QUESTION YOUR WORLD - WATER YOU TALKING ABOUT?

Water we talking about?!?!? We're talking about two hydrogen atoms forged together with one oxygen atom. The merging of these two elements has been monumental to life as we know it here on Earth! Every person you know and most every single living thing on this planet needs water. For us humans, we need about 8-12 glasses of delicious fresh water. So, how much fresh water is there on this planet anyway? Well, most of the Earth is covered in water. A beautiful blue liquid carpet coats nearly 70% of the Earth's surface. Despite its abundance, we can't actually use all of that. We humans need fresh water (not salt water that seems to own the monopoly on our oceans). It's pretty amazing to consider that only 2.5% of all the water on our entire planet is useable for drinking. Oh but there's more! That 2.5% fresh water statistic is accurate, but not very useful for us considering that it factors in all the water that's frozen in ice, running below our feet, in the atmosphere, plants, and animals. So, what even smaller amount is useable by us? A little less than 0.4% of the water on this planet is available for all of us to use for drinking! That's right, the seven billion plus global population has to share a little less than 0.4% of the water on this planet,thus making it one of our most precious resources. So, I guess it’s true when we're told to turn off the tap when we're not using it, because that water is a very special part of this Earth and our lives and we certainly should not be wasting it.

Aside from keeping humans hydrated, water serves a few other important tasks. We need fresh water to grow all of our delicious foods! Everything from your morning coffee to your late night ice cream snack requires the use of this awesome substance, water! Also, don't forget, we're not alone...your pets, those birds you hear when you go outside, the animals you see on TV, and most any other critter needs the same thing that keeps us going, yep...you guessed it, water!

Some more info on this amazing and rare resource: water facts
Also, water's good for you!!: water for the body

Celebrate Earth Day

This Earth Day, I could pass along “green” tips on how to save energy and reduce your carbon footprint, but I will save that for another time. Instead, let me make a suggestion: go OUTSIDE this weekend! Take your dog for a walk, plant a vegetable garden, play outdoor games with your children, visit a local park, take a hike and look for wildlife, or just sit in the sun and appreciate its warmth (with appropriate sunscreen, of course).


If you are a bit more ambitious, visit an Earth Day Festival near you – the Richmond Earth Day Festival will be held Saturday, April 23 in the New Manchester District on the south end of the 14th Street Bridge. Streets will be blocked off and filled with artists, vendors, farmers and fun activities for all ages.

You could also visit the Science Museum of Virginia and explore the energy exhibits, such as New Energy Virginia, Watt Wall, Virginia Tech Solar House and others. When you are ready to get off your feet, enjoy a breathtaking film in the IMAX Dome. And don’t forget the popcorn!

Happy Earth Day, y’all!

Is It Winter Yet? Maybe, Maybe Not…

Snow frozen onto a tree in Germany.
Photo courtesy of Wikipedia

Tuesday, December 21, is the Winter Solstice and usually considered the first day of winter. However, meteorological winter is already here! So what’s the deal? Well, the definition of winter depends on whom you ask.

A meteorologist defines winter as the three coldest months of the year: December, January and February. An astronomer defines winter as the three months between the Winter Solstice (December 21 or 22) and the Spring or Vernal Equinox (March 20 or 21). What’s the difference?

The definition of meteorological winter is fairly straightforward. Climatologically-speaking, the three coldest months of the year are December, January and February in the Northern Hemisphere. Therefore, meteorological winter begins on December 1 and ends on February 28 (or 29). In the Southern Hemisphere, the seasons are reversed, meaning if you lived in Rio or Buenos Aires, summer would begin in December and winter would begin in June.

Astronomical winter begins on the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year. The Earth has seasons and variable daylight hours because its axis is tilted 23.5° relative to its orbit around the sun. Winter in the Northern Hemisphere occurs when the northern half of the planet is tilted away from the sun. This tilt causes sun’s energy to be weaker on the Earth’s surface because:

• The sun shines on the Earth’s surface at an oblique angle.
• The sun’s energy is spread out over a larger area, diluting its strength. 
• The sun’s rays travel through more atmosphere before they reach the surface. 
• Days are shorter so there is less time for the sun to heat the surface. 

Less energy from the sun on the Earth’s surface means colder temperatures in the atmosphere – so winter arrives. For more information, check out last year’s blog about the Winter Solstice: http://sciencemuseumofvirginia.blogspot.com/2009/12/winter-solstice.html

Here are some questions for you to ponder:

• If the Earth’s axis had no tilt, would we have seasons? 
• If the tilt was at a greater angle, what would our seasons be like? 
• Do you think other planets in the solar system have seasons too? 
• How did Earth’s axis get tilted in the first place?