EPOD - a service of USRA

The Earth Science Picture of the Day (EPOD) highlights the diverse processes and phenomena which shape our planet and our lives. EPOD will collect and archive photos, imagery, graphics, and artwork with short explanatory
captions and links exemplifying features within the Earth system. The
community is invited to contribute digital imagery, short captions and
relevant links.


Methane Bubbles Frozen in an Alaskan Marsh

January 25, 2021

Pm_bubbles_epod

Photographer: Gabrielle Tepp
Summary Author: Gabrielle Tepp

Before the winter snow starts falling, a frozen marsh or lake can be a
beautiful sight. Bacteria living off the organic matter at the
bottom of the marsh releases methane gas, which creates white
bubbles when frozen in ice, as shown above. How the bubbles appear
in the frozen ice is dependent on the rate of the gas release and
also the rate at which the ice forms. If the gas release is relatively
slow, the bubbles will freeze in a vertical stream with layers of
ice in between bubbles, as in the center photo. If the gas is released
faster than the ice freezes, the gas bubbles build up and grow into
larger bubbles or more complex patterns, as seen in the right photo.
The frozen bubble streams can also capture a snapshot of just how the
water was flowing as the ice was expanding. I enjoy skating or walking
around the marsh to see how the bubbles differ in each pond. Photos
taken on November 3, 2020, at Potter Marsh in Alaska.
* Potter Marsh, Alaska Coordinates: 61.0561, -149.7972

Related EPODs

Methane Bubbles Frozen in an Alaskan Marsh Dark Spots and
Patterns on Lake Ice Surface Hoar Formation Not all Snow
Crystals are Perfectly Symmetrical Archive - Blue Light From Deep
Snow Archive - Lago Grey Icebergs
More...

Cryosphere Links

* Guide to Frost
* What is the Cryosphere?
* Bentley Snow Crystals
* Glaciers of the World
* Ice, Snow, and Glaciers: The Water Cycle
* The National Snow and Ice Data Center Google Earth Images
* Snow and Ice Crystals

-
Earth Science Picture of the Day is a service of the Universities
Space Research Association.

https://epod.usra.edu

--- up 5 weeks, 5 days, 21 hours, 28 minutes
* Origin: -=> Castle Rock BBS <=- Now Husky HPT Powered! (21:1/186)

EPOD - a service of USRA

The Earth Science Picture of the Day (EPOD) highlights the diverse processes and phenomena which shape our planet and our lives. EPOD will collect and archive photos, imagery, graphics, and artwork with short explanatory
captions and links exemplifying features within the Earth system. The
community is invited to contribute digital imagery, short captions and
relevant links.


Opalescent Fossil Shells

February 25, 2021

Fossil shells

Photographer: Mila Zinkova
Summary Author: Mila Zinkova

Seen above are two opalised fossil shells found in Coober
Pedy, Australia. The name Coober Pedy comes from the Aboriginal words
kupa pity and means "white man in a hole" because the opals are
collected in mines. These opals were first discovered in 1915 by an
accident when a teenage boy found a few rocks while his father and he
were looking for gold. The opalescent play-of-color in these gems
can be seen In this video.

Photo Details: Camera: Apple iPhone 6; Software: Adobe Photoshop CS3
Windows; Exposure Time: 0.0037s (1/273); Aperture: ƒ/2.2; ISO
equivalent: 32; Focal Length (35mm): 75
* Coober Pedy, Australia Coordinates: -29.0103, 134.75769

Related EPODs

Opalescent Fossil Shells A Conglomeration of Witches and
Wonders Horn Park Quarry Ammonites An Unusual Arch Cerro
Ventana, Argentina Mount Forato’s Natural Arch at Sunset
More...

