate food and avoid obstacles in the dark.
A good example of a creature that uses echolocation is the bat. The bat will emit a high frequency pulse of sound that is above the hearing range of the human ear. The bat will use the return sound to hone in on the pray. As they get closer to the pray, the bat will increase to 200 sound pulses, this helps them locate targets as small as a gnat.
Some sea creatures such as the dolphin, porpoises, and sperm whale use echolocation to help them navigate through the ocean. The pulses of sound the emit are very similar to the sonar radar that a submarine uses. The term for the week is from Discover Science Dictionary.
Mar
12
2009
The word of the day is: syzygy! This word deals with the Tide and we are not referring to the laundry detergent. The tide is the rise and fall of the ocean surface caused by the tidal effects of the sun and moon on the oceans.
Syzygy is the nearly straight-line configuration that occurs twice a month, when the Sun and the Moon are in conjunction and when they are in opposition. In both cases, the gravitational effects of the Sun and Moon reinforce each other, and the tidal range is increased.
Here are two more definitions we will toss out for your consumption. Conjunction in this case means that the Sun and Moon are on the same side of the Earth at the new Moon. Opposition means that the Sun and the Moon are on opposite sides of the Earth at the full Moon.
Having fun! Look for a future post on the tide and the effects the high and low tides have. Today’s ‘word of the day’ chosen by random finger pointing in The Old Farmer’s Almanac.
Feb
13
2009
How would you like to explore the depths of the ocean from the comfort of your chair while sitting in front of your PC? Now, I know that there are some of you that would enjoy exploring in a submarine in real life, however, for those less adventurous or who do not have the financial where withal to do so, you can now enjoy an undersea adventure with Google!
Google recently announced the release of Google Earth 5.0, and with this release, you can now explore the depths of the oceans. The new version gives you the ability to plunge all the way to the bottom of the sea, view exclusive content from Google partners such as BBC, Jacque Cousteau, and National Geographic. Explore 3D shipwrecks such as the Titanic. You will be able to enjoy the Mariana Trench, the deepest part in the ocean, and you will learn about ocean observations, climate changes, and endangered species.
Visit http://earth.google.com/ocean/ to get Google Earth 5.0 or to learn more about discovering the Oceans through Google Earth. Now, since I am on dial-up internet connection, it is not possible through this connection for me to enjoy Google Earth and all it has to offer. If you download Google Earth and explore the oceans, stop by after your oceanic adventure and share your finds by leaving a post!
Google Earth image / logo - Jacque Cousteau Society
