Organic Night Vission

How cool is this:

Seeing in the dark could soon be as easy as popping a pill or squeezing some drops into your eyes, thanks to some new science, an unusual deep-sea fish, and a plant pigment.

In the 1990s, marine biologist Ron Douglas of City University London discovered that, unlike other deep-sea fish, the dragonfish Malacosteus niger can perceive red light. Douglas was surprised when he isolated the chemical responsible for absorbing red: It was chlorophyll. “That was weird,” he says. The fish had somehow co-opted chlorophyll, most likely from bacteria in their food, and turned it into a vision enhancer.

Is there anything cooler than night vision? Not much. How cool would it be to be able to cruise around at night with no headlamps, no flash lights or torch. It would introduce a whole new aspect to camping. You could seriously take night hikes and truly discover the wonders of nature.

Later on the the article they mention that the feds are putting up money for the further development of this night vision. Can you imagine the advantage soldiers and law enforcement would have being able to see at night? Crazy! It reminds me of Predator. Couldn't beat the Govenator even with night vision though.

2012

I have often been intrigued by ancient cultures, their beliefs and origins. The mysteries as to how the ancient Egyptian pyramids were built or why the Nazca Lines were created are examples of events that have captivated me for most of my life. Now perhaps one of the more relative of these mysterious events is concerned with the Mayan civilization and their calenders. It seems that their calender is just about to finish a 5000 year cycle and there are many speculations to what will happen. The most sensational is that it will be the end of life as we know it. Or in other cases, some see it as simply a new beginning. Whatever your view, it will most likely be discussed in length in San Francisco this upcoming weekend. The 2012 Conference kicks off on Saturday at the Fort Mason Center. Although I don't believe that the Mayans were able to predict the future, it would be cool to learn about what they were thinking and believed concerning the cycle of life, the earth and the universe.

California Academy of the Sciences in San Francisco

Alright! I went. I know I should have waited a while until the crowds waned, but we could not resist. As I mentioned before. This building is on the forefront of green technology. Never mind the treasure of knowledge beyond the doors.

So we braved Saturday afternoon traffic into the City and made our way slowly but surely over to Golden Gate Park(AKA the Outside Lands). Of course the line was long but I was able to cut our wait in half by going down the the little kiosks that were lined up about 75 yards out from the main entrance.

After shelling out $50 for two tickets, we cruised right in. The interior architecture was very modern with sky lighted rooftops, glass domes, white concrete walls and supports. The main attractions seemed to be the Morrison Planetarium, the rainforest, and the aquarium. For the planetarium, you need to buy tickets. It seems that getting the tickets in advance is the way to go seeing as it was all sold out. The line to the rain forest seemed have a hundred people waiting, so we did not bother. We did however check out the African Exhibit where they had a live South African Penguin environment and many replicated animals in their respective settings as well. In the main lobby, there were many interactive displays that let patrons guess and learn about evolution, listen about extinct insects, and watch blazing California forest and brush fires.

Then we went down below to to check out the aquarium. Talk about a mad house. New rule here. If your baby is in a stroller, chances are you baby is too young to appreciate the science that surrounds them. So... No Stroller! But back to nature at hand. The aquarium did not disappoint. They have the "Philippine Coral Reef" with all the fish and animal life playing the parts. They have a deep see exhibit where all you could see is the luminescence of the fish. To be honest I could not discern if the deep sea dwellers were real or fake. There were so many people down there that I couldn't get to the plaques that explained and describe what one was looking at. But is was cool nonetheless. Oh. I cannot forget the petting pond where you can pet starfish and the like. I remember the previous one as more aesthetically pleasing, but this one was obviously more functional.

Up to the roof. This is "the spot". Besides the rain forest and the planetarium (which I did not see on this round) here was where the most obvious changes were. With a large observation deck surrounded by native California ground cover, it was like looking over a green rolling hills with strange ocular like protrusions rising up every so often. There was a very cool view of the Sunset district to one side and a stunning gaze of the recently rebuilt De young Museum to the other. Oh and that reminds me. Your $25 admission to CAS also get you in the the De Young. So get an early start.

All in all, the Academy was a good experience. This was just a taste for me. I will go back after the new year and maybe on a weekday so that I can truly enjoy all that it has to offer.

earthquake

just felt one here in Walnut Creek about two minutes ago. Although the USGS has pinpointed the epicenter, has not released the intensity yet. Actually lets call it a 3.o shaker centered around Berkeley.

California Academy of the Sciences in San Francisco

Well it is about time. I have been waiting patiently for this to happen. And it has. The brand new, state of the art, green(Leed certified) and cutting edge California Academy of the Sciences in San Francisco has opened opened its doors to the world. I have read much on this and I am going to check it out as soon as I have a chance. CAS-as it is known- was established as one of the first scientific museums on the west coast and is one of the 10 largest Natural Museums in the world and apparently one of the oldest in the U.S. Now come the 21st century and this Eco wonder of the world has a living roof and houses the new and improved Morrison Planetarium, and a "natural history museum", and an aquarium inter alia. Let's Go!

Doomsday

This just cracks me up that these two whack jobs could even get to the point of our courts having to decide whether or not we have jurisdiction in such matters. I don't think that the scientists are going to haphazardly or purposely create a mini black hole. And what difference would it make anyway? We're all going to die anyway. Right?

U.S. District Court Judge Helen Gillmor dismissed a so-called "doomsday lawsuit" filed in Hawaii to stop the operation of a subatomic particle accelerator in Europe.