Category: Curiosities of Nature

Crowdfunding the 3D Nile Crocodile – Outside & In

When you say 3D digital model, people think of something like a molded plastic toy, just on your computer. When artist Mieke Roth does a 3D model of an animal, she means the whole animal. She models it inside and out.

Crocodile Dissected - Mieke Roth

Artist Mieke Roth created a 3D model of an octopus and its internal organs. Now she is working on a 3D model of a Nile crocodile with the assistance of researcher John Hutchinson. To help fund the project, Mieke has an IndieGoGo fundraiser running through the end of tomorrow (15 March 2013, 11:59PM PT).

It’s like being in an episode of Inside Nature’s Giants, but without all the mess and smell (for us, it’s pretty messy & smelly for Mieke).

Meet the Ping-pong Tree Sponge

789a987a5a5c5e3d_mbari_chondrocladia_72The aptly named Ping-pong tree sponge (Chondrocladia lampadiglobus) is a carnivorous sponge. At first glance, you may think “I want that mid-century modern lamp” or “that sponge is adorable”, but the Ping-pong tree sponge is a stone-cold carnivorous killer. Those ping-pong ball looking things are covered in tiny spicules which the sponge uses to catch tiny crustaceans.

Check out another sponge in the same genus-the harp sponge (Chondrocladia lyra).

“Meet the…” is a collaboration between The Finch & Pea and Nature Afield to bring Nature’s amazing creatures into your home.

Today is NOT “Pi Day”

pidayIt may officially be Pi Day, but that doesn’t make it right1. The 14th of March is perhaps the least educational date we could pick for Pi Day. True, π=3.14; and, true, today’s date is 3-14 (using nonsensical American notation). That tells us what π is, approximately, it does not teach us what π means. Continue reading “Today is NOT “Pi Day””

Ye Olde Meteoroid

Source: theratzingerforum.yuku.com via minouette on Pinterest
Source: theratzingerforum.yuku.com via minouette on Pinterest

In the wake of the Russian meteorite over Chelyabinsk, Russia, Minouette compiled a fascinating look at how objects from space running into our fair planet have inspired art throughout of human history.

 

Witten’s Rules of Astonishment

Recently, Mike and I have found ourselves discussing several research studies with supposedly “surprising” results. While the work involved appears solid and the details of the phenomena were certainly amazing, we struggled to understand why the general phenomenon was “surprising”. Amazing, yes. Unexpected, no.  After years of such discussions, Mike has asked me to write down Witten’s Rules of Astonishment*. Continue reading “Witten’s Rules of Astonishment”