The butterfly effect is a scientific concept coined 50 years ago today, and it has become a literary and metaphorical term to describe the idea that the smallest change may have massive, worldwide implications. It is often associated with chaos theory. American mathematician and meteorologist Edward Norton Lorenz theorized that the flapping of a butterfly"s wings, like those of the silver-studded blue butterflies you see in today"s image, could weeks later influence the formation of a tornado.
Silver-studded blue butterflies
Today in History
More Desktop Wallpapers:
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International Tiger Day
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Grasmere, Lake District, Cumbria, England
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Venture into a prehistoric gallery of art
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Atop the roof of Africa
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A Portuguese fort takes a star turn
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First day of summer
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Cousins Day
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Summertime in Alaska
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Aspens in the White River National Forest, Colorado
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Fire-damaged forest near Wolf Creek Pass, Colorado
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Endangered Species Day
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The Canary Islands, Spain
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National Blueberry Day
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Cheetah mother and cub
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An enduring vision
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Milky Way over Zabriskie Point, California
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Happy Independence Day!
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A long winter’s nap, perhaps?
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Moose, Denali National Park, Alaska
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Life in the slow lane
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Is this Minecraft headquarters?
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International Day of Peace
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Halo around the sun
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Spring blooms in the Netherlands
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Observing World Braille Day in Bavaria
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Of moose and Maine
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In praise of the old…the very old
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Diwali
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These patterns tell a story
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All hail the king of shrubs