Geology Links

* Earthquakes
* Geologic Time
* Geomagnetism
* General Dictionary of Geology
* Mineral and Locality Database
* Mohs Scale of Mineral Hardness
* This Dynamic Earth
* USGS
* USGS Ask a Geologist
* USGS/NPS Geologic Glossary
* USGS Volcano Hazards Program

-
Earth Science Picture of the Day is a service of the Universities
Space Research Association.

https://epod.usra.edu

--- up 10 weeks, 1 day, 21 hours, 27 minutes
* Origin: -=> Castle Rock BBS <=- Now Husky HPT Powered! (21:1/186)

EPOD - a service of USRA

The Earth Science Picture of the Day (EPOD) highlights the diverse processes and phenomena which shape our planet and our lives. EPOD will collect and archive photos, imagery, graphics, and artwork with short explanatory
captions and links exemplifying features within the Earth system. The
community is invited to contribute digital imagery, short captions and
relevant links.


Panoramic View of Villarrica Volcano and the Southern Sky

March 25, 2021

Pano Orion-Escorpion Volcan Villarrica

Photographer: Cari Letelier
Summary Authors: Cari Letelier; Jim Foster

Featured above on this panoramic view is one of Chile’s most active
volcanoes, the Rukapillán ( Villarrica) Volcano, shown beneath a
canopy of stars and the glow of the Milky Way, as observed on
January 17, 2021. A sacred Mapuche sculpture known as a
Chemamull is in the foreground at lower left.

To the upper right of Villarrica volcano can be found the Magellanic
Clouds ( Small Magellanic Cloud and Large Magellanic Cloud),and
to the upper right of the Large Cloud is the bright star Canopus.
The constellation of Orion is at lower right, and above it to the
left is Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky.
* Pucon, Chile Coordinates: -39.2723, -71.9776

Related EPODs

Panoramic View of Villarrica Volcano and the Southern Sky The
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Night Setting Crescent Moon over California Orion, Geminid
Meteors and Oxena River Waterfall The Full Moons of 2020
More...

Night Sky Links

* Space Weather Live
* Space Weather Live Forum
* About the Moon
* American Meteor Society
* Arbeitskreises Meteore e.V.
* Global City Lights
* Heavens Above Home Page
* The International Meteor Organization
* Lunar and Planetary Institute
* MoonConnection
* NASA Eclipse Web Page
* Understanding The Moon Phases

-
Earth Science Picture of the Day is a service of the Universities
Space Research Association.

https://epod.usra.edu

--- up 14 weeks, 1 day, 20 hours, 41 minutes
* Origin: -=> Castle Rock BBS <=- Now Husky HPT Powered! (21:1/186)

EPOD - a service of USRA

The Earth Science Picture of the Day (EPOD) highlights the diverse processes and phenomena which shape our planet and our lives. EPOD will collect and archive photos, imagery, graphics, and artwork with short explanatory
captions and links exemplifying features within the Earth system. The
community is invited to contribute digital imagery, short captions and
relevant links.


17-Year Cicadas in 2021

May 25, 2021

Cin_cicadas_IMG_6131 (005)a

Cin_cicadas_IMG_6125 (004)a

Photographer: Cindy Sun

Summary Author: Jim Foster

Brood X cicadas are now emerging by the multitudes in the Middle
Atlantic and Mid-West regions of the U.S. Shown above are the throngs
of juveniles that surfaced from beneath a silver maple tree at my
home. Once above ground they quickly shed their encasements and then as
red-eyed adults (bottom photo) start a several week period of
courtship. The screeching mating call made by the males can reach
decibel levels near 90. While this call is annoying to most humans it
obviously works for the females of the cicada species. To hear
their "chorus" and see them emerging click here.

Because almost everything eats these tasty morsels, their survival
strategy is to overwhelm predators by popping out of the ground by the
millions, in a matter of just a few days. This strategy is called
predator satiation. They don’t do lasting damage to the mature
trees they alight upon, but their egg-laying and sheer numbers can
injure young trees, particularly newly planted trees that bear
fruit or bloom in spring, such as the one that for some reason I
decided to plant earlier this spring.



