Celebrate Earth Science Week with these 9 big ideas

Earth Science Week starts October 14, 2012. This post has links to activities, plus the 9 big idea in Earth science. Enjoy and appreciate Earth!

Why so many (or so few) species?

Scientists assumed that, the longer time a group of organisms has to evolve, the more species there will be in that group. New research suggests this isn't necessarily so.

Aurora alert for night of October 13, 2012

Geomagnetic storm that spawned auroras in early morning hours today is still underway. Auroras or northern lights likely for those at northerly latitudes tonight!

El Niño trying to form, but just barely

Last spring, NOAA announced that an El Niño could develop by Fall 2012 and would likely influence the global weather conditions. What's up with El Niño?

How the octopus got its rings

It's one of the more venomous creatures in the Pacific Ocean. The blue-ringed octopus has a unique way of changing its look.

How does a bee colony replace its queen?

In response to the absence of the queen's scent, the workers begin a process of "emergency queen rearing."

The Weather Channel decides to name winter storms

The Weather Channel will begin to name significant winter storms that will impact large areas for the 2012-2013 winter season. See their list.

Magnetic pole reversal not a sign of doomsday

Earth's magnetic field has flipped its polarity many times over the millennia.

View from space: Aurora stretching across Quebec and Ontario on October 8

Orbiting satellite acquired view of an aurora, seen from above, on October 8, 2012. These northern lights resulted from a storm on the sun several days earlier.

James Holden explores life thriving in deep, hot undersea vents

Deep in cracks of hot undersea volcanoes, microbes inhale hydrogen and carbon dioxide and exhale methane. They might help scientists understand life beyond Earth.