This full moon is the closest and largest full moon of the year 2013.

Full moon falls on June 23, 2013 at 11:32 UTC (6:32 a.m. CDT in the U.S.). Thus, for many, the moon appears about as full in the June 22 evening sky as it does on the evening of June 23. This full moon is not only the closest and largest full moon of the year. It also presents the moon’s closest encounter with Earth for all of 2013. The moon will not be so close again until August, 2014. In other words, it’s not just a super moon. It’s the closest super moon of 2013.

The word “super moon” was first used 30 years ago by astrologer Richard Nolle, but has only come into popular usage since 2011

Astronomers call this sort of close full moon a perigee full moon. The word perigeedescribes the moon’s closest point to Earth for a given month.

Perigee moons are about 14 percent bigger and 30 percent brighter than moons on the far end of the body's orbit from Earth, according to NASA. And the full moon will enhance our perception of its size.

The moon is the easiest celestial object to find in the night sky — when it's there. Moon phases and the moon's orbit are a mystery to many. Because it takes 27.3 days both to rotate on its axis and to orbit Earth, the Moon always shows us the same face. We see the Moon because of reflected sunlight. How much of it we see depends on its position in relation to Earth and the Sun.

Though a satellite of Earth, the Moon is bigger than Pluto. Some scientists think of it as a planet (four other moons in our solar system are even bigger), though that viewpoint has never caught on officially. There are various theories about how the Moon was created, but recent evidence indicates it formed when a huge collision tore a chunk of the Earth away.

Orbital characteristics of Earth's moon

• Average Distance from Earth: 238,855 miles (384,400 km)
• Perigee (closest approach to Earth): 225,700 miles (363,300 km)
• Apogee (farthest distance from Earth): 252,000 miles (405,500 km)

Interesting Fact:

The moon's gravitational pull might have been key to making Earth a livable planet by moderating the degree of wobble in Earth's axial tilt, which led to a relatively stable climate over billions of years where life could flourish.

Observe holes like structures on the Moon through telescope?

We call those holes "craters.They are the places where many years ago meteors hit the surface of the moon and put dents into it. There are thousands of big craters, but even more little ones. There are probably millions of little craters on the moon! Craters on the Moon range in size from as small as one inch to over 100 miles across.

The Moon is very hot during the day but very cold at night. The average surface temperature of the Moon is 107 degrees Celsius during the day and -153 degrees Celsius at night.

Why are some parts of the moon darker than others?

The reason that some parts of the moon are darker is as follows: The dark parts of the moon are called "Maria". These parts of the moon during the heavy bombardment period (in the early solar system when meteors were MUCH more common) were hit by large enough meteors to penetrate the crust and were close enough to the mantle for molten metal to flow through the crater. The crater would fill with this molten metal which is rich with iron, giving off a darker look.

How did the moon get its name?

Old English word for the moon was mona. In Latin it was mensis. In Greek it was mene (mee-nee). The words moon and month come from the same roots. That is probably because a month was originally measured by the phases of the moon.

Year	Date	Distance
2011	March 19	356,575 km
2012	May 6	356,955 km
2013	June 23	356,991 km
2014	August 10	356,896 km
2015	September 28	356,877 km
2016	November 14	356,509 km

How often is moon both full and closest to Earth? Closest full moons recur in cycles of 14 lunar (synodic) months, because 14 lunar months almost exactly equal 15 returns to perigee (moon’s closest point to Earth). A lunar month refers to the time period between successive full moons, a mean period of 29.53059 days. An anomalistic month refers to successive returns to perigee, a period of 27.55455 days. Hence:

14 x 29.53059 days = 413.428 days
15 x 27.55455 days = 413.318 days

This time period is equal to about 1 year, 1 month, and 18 days. The full moon and perigee will realign again on August 10, 2014, because the 14th full moon after the 2013 June 23 full moon will fall on that date.

Looking further into the future, the perigee full moon will come closer than 356,500 kilometers for the first time in the 21st century on November 25, 2034 (356,446 km). The closest full moon of the 21st century will fall on December 6, 2052 (356,425 km).

For the moon to come closer than 356,400 kilometers (221,457 miles) is quite a feat. In fact, this won’t happen at all in the 21st century (2001-2100) or the 22nd century (2101-2200). The last time the full moon perigee swung this close to Earth was on January 14, 1930 (356,397 km), and the next time won’t be till January 1, 2257 (356,371 km).