Silver Spring, Maryland Coordinates: 38.9907, -77.0261



Related EPODs

17-Year Cicadas in 2021 Fireflies in Nuevo León, México The
Strength of Spider Silk Iridescent Wings of a Hoverfly
Cardinals’ Fall Friend Salty Bees Fueling for Winter
More...

Animal Links

* Animal Diversity Web
* ARKive
* BirdLife International
* Bug Guide
* Discover Life
* Integrated Taxonomic Information System
* Microbial Life Resources
Earth Science Picture of the Day is a service of the
-
Universities Space Research Association.

https://epod.usra.edu

--- up 2 weeks, 4 days, 12 hours, 15 minutes
* Origin: -=> Castle Rock BBS <=- Now Husky HPT Powered! (21:1/186)

EPOD - a service of USRA

The Earth Science Picture of the Day (EPOD) highlights the diverse processes and phenomena which shape our planet and our lives. EPOD will collect and archive photos, imagery, graphics, and artwork with short explanatory
captions and links exemplifying features within the Earth system. The
community is invited to contribute digital imagery, short captions and
relevant links.


Beautiful Colors of the Hollyhock

June 25, 2021

Menashe_Picture1

Menashe_Picture2

Photographer: Menashe Davidson

Summary Author: Menashe Davidson

Alcea setosa ( Bristly Hollyhock) is prominent in springtime in the
Middle East. Its impressively colored and large flowers are arranged
along a conspicuous, inflorescent stalk (top photo). I’ve been able
to domesticate this wild plant in my garden apartment (growing them in
containers) in Rishon LeZion, Israel.

Each flower extends about 3-5 inches (7.5-12.5 cm) when its fully open.
Overlapping petals allow the flower to attain the shape of a funnel
that acts to guide pollinators toward the flower’s interior, where its
reproductive organs and nectar are found (bottom photo). Each
individual flower has both male and female organs ( hermaphroditic).
But the flowers avoid self-pollination by having the male and female
organs mature at different times. So, by the time the female is
receptive, the pollen of the same flower is gone, and only pollen
from another flower can do the job. Photos taken on April 2, 2021.


Rishon LeZion, Israel Coordinates: 31.9730, 34.7925


Related EPODs

Beautiful Colors of the Hollyhock Purple Anemone May Apples
in My Garden Blooming of Pico de Graja on La Palma Bald Cypress
Trees and Their Enigmatic “knees” Terraces Dryland Farming
More...

Plant Links

* Discover Life
* Tree Encyclopedia
* What are Phytoplankton?
* Encyclopedia of Life - What is a Plant?
* USDA Plants Database
* University of Texas Native Plant Database
* Plants in Motion
* What Tree is It?

-
Earth Science Picture of the Day is a service of the Universities
Space Research Association.

https://epod.usra.edu

--- up 7 weeks, 12 hours, 15 minutes
* Origin: -=> Castle Rock BBS <=- Now Husky HPT Powered! (21:1/186)

EPOD - a service of USRA

The Earth Science Picture of the Day (EPOD) highlights the diverse processes and phenomena which shape our planet and our lives. EPOD will collect and archive photos, imagery, graphics, and artwork with short explanatory
captions and links exemplifying features within the Earth system. The
community is invited to contribute digital imagery, short captions and
relevant links.


Archive - Full Moon Over Mount Rainier

July 24, 2021

6a0105371bb32c970b0133f3ebedd1970b Every weekend we present a
notable item from our archives. Inspired by the full moon this weekend,
we are re-posting this spectacular EPOD originally published September
9, 2010.

Photographer: Sally Budack
Summary Author: Sally Budack; Jim Foster
The above photo shows the full Moon of July 24, 2010 centered
directly above the ever picturesque Mount Rainier, Washington. It
was taken just before sunset some 50 miles (80 km) away in Tacoma,
Washington. This snow capped composite, or stratovolcano, stands
14,411 feet (4,392 m) above sea level towering above its surroundings.
It is the loftiest summit in the Cascade Range. When the Moon is
near the horizon, it seems to appear larger to us than when it resides
higher in the sky. This is an illusion, however. It's no bigger
when perched on the horizon than when overhead. What's different is
that at the horizon the Moon has a point of reference, and our brain
processes visual information into a spatial reference frame.

