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It s Computer Science Education Week
It s Computer Science Education Week
Are we looking at some sort of steampunk time machine? Not quite, but these clock-like rotors did help alter the course of history. The action took place during World War II at England"s Bletchley Park, a country estate that served as a top-secret facility. An assembled team, including the pioneering computer scientist Alan Turing, developed this device, known as a Bombe machine. It was instrumental in cracking the Germans" "uncrackable" Enigma code, which was used for encrypting secret messages in German war operations. The Enigma code was itself generated by a rotor-driven machine that re-scrambled the code each day—so the Bombe mirrored those mechanics to keep up with the changing encryption. Insights the Bombe and other programmable machines provided into enemy military plans helped to speed the Allies" eventual triumph—some even argue that the codebreakers" efforts won the war.Desktop Version
Paradise, found
Paradise, found
If your dream is to experience a tropical paradise that"s still largely untouched by people, you could do worse than a trip to Raja Ampat, an archipelago in the province of West Papua, Indonesia. Most of the region"s 50,000 inhabitants live on or around its four main islands, Batanta, Misool, Salawati, and Waigeo. The remainder of Raja Ampat is made up of roughly 1,500 smaller islands, cays, and shoals—astonishingly, hundreds of these tiny islands have yet to be explored by humans.Desktop Version
A sleeping green giant
A sleeping green giant
We"re looking down on Chu Dang Ya, an extinct volcano that last erupted millions of years ago. Located in Gia Lai province in the Central Highlands of Vietnam, Chu Dang Ya means "wild ginger" or perhaps "tough ginger root" in the local Jarai language. The volcano provides fertile soil for crops such as pumpkins, sweet potatoes, taro, and more. Among the best times to visit this rural gem is at the beginning of the rainy season, in late April and early May, and as the rains wind down in November. That"s when Chu Dang Ya takes it up a notch—its hillsides erupt with sunflower and other wildflower blooms along roadways, dirt paths, and fields.Desktop Version
Colorful cows of the reef
Colorful cows of the reef
These brightly colored parrotfish are swimming off the coast of Negros Oriental province in the Philippines. There are dozens of species of parrotfish and they live in abundant numbers in the world"s tropical seas. These thick-bodied fish have large scales and a beak of fused teeth they use to diligently scrape delicious algae from reefs and rocks. Some also eat coral, which they grind up with plate-like teeth in their throats. Researchers say parrotfish play a critical role in the health of coral reefs by eating algae that can choke off coral growth. They also help replenish the white sandy beaches near these tropical reefs. How? After parrotfish digest the edible parts of coral, they excrete what"s left as sand—a lot of sand. In some species, a single parrotfish can poop almost 1,000 pounds of pearly white sand each year. But never mind that—some trivia is best not to dwell on.Desktop Version
Prague, Czech Republic
Prague, Czech Republic
As a haze of blowing snow diffuses the streetlights of Prague, try to count the steeples, belfries, turrets, and towers that make up the Czech capital"s skyline. You may lose count like 19th-century travel writers did when they dubbed Prague the City of 100 Spires. The number is closer to 500 currently.Desktop Version
Te Rewa Rewa Bridge near New Plymouth, New Zealand
Te Rewa Rewa Bridge near New Plymouth, New Zealand
This pedestrian and cycle bridge lets residents and visitors in the North Island city of New Plymouth cross the Waiwhakaiho River while marveling at the span’s artistic design. Said to resemble both a breaking wave and a whale skeleton, the bridge is meant to invoke the sacred relationship of the indigenous Māori people with the land, sea, and wind. On one side is an old Māori burial ground, so great care was taken in the design and structure of the bridge—an attempt to interfere as little as possible with the Māori site. From the view in this photo, Mount Taranaki lurks in the background.Desktop Version
Making it work—in Norway
Making it work—in Norway
Springtime is high-fashion season for the ruff. In wetlands across northern Europe and Asia, these medium-sized waders gather in marshes to form leks, which are small breeding areas used for courtship displays. Dominant males (also called independents) like the fancy fellow on our homepage, fluff up their colored and intricately patterned capes and collars and mock fight with each other. Their aim? Each wants to secure a prime spot on the lek to showcase his finery and entice watching females to choose him as a mate.Desktop Version
Why do elephants hide in trees?
Why do elephants hide in trees?