From tree to Paper:curious

Central air conditioning is bad for your health

Central air conditioning is used in homes and businesses worldwide, but many of central air's negative effects get little recognition. Central air conditioning is essential in hot climates and makes summertime more comfortable. However, central air conditioning can aggravate certain health issues and contaminate the air with organic particles. It has even been liked to the spread of disease, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Aggravates Respiratory Conditions

Central air conditioners create condensation on the cooling coils and in drain pans that can grow microorganisms and mold, according to the August 2004 "International Journal of Epidemiology." These are spread throughout the home by the central air conditioning ventilation system. People who suffer from asthma, bronchitis or other respiratory illnesses can get serious lung infections, shortness of breath, wheezing or other severe reactions, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The CDC also noted that mold from central air conditioners can affect healthy individuals, causing wheezing, coughing and upper respiratory tract symptoms.

Indoor Air Contamination

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) warns that indoor air pollutants might be greater than contaminated air outside. Because people spend a majority of their time indoors, this increases risk factors for people with respiratory problems and cardiovascular disease. Central air conditioning units, according to the EPA, can spread indoor pollutants such as bacteria, molds, mildew, viruses, pollen and animal dander. Outdoor air is necessary to reduce the amount of air pollutants in the home. Central air units do not bring fresh air into the home, and therefore they do not help reduce the concentrations of indoor pollutants.

Spread Disease

Central air conditioning has been linked to the spread of Legionnaires’ disease at a Memphis, Tenn., hospital, according to the February 1980 issue of the "New England Journal of Medicine." An air conditioning cooling tower was found to have L. pneumophila in the water. Air intakes near the auxiliary cooling tower spread the disease, which caused 44 people to fall ill with Legionnaires’ disease.

Can Cause Workplace Illness

In a study published in the Aug. 19, 2004, "International Journal of Epidemiology," people working in office buildings with central air conditioning had more symptoms of illness than those who did not work in buildings with central air. The symptoms included headache, fatigue, mucous membrane irritation, breathing difficulties and skin irritations. The study noted that a likely explanation is central air conditioning ventilation systems spread contaminants in the air.

The EPA notes that “Sick Building Syndrome” refers to symptoms associated with large numbers of people getting sick in a building, but when they leave the building, their symptoms disappear. The sicknesses might be caused by poor air conditioning ventilation systems.

References

• "International Journal of Epidemiology": Air Conditioning as a Risk for Increased Use of Health Services
• Center for Disease Control: Facts About Mold and Dampness
• National Institutes of Health: An Outbreak of Legionnaires' Disease Associated with a Contaminated Air-Conditioning Cooling Tower
• Environmental Protection Agency: A Guide to Indoor Air Quality
• "New England Journal of Medicine": An Outbreak of Legionnaires' Disease Associated with a Contaminated Air-Conditioning Cooling Tower

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/160205-negative-health-effects-of-central-air-conditioning/#ixzz2TobJMKZy

PLAYING IN MUD IS GOOD

“Stop! You’re getting grass stains all over your pants!”

“Dear, please get that mud off your hands!”

“What are you doing?! No, you can’t eat mud pies!”

How many children have heard these words? From an early age, we are trained to be clean, learning to destroy dirt and microbes with an arsenal of various chemical soaps, wipes, and anti-bacterial sanitizers to make our living conditions as sterile as possible. We try to banish signs of dirt at all costs in westernized culture, making that dirt caked underneath your fingernails after gardening taboo. Have we really become that detached from the ground beneath our feet; the life-giving earth that sustains our very existence? Theoretically, by keeping clean, a person was once able to give the appearance of a being of a higher social standing (think lords vs. peasants during medieval times). Ironically, in our modern age of science, we have realized that dirt harbors many benefits, soour normally pristine well-off pay hundreds of dollars to lay on a sterile, white table and have their body smothered in only the finest exotic mud. Yep, plain ol’ microbial mud. Luckily, you don’t have to pay hundreds to smear mud all over your body.

Are you curious as to why anyone would smother themselves in mud? Here are some of mud’s not-so-dirty secrets…

Strengthen the immune system. Playing in dirt and being exposed to the millions of tiny microbes that thrive in it can actually boost the immune system – especially a child’s. Humans that live in a sterile environment are less able to combat harmful bacteria when they come across it, due to seclusion from any bacteria. Why? Well, our gut is filled with pounds of microbes that carry intrinsic value in helping our bodies function smoothly. If you are unfamiliar with the workings of your little gut hitchhikers, this article provides good context in relation to weight loss. Your health relies on the presence of microbes more than you would think. Immune-wise, being exposed to these microbes actually allows the body to build up anti-bodies to the harmful ones, while reaping countless benefits from the good ones. Children, and even adults, who are too clean are actually at a greater risk for developing allergies, asthma, and other auto-immune diseases.

