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Illustration by Ger Erickson
In the shadow of Earth
We are no strangers to the night. Precisely half of our existence takes place in the shadow side of our planet. But as familiar with night as we are, one intriguing facet of it is rarely observable...
Dec 09, 2011 | 0 0 comments | 5 5 recommendations | email to a friend
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The sharp profile of oak branches fades into haze on a foggy morning atop Round Valley Regional Preserve.<br><i>Photo by Ger Erickson</i>
Green and white – the gift of winter
Grass and fog; green and white. How fitting that two colors from our holiday palette are the colors of winter in Northern California.
Dec 07, 2011 | 0 0 comments | 11 11 recommendations | email to a friend
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When viewed through a large telescope, the Andromeda Galaxy occupies a section of sky more than six times the width of the full Moon. As a naked-eye object, only Andromeda’s galactic nucleus is visible. Train your binoculars on M31 and you’ll be able to resolve the inner galactic disc surrounding the nucleus like fog framing a streetlamp.<br><i>Press graphic by Jac Carter</i>
Galaxy gazers rack up zillions of zeroes
How far can you see? The answer might surprise you. You resolve letters on an eye chart from a distance measured in feet; words and symbols on a road sign from a distance measured in yards; the ou...
Nov 08, 2011 | 0 0 comments | 13 13 recommendations | email to a friend
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The California coast redwoods that inhabit Muir Woods’ National Monument are the tallest living things on planet Earth.<BR><i>Photo by Ger Erickson</i>
Majesty and tranquility in perfect harmony
A walk through Muir Woods is an exercise in more than neck-craning. In the presence of the mighty redwoods we feel small, but not alienated.
Oct 06, 2011 | 2 2 comments | 14 14 recommendations | email to a friend
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Limestone tentacles dangle from the walls of Mercer Caverns, where the temperature remains a steady 55 F throughout the year.<br><i>Photo by Ger Erickson</i>
Stone spectacles conjured by alchemy of earth
Our primal fear of descending into darkness reins us back, yet we strain at the rein. Something calls to us from below, and we answer with cautious steps.
Aug 02, 2011 | 2 2 comments | 14 14 recommendations | email to a friend
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