…Because they"re so good at it. Although none are as skilled at self-concealment as this specimen from the Loxodonta genus of African elephants—namely the species laprofolis, better known as the common chia elephant. While it"s the well-known habit of other pachyderms to paint their toenails red and hide in cherry trees, the chia elephant"s defense is even more unique: After a nice roll in the mud, the elephant charges through patches of seeding chia plants, picking up thousands of seeds that stick on its grooved hide. In under a week—just add water!—the seeds sprout and develop into dense, leafy growths that allow the elephant to conveniently camouflage itself as it wanders the savanna. The curious creature has even been reported to disguise itself as a houseplant, duping homeowners into hosting a literal elephant in the room.Desktop Version
Perfect timing
Perfect timing
If the first day of daylight saving time doesn"t have you springing for joy, this towering timekeeper might be more your speed. The astronomical clock at Lyon Cathedral in France was built in 1660, centuries before daylight saving time was widely adopted in the 20th century. The clock"s intersecting hands and dials don"t just tell time, they form a flattened model of our planet that tracks the positions of the sun and moon relative to Earth. The zodiac dial, offset to account for the planet"s rotational tilt, shows the star sign currently in season.Desktop Version
It’s Napping Day
It’s Napping Day
Despite this group-nap pose, sanderlings are active birds that migrate extremely long distances every year. In spring they fly from South America and Africa to the High Arctic beaches and river banks of North America, Europe, and Asia. Once they’ve laid eggs and raised their young, they head back south again, stopping on beaches along the way to stitch their needlelike beaks into the sand for insect-sized crustaceans. Having lost an hour due to the start of daylight saving time yesterday, these sanderlings are celebrating Napping Day by sleeping on a beach in Terschelling, Netherlands.Desktop Version
National Park Week: Guadalupe Mountains National Park
National Park Week: Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Cactus flowers and historic landmarks await visitors at this national park east of El Paso, Texas. Here you’ll find the four largest peaks in Texas, as well as towering El Capitan, a dramatic looking peak that was used as a landmark by stagecoach drivers delivering passengers and mail. Visitors here can view the ruins of the stage line and visit Frijole Ranch–once a center of ranching in this mountain range. Ancient rock art and pottery indicate people lived here as early as 10,000 years ago.Desktop Version
The puffin-rabbit connection
The puffin-rabbit connection
Atlantic puffins spend most of their lives at sea—either flying over the surf as they migrate and search for fishing spots, or diving into the water to gobble up fish. But in spring and summer they come ashore to nest, meet up with their mates, and with any luck, raise a chick or two. Puffins can dig their own burrows, as they prefer to build nests underground atop seaside cliffs. But if there are rabbit warrens around, the puffins have no problem moving into empty burrows. They’re not even above kicking a rabbit out to take over.Desktop Version
Brotherly cubs
Brotherly cubs
They"re adorable to be sure, but we"re betting these two Kermode bear siblings are a handful (hang in there, mama bear!). We"re featuring them in honor of Siblings Day, an annual celebration of the bond between children who share one or more parent in common. Kermode bears are a subspecies of the American black bear, although they"re obviously not always black. They have a recessive gene that sometimes results in fur that"s cream- or white-colored. While most Kermode bears are black, scientists estimate that between 10% and 20% of the population have ivory coats. Known as "spirit bears," they are special to the indigenous peoples of the British Columbia coastal regions where they live.Desktop Version
Celebrating Helsinki’s birthday at the Kiasma Museum
Celebrating Helsinki’s birthday at the Kiasma Museum
Greetings from Helsinki, the capital of the world’s happiest country. Edgy-looking sites like the Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art—shown here—sure make the city look young for its 468 years. This year Helsinki has twice the reason to celebrate, as Finland received a #1 ranking in the 2018 World Happiness Report, a UN publication that ranks countries based on characteristics like income, health, freedom, and social support.Desktop Version
It s Bermuda s big day
It s Bermuda s big day
We"re gazing down at Marley Beach on the southwest coast of Bermuda in honor of Bermuda Day, a public holiday celebrated near the end of May. The event was first established on this British island territory in 1902, to honor Queen Victoria"s birthday the year after her death, but it has evolved into a celebration of the culture. Since 2018, it"s been observed on the last Friday of May. Locals celebrate the end of winter on this day with a swim or boat ride. Today"s holiday also marks the date when islanders transition to a summer wardrobe at work. For the next several months, Bermuda shorts, which hit just above the knee, will be considered appropriate business attire for the island"s most dapper gentlemen.Desktop Version
Lights, camera, Sundance
Lights, camera, Sundance