Photo details: Camera Maker: SONY; Camera Model: DSLR-A100; Focal
Length: 70.0mm (35mm equivalent: 105mm); Aperture: f/5.6; Exposure
Time: 0.0040 s (1/250); ISO equiv: 125; Exposure Bias: none; Metering
Mode: Matrix; Exposure: program (Auto); White Balance: Auto; Flash
Fired: No; Color Space: sRGB.
* Mount Rainier Coordinates: 46.85278, -121.76028

Related EPODs

Archive - Full Moon Over Mount Rainier The Power of One
Moon Occultation of Mars The Yin and Yang of the Lunar Cycle
Mineral Moon and ISS Transit The Noose of Mars in 2020
More...

Night Sky Links

* Space Weather Live
* Space Weather Live Forum
* About the Moon
* American Meteor Society
* Arbeitskreises Meteore e.V.
* Global City Lights
* Heavens Above Home Page
* The International Meteor Organization
* Lunar and Planetary Institute
* MoonConnection
* NASA Eclipse Web Page
* Understanding The Moon Phases

-
Earth Science Picture of the Day is a service of the Universities
Space Research Association.

https://epod.usra.edu

--- up 11 weeks, 2 days, 12 hours, 15 minutes
* Origin: -=> Castle Rock BBS <=- Now Husky HPT Powered! (21:1/186)

EPOD - a service of USRA

The Earth Science Picture of the Day (EPOD) highlights the diverse processes and phenomena which shape our planet and our lives. EPOD will collect and archive photos, imagery, graphics, and artwork with short explanatory
captions and links exemplifying features within the Earth system. The
community is invited to contribute digital imagery, short captions and
relevant links.


Archive - Monarch Butterfly and Chrysalis

September 25, 2021

6a0105371bb32c970b01901ec5a4ad970b

Every weekend we present a notable item from our archives.

This EPOD was originally published September 8, 2013.

Photographer: Bill Schultz MD
Summary Authors: Bill Schultz MD; Jim Foster

The photo above shows a nearly fully formed Monarch butterfly as
seen through the wall of its chrysalis shortly before emerging. It
was taken from Stonecreek, Ohio on September 22, 2012. The chrysalis is
the pupa stage of a butterfly's lifecycle. A Monarch chrysalis
is usually attached to a milkweed plant ( Asclepias syriaca) --
Monarchs and milkweeds are intimately linked. Soon after this
Monarch emerged, it began its extraordinary 2,260 mi (3,640 km)
migration to the highlands of central Mexico. It's the great-great
descendant of the Monarch that left for Mexico the previous fall.

Photo details: Camera Model: NIKON D300; Focal Length: 105.0mm (35mm
equivalent: 157mm); Aperture: f/9.0; Exposure Time: 0.0031 s (1/320);
ISO equiv: 800.
* Stonecreek Ohio, Coordinates: 40.3975, -81.5589

Related EPODs

Archive - Monarch Butterfly and Chrysalis Four Seasons of
Wisteria White-mouth Dayflower in Bloom The Corn Lily: Toxic
Beauty of the North American West Miniscule Mushrooms in Washington
The Fraser Fir - The Comeback Kid in the Smoky Mountains
More...

Plant Links

* Discover Life
* Tree Encyclopedia
* What are Phytoplankton?
* Encyclopedia of Life - What is a Plant?
* USDA Plants Database
* University of Texas Native Plant Database
* Plants in Motion
* What Tree is It?

-
Earth Science Picture of the Day is a service of the Universities
Space Research Association.

https://epod.usra.edu

--- up 3 weeks, 1 day, 21 hours, 55 minutes
* Origin: -=> Castle Rock BBS <=- Now Husky HPT Powered! (21:1/186)