Category: SCI/TECH
Putting the Size of the Observable Universe in Perspective
The age of the universe is about 13.75 billion years. The diameter of the observable universe is estimated at about 28 billion parsecs (93 billion light-years). As a reminder, a light-year is a unit of length equal to just under 10 trillion kilometres (or about 6 trillion miles). The Observable Universe consists of the…
21 Epic Photos of the Red Bull Stratos Space Jump
Austria’s Felix Baumgartner earned his place in the history books on Sunday October 14, 2012 after overcoming concerns with the power for his visor heater that impaired his vision and nearly jeopardized the mission. Baumgartner reached an estimated speed of 1,342.8 km/h (834.37 mph) jumping from the stratosphere, which when certified will make him…
A Photo Tour of Google Data Centers Around the World
Earlier today, Google released a massive gallery of pictures of their Data Centers around the world. In an effort for greater transparency, Google also published a guided tour on YouTube and even a Street View tour of their data center in Lenoir, North Carolina. With 13 data centers around the world (7 in the…
The Top 75 ‘Pictures of the Day’ for 2012
*Update: The Top 100 ‘Pictures of the Day’ for 2012 have just been published. Click here to check out the most up-to-date post! After the positive reception from last year’s “Top 50 ‘Pictures of the Day’ for 2011“, the Sifter promised to highlight the top 25 ‘Pictures of the Day‘ at the end of…
Picture of the Day: A Submarine Surfaces Through Arctic Ice
A SUBMARINE SURFACES THROUGH ARCTIC ICE Photograph by Tiffini M. Jones, U.S. Navy The US Navy attack submarine USS Annapolis (SSN 760) rests in the Arctic Ocean after surfacing through three feet of ice during Ice Exercise 2009 on March 21, 2009. The two-week training exercise, which is used to test…
25 Billboards with Fascinating Science Facts
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, Science World is a not-for-profit organization/facility dedicated spreading the awe and wonder of science for kids and adults alike. In collaboration with their long-term advertising agency partners Rethink, Science World are well known in Canada for their award-winning outdoor and ambient media campaigns. From billboards and bus shelters…
Picture of the Day: The Highest of All Clouds
THE HIGHEST OF ALL CLOUDS Photograph by Kelly Speelman/National Science Federation In this photo by Kelly Speelman of the National Science Federation, we see Nacreous clouds observed on January 6, 2011. These polar stratospheric clouds at 80,000 feet (24,384 m) are the highest of all clouds. They only occur in the…