The Sundance Film Festival begins today in Utah, bringing glitz and glamour to the ski town of Park City. When it first launched in 1978, the goal of the festival was to highlight American-made films and attract filmmakers to Utah. Robert Redford has long been involved in the festival, serving as chairman at the first event and in the years since, helping it become the media extravaganza it is today. In 1984 Redford’s Sundance Institute took over management of the festival, hence the ‘Sundance’ name, which comes from the name of the character he played in ‘Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.’ In its 41-year history, Sundance has become perhaps the premier showcase for American independent and documentary film. We look forward to seeing what innovative new films steal the limelight in 2019.Desktop Version
Replica of a Viking home in Dublin National Botanic Gardens, Ireland
Replica of a Viking home in Dublin National Botanic Gardens, Ireland
One of the more recent additions to the National Botanical Gardens in Dublin is this Viking house. This structure was hand-built in 2014 using 11th-century tools and represents what a typical Vikiing home looked like in this region. The home is roughly 340 square feet, a typical dwelling in Dublin 1,000 years ago.Desktop Version
It s Republic Day in India
It s Republic Day in India
For India"s 70th Republic Day, we"re featuring an uncommon view of the Taj Mahal in Agra. It"s on this day that India celebrates its official beginning as an independent democratic republic after having endured nearly a century of British rule. Republic Day events include presentations of the Padma Awards (national service honors), a Republic Day parade in New Delhi, and other ceremonies.Desktop Version
Hiking the High Trestle Trail
Hiking the High Trestle Trail
The unique 130-foot-tall bridge you see here is just a small part of a longer 25-mile trail that connects five small towns in central Iowa. The High Trestle Trail is a rail trail—a decommissioned railroad track that’s been turned into a multiuse trail—and it follows the path of an old Union Pacific Railroad freight line. The rail-to-trail movement began in the 1960s when many railroad tracks began to be removed and people noted that the relatively flat rail corridors were perfect for hiking and biking trails. We can now enjoy thousands of miles of rail trails throughout the US. So today, on National Trails Day, find a trail near you and get outside to celebrate.Desktop Version
Everybody loves World Turtle Day
Everybody loves World Turtle Day
Our be-shelled buddy lives in Yasuni National Park in the Ecuadorian Amazon. The park is considered one of Earth’s most diverse ecosystems—and a great place to celebrate World Turtle Day. The observance focuses on protecting turtles and tortoises, and the habitats they call home. About those butterflies: They’re licking salt and other minerals off the yellow-spotted river turtle’s face. And now you know that’s a thing that some butterfly species do.Desktop Version
Sunburst at Angkor
Sunburst at Angkor
The spring equinox finds us at Angkor Wat, the most famous Buddhist temple in Angkor Archaeological Park. The park is essentially a 154-square-mile collection of historic temples and related holy sites just outside the city of Siem Reap, Cambodia. On the equinox, when the sun rises it aligns with the top of the main tower at Angkor Wat before climbing farther into the sky to usher in longer days and shorter nights. Of course, if this photo is any indication, every sunrise at Angkor Wat is spectacular.Desktop Version
The Vestibule at Diocletian s Palace, Split, Croatia
The Vestibule at Diocletian s Palace, Split, Croatia
You’re looking at the view from the Vestibule inside Diocletian’s Palace, an ancient landmark in the city of Split, Croatia. Built in the early 4th century, the building served as the beachside retirement home for Roman Emperor Diocletian. As much a fortress as a palace, it also housed Diocletian’s military garrison. Built mainly of limestone and marble, the palace also features Egyptian granite columns and originally contained several 3,500-year-old Egyptian sphinxes, three of which remain today. Look familiar? The site was a filming location for the fourth season of the TV series ‘Game of Thrones.’Desktop Version
Pups of the prairie
Pups of the prairie
These swift fox pups make their home in Grasslands National Park in Saskatchewan, Canada. Historically, the range of this cat-sized fox stretched across the short grass prairies of Canada down through the central US to the Texas Panhandle. But as agriculture and settlements overtook open grasslands, swift fox numbers declined precipitously. By the 1930s, they had completely disappeared from the wild in Canada.Desktop Version
Eurasian scops owl
Eurasian scops owl
In the owl world, you"re either a member of the Strigidae or Tytonidae. That might sound like two warring houses from "Game of Thrones," but these are the two families of classification that make up the 200+ species of owls around the world. The Tytonidae family includes barn owls, which have distinct heart-shaped facial disks, while the larger Strigidae family consists of true (or typical) owls, most of which have round faces.Desktop Version
Ring of fire
Ring of fire
No, this isn"t some kind of early promo for "Halo Infinite." Today"s homepage image shows an annular solar eclipse captured in New Mexico in 2012. ("Annular" is just a fancy word for doughnut-shaped.) It"s not unlike the eclipse some northerly parts of the world will enjoy tomorrow.Desktop Version