Exercise can also strengthen immunity and boost happiness. Try biking!

Try unplugging from technology for a bit…

Boost happiness. Mycobacterium vaccae, a soil-dwelling bacteria, was shown to increase the brain’s production of serotonin, as much as exercise and anti-depressants, according to a study by Bristol University. Plus, it’s just plain fun to play in the dirt, young or old!

Detox the body. Certain clays, when ingested, can actually pull toxins out from the body. Many animals practice geophagy after eating highly toxic plants, which is the act of eating clay or soil as self-medication. These healing clays, being negatively-charged, magnetically draw in the toxins, which are almost always positively-charged. The clay is then excreted, with all of the toxins bound up in its swelled, sponge-like interior. Need a real-world example? Here are some of the benefits of clay. Also, check out this study involving Peruvian parrots, their toxic diets, and geophagy. Clay is also great for the skin, minimizing the size of and drawing impurities from pores. Try a mask of equal parts calcium bentonite clay and apple cider vinegar for 15-20 minutes to cleanse and soothe the skin

Read more: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/the-not-so-dirty-truth-about-dirt.html#ixzz2SbP41TcR

Village in India plants 111 trees every time a girl is born

© Landesa

All too often, it seems that an increase in human population must come at a cost to the environment, like in straining resources and encroachment on once wild habitats. But one quaint village in India has adopted a wonderfully eco-conscious tradition that is actually helping to ensure a greener future with each new generation.

While in some parts of India, many expectant parents still say they'd prefer bearing sons, members of the Piplantri village, in the western state of Rajasthan, are breaking this trend by celebrating the birth of each baby girl in way that benefits everyone. For every female child that's born, the community gathers to plant 111 fruit trees in her honor in the village common.

This unique tradition was first suggested by the village's former leader, Shyam Sundar Paliwal, in honor of his daughter who had passed away at a young age.

But planting trees is only one way that the community is ensuring a brighter future for their daughters. According to a report in The Hindu, villagers also pool together around $380 dollars for every new baby girl and deposited in an account for her. The girl's parents are required to contribute $180, and to make a pledge to be considerate guardians.

“We make these parents sign an affidavit promising that they would not marry her off before the legal age, send her to school regularly and take care of the trees planted in her name,” says Paliwal.

Over the last six years alone, as population there has increased, villagers in Piplantri have planted nearly a quarter million trees -- a welcoming forest for the community's youngest members, offering a bit of shade for their brighter future.

if water on earth showed like a ball

The graphic shows various blue spheres representing relative amounts of Earth's water in comparison to the size of the Earth. Are you surprised that these water spheres look so small? They are only small in relation to the size of the Earth. These images attempt to show three dimensions, so each sphere represents "volume." Overall, it shows that in comparison to the volume of the globe the amount of water on the planet is very small - and the oceans are only a "thin film" of water on the surface.

If you took all the water on earth – in oceans, ice caps, lakes, rivers, groundwater, the atmosphere, and living things – and wrapped it into a sphere, it would have a diameter of about 860 miles. That 860-mile-high sphere is represented by the largest bubble in the picture, which stretches from Salt Lake City, Utah to Topeka, Kan. It has a volume of over 332 million cubic miles. If you popped this bubble with a giant pin, the resulting flow would cover the lower 48 states to a depth of about 107 miles.

Climate change will also impact water availability. Projections indicate a steady increase in temperature progressing through the 21st century, generally resulting in snowpack reductions, changes to the timing of snowmelt, altered streamflows, and reductions in soil moisture, all of which could affect water management, agriculture, recreation, hazard mitigation, and ecosystems across the nation. Despite some widespread similarities in climate change trends, climate change will affect specific water basins in the U.S. differently, based on the particular hydrologic and geologic conditions in that area. For example, USGS models project that changes to snow pack in the Sprague River Basin in Oregon (pictured above) could cause annual peak streamflows to occur earlier in the spring as overall basin storage decreases, which may force managers to modify storage operation and reprioritize water deliveries for environmental and human needs.

In reality, most of the largest bubble is stretched over about 70 percent of Earth’s surface, a very thin layer over the land. As we stare out into them, we think of oceans as vast expanses. And in many parts of the world we feel water-rich, even as we hear stories of regions where water is far from abundant. This graphic shows that this amount of water is not nearly as abundant as it may feel.

Furthermore, most of this water is unusable to humans, because we need freshwater to survive, and 98 percent of that large bubble is saline. The much smaller blue sphere over Kentucky – by comparison, about 169.5 miles in diameter – represents the world’s liquid freshwater, including groundwater, lakes, swamp water, and rivers. However, 99 percent of that bubble is groundwater, much of which is not accessible to humans.

