The Temple of Ramesses III at Medinet Habu, Luxor, is one of the most impressive and well-preserved temples in ancient Egypt. The temple was built by Ramesses III, the second pharaoh of the Twentieth Dynasty, in the 12th century BCE. The walls of the temple are covered in hieroglyphics that recount the stories of Ramesses III's victories, both at home and abroad. One of the … [Read more...] about The Marvelous Hieroglyphics of Ramesses III at Medinet Habu
Christmas Island’s Crabs: A Feast for the Opportunists
Every year, at the start of the wet season, mature red crabs on Christmas Island migrate to the coast to spawn. They can only spawn their eggs once a month, and the timing of their spawning is linked to the tides. This can overlap with the previous month's babies returning to the island, providing a feast for opportunistic crabs. The red crab migration is a truly spectacular … [Read more...] about Christmas Island’s Crabs: A Feast for the Opportunists
Nunatak: A Mountain Peak Piercing the Antarctic Ice
A nunatak is a mountain peak that protrudes from an ice field or glacier. Nunataks are often found in Antarctica, where the ice sheet is so thick that it covers almost the entire continent. The nunatak in the photograph above is located in Antarctica. It is a towering peak that rises out of the ice, surrounded by a vast expanse of white. The nunatak is a stark reminder of … [Read more...] about Nunatak: A Mountain Peak Piercing the Antarctic Ice
The Oort Cloud: A Celestial Bubble of Ice and Dust
Imagine a massive celestial bubble made of ice and dust surrounding our Solar System. That's the Oort Cloud, and it's one of the most mysterious and fascinating places in the universe. The Oort Cloud lies at the very edges of the Solar System, extending from about 2,000 to 100,000 astronomical units (AU) from the Sun. That's up to 100,000 times the distance between the … [Read more...] about The Oort Cloud: A Celestial Bubble of Ice and Dust
The Parietal Eye: A Third Eye for Some Vertebrates
A parietal eye, also known as a third eye or pineal eye, is a part of the epithalamus present in some vertebrates. It is located at the top of the head and is photoreceptive, meaning that it can sense light. The parietal eye regulates circadian rhythmicity and hormone production for thermoregulation. What is the parietal eye? The parietal eye is a small, vestigial organ … [Read more...] about The Parietal Eye: A Third Eye for Some Vertebrates