Now we can start to answer the question, how much water is available to humans? Do you notice that tiny blue speck over Atlanta, Ga.? That’s the bubble representing freshwater in all the lakes and rivers on the planet. Most of the water that people and ecosystems need every day comes from these surface-water sources. The diameter of this sphere is a mere 34.9 miles, with a volume of a little over 22,000 cubic miles. The sphere looks tiny compared to, say, the Great Lakes region, which is the largest freshwater source on Earth. But keep in mind that tiny dot is about 35 miles high.

In 2005 Americans used about 328 billion gallons of surface water and about 82 billion gallons ofgroundwater per day. Surface water is used as the primary supply of drinking and irrigation water, but groundwater is used for these purposes too. Groundwater is also vital in keeping rivers and lakes full, and it provides water for people in places where visible water is scarce, such as in the desert towns of the western U.S.

Still – look again at the picture. It doesn’t seem like a lot of water! Certainly, it’s not. It’s important to remember that water is a precious resource. It’s never sitting still; it moves between the air, the land, underground, to the ocean and back again via the water cycle. USGS scientists conduct studies to understand how much water is available now and for the future, including how water flows through the water cycle, how surface water and groundwater interact, and how the quality of our water impacts availability. These studies are important for wise water use, especially as the world becomes increasingly water stressed.

Data behind this Graphic

Water Use in the U.S.

USGS Details Effects of Climate Change on Water Availability in 14 Local Basins Nationwide

For the first time in history ,wildlife facing threat from wildlife photographers apart from industries

Photographers Ruining Hesaraghatta – A Wake-up Call

by Seshadri KS, Krishna MB & Sunil Kumar

Document download

• Bird Photographers Ruining the Ecology of Hesaraghatta lake -- Original ReportPDF File

Vehicles in Hesaraghatta

KS Seshadri

In addition to permanent vehicle tracks, excessive vehicular movement causes significant disturbance to the birds and other wildlife.

A jackal chased by an SUV

Anonymous

As is evident, these activities damage the habitat and cause a great deal of stress to wild animals.

A rapid assessment study of the grasslands of Hesaraghatta, outside Bangalore, shows that unregulated and excessive vehicular movement of bird photographers is creating permanent vehicle tracks, causing significant disturbance to the feeding and foraging activities of birds, imposing severe stress on the local birdlife, as well as damaging the ecosystem for some rare butterflies. 

Conservation India condemns such unethical and insensitive photography and urges wildlife photographers to strictly adhere to the cardinal rule of nature photography — “The welfare of the subject and its habitat is far more important than the photograph.” In addition to the damage caused by photographers, which is documented below, CI has received several other reports from Hesaraghatta that include baiting of raptors and chasing jackals on the grasslands. Wildlife photographers as well as photography forums (where these images are shared) should have a zero-tolerance policy towards these practices, create peer pressure for better standards of ethical photography and should report photographers crossing the line.

In 2012, The Ministry of Environment & Forests banned photography of the Great Indian Bustard during its breeding season, to help protect the species from “unethical photography”. The birds and butterflies of the dry bed of the Hesaraghatta Lake, 30 km from Bangalore, may need the help of a similar ban soon, if photographers don’t exercise restraint and self-regulation.

The survey has revealed startling facts about the extent of damage caused by the vehicular movement of bird photographers that has led to the creation of permanent tracks on the dry lakebed, marking a steady increase of off-road driving activities from 2009. A shocking 43 kms of permanent tracks has been formed and these have not only inflicted severe damage to the vegetation in the area, but also allowed more car-borne photographers to chase down raptors, stressing them to the point of exhaustion. The area is home to the critically endangered and Indian endemic Lesser Florican (Sypheotides indicus), seen in Bangalore in these grasslands after a century, as well as rare butterflies, such as the Lilac Silverline (Apharitis lilacinus) seen in Bangalore after a gap of 103 years. The damaging vehicular movement affects all these species and the plants extensively.

The research team, consisting of ornithologists, wildlife biologists and seasoned birdwatchers, used a number of techniques to arrive at their conclusions. Apart from detailed vehicle counts, methods to assess vegetation damage included the use of GPS, Google Earth, tape measurements and analysis of photographs. Other observations included photographers chasing raptors to the point of exhaustion, flushing raptors and various grassland birds, thereby disturbing their feeding and foraging activities.

Given that, on average, 20 cars and SUVs drive around the area each day indulging in such behavior, it is expected that the birds of the area are under severe stress during the presence of these vehicles. An example of this behavior was witnessed when a number of vehicles were seen chasing a migrating European Roller (Coracias garrulous) relentlessly as it flushed from one open perch to another. The IUCN’s Red List lists this bird as ‘Vulnerable’, and its sightings are rare in Bangalore.

Considering that a third of all birds ever recorded from Bangalore are found in Hesaraghatta, and given the importance of grasslands and how little is left in Karnataka, the report concludes that it is imperative that some form of regulation on vehicular movement is needed in the area. Driving on the lakebed itself needs to stop completely. A number of options for protection abound, such as a legal ban, creation of a stakeholder committee, policing by the Forest Department and demarcation of pathways.

Considering India’s international commitments such as the Ramsar Convention and the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), implementation of one or more of these options is urgently required. This is especially so in the light of other serious conservation threats to Hesaraghatta.

---

Editor’s note: Unfortunately, this is not the only instance of damage and destruction by the new tribe of so-called nature photographers, whose interest in, and love for nature, are questionable. All they seem to be after is a ‘trophy’ in the form of a photograph and some fleeting glory on their Facebook page or on a nature photography website. The Hesaraghatta study is an eye opener and a wake-up call. This article should be shared widely so that a strong stigma is created against unethical and uncaring photographers everywhere. If the unsavoury practices mentioned in the article are not stopped through self-regulation, it would not surprise us if someone steps in seeking a ban on all wildlife photography. It is time for all senior photographers and mentors to lead by example, and tackle this issue proactively. It will not go away on its own. What is happening in Hesaraghatta is an absolute disgrace, but let’s take it as an opportunity for corrective action.

Nanoimprinting triples efficiency of solar panels

© Wei Ding

Chou's solar panel can trap light more efficiently and reduce reflection by utilizing a nanomesh.

A new method for creating solar panels using nanotechnology can double or triple their efficiency in capturing and converting light to electricity. The new nanotechnology was developed by a research group led by electrical engineering professor Stephen Chou and has the potential to significantly improve the performance of organic solar panels used to generate renewable energy.

The key mechanism behind the success of the solar panels is a manufacturing technique called “nanoimprint lithography” invented by Chou 16 years ago. Whereas traditional techniques require expensive chemical reactions, Chou explained that his method uses mechanical processes to deform the panel’s active layer, the layer that is responsible for capturing light, into a desired pattern.

As a result, nanoimprinting reduces the time of manufacturing by several-fold. It is also easier to perform on a large scale, as well as simpler and cheaper than existing techniques. In 2003, Chou’s technology was selected as one of the MIT Technology Review’s “10 Emerging Technologies that Will Change the World.”

“At the time, it was absolutely crazy because people for many, many years always used light,” Chou said. “Now the imprint became a well-accepted technology for manufacturing.”

In the new solar cells, which are detailed in a paper coauthored by Chou and electrical engineering graduate student Wei Ding this past November, the thin upper active layer is composed of a metal mesh of nano-size holes instead of the traditional indium tin oxide films, which are made of an expensive and rare material. In comparison, the new cells’ active layer can be made of conducting metals such as copper or gold, according to Chou.

The application of nanoimprint technology to solar panels is able to increase both the panels’ light absorption and light retention. Whereas 20 to 50 percent of the light that hits a traditional solar panel is reflected and consequently lost, only five percent of incoming light reflects off the new solar panel, Ding said. Furthermore, due to new physical interactions that happen in the metallic nanostructures, Chou explained that the new panels are equally efficient in collecting indirect sunlight as light that directly hits the panel’s surface.

The next step to implementing the new technology in solar panels is to develop tools that can perform nanoimprint manufacturing on a large scale, a development that Chou has compared to inventing the printing press. Although his group is not actively working to commercialize the new panels, Chou said he believes that they will be utilized in the future. The deciding factor for their implementation will be future government policies and whether they encourage outside investment in the technology.

“From the technology side, I believe that our development, many parts of it, will be used for the next generation of solar cells,” Chou said.

“It is very promising in the future because it is relatively cheap,” Ding added. “I think it can happen within five years.”

The development that Chou and his group have put forth is regarded as a significant advancement for the field of renewable energy, according to mechanical and aerospace engineering and applied and computational mathematics professor Emily Carter.

“These kinds of innovations are critical to improving the efficiency of organic solar cells. It could potentially be transformative,” Carter, who is also the director of the Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment, explained. “The fact that he can essentially capture all the light is extremely promising”

Chou and Ding are currently working on applying the nanotechnology to a variety of materials in order to continue increasing the efficiency of organic solar cells.

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