Mystery Solved: Mars Had Large Oceans

 

Since 1991, planetary scientists have floated the idea that Mars once harbored vast oceans that covered roughly one-third of the planet. Two long shore-like lips of rock in the planet's northern hemisphere were thought to be the best evidence, but experts argued that they were too hilly to describe the smooth edges of ancient oceans. The view just changed dramatically with a surprisingly simple breakthrough. The once-flat shorelines were disfigured by a massive toppling over of the planet, scientists announced. The warping of the Martian rock has hidden clear evidence of the oceans, which in any case have been gone for at least 2 billion years. Red more: http://bit.ly/14DYSXi

Do you think the U.S. should send a manned spaceship to Mars?

'Comet of the Century'? We'll soon find out

Space scientists are fanatically tracking a recently discovered comet that is streaking toward the sun, waiting to see if it will live up to its hype as a possible "Comet of the Century." Comet ISON began its journey about 10,000 years ago when it left our solar system and started its peril-fraught approach to the sun, according to NASA.

On Nov. 28, it will make its closest pass to the sun — within about 680,000 miles from the stellar surface, according to Zolt Levay, imaging team lead at NASA's Space Telescope Science Institute.
If the comet survives, it could emerge glowing as brightly as the moon, visible to the naked eye, creating a spectacular sky-watching show for us on Earth, NASA says.
Read more: http://on-msn.com/15Nnh9p
Are you a star gazer?

Scientists describe 'remarkable' new dinosaur species

 

The 'big nose, horn face' Nasutoceratops is a newly-discovered dinosaur species unearthed with very unusual features, scientists say. The dinosaur, discovered in Utah, is part of the triceratops family. Scientists say they've finally analyzed dinosaur fossils found in 2006 and discovered the new species with rare, striking features.

Named the Nasutoceratops, literally meaning "big nose, horn face," the 15-foot animal is a member of the triceratops family, but stands out because of its unusually large nose and elongated horns. Read more: http://on-msn.com/12x8cH3
How do you think dinosaurs became extinct?

Top 10 travel hot spots for students in 2014

Exploring the world doesn't just teach students about traveling, it gives them a real connection to the places they read about in textbooks. It truly is a way to make the world your classroom. A recent study reveals the top 10 destinations preferred by students. And you're in luck if you would like to travel with Discovery Student Adventures. We immerse our travelers in 7 of the 10 top destinations, including Italy, Spain, Great Britain, Costa Rica, China, and Australia. Check out our 2014 trips: http://bit.ly/1522NZj
If you could make the world your classroom, where would you go?

NASA discovers 'blue planet' 63 light-years away

NASA announced Hubble Space Telescope has found a true blue planet out in the alien world. "Astronomers making visible-light observations with NASA's Hubble Space Telescope have deduced the actual color of a planet orbiting another star 63 light-years away," NASA said.  The planet — HD 189733b — is one of the closest exoplanets that can be seen crossing the face of its star. "We saw the light becoming less bright in the blue but not in the green or red. Light was missing in the blue but not in the red when it was hidden," said research team member Frederic Pont
 Do you think there is life elsewhere in the universe?

Solar plane completes cross-country ends American odyssey

The Swiss-built Solar Impulse airplane ended its two-month-long, solar-powered trip across America with a nail-biter of a flight from Washington to New York. "Maybe if I didn't have 10 cameras pointed at me, I would cry," Swiss adventurer Bertrand Piccard, one of the pilots for the coast-to-coast journey, said just before landing at New York City's John F. Kennedy International Airport. The extra drama came from the discovery in the trip's final hours that the ultra-light airplane had suffered an 8-foot-long tear in the fabric on the lower side of the left wing. Read more: http://nbcnews.to/11rjOjH
How long do you think until commercial airliners can fly on solar power?

Countdown to Discovery Shark Week

The Discovery Channel’s Shark Week kicks off August 4. How much do you know about these infamous fish?  For starters, these creatures have roamed the Earth for more than 250 million years. And, although they are known to prey occasionally on humans, only a few of the more than 200 species of sharks are considered maneaters. Strengthen your shark knowledge with 100 fascinating facts about the world's most feared creatures as you prepare for Shark Week 2013. Just don't bite off more than you can chew! http://bit.ly/15G9gJa

The Loch Ness monster legend: It's geology's fault

The infamous Loch Ness monster often appears, according to legend, accompanied by Earth tremors and swirling bubbles from the Scottish lake of the same name. However, at least one researcher believes the shaking ground and bubbles aren't signs of a monster but rather an active fault underlying Loch Ness and other nearby lakes. Italian geologist Luigi Piccardi credits the Great Glen fault system for reported sightings of the legendary beast. Read more here:  http://nbcnews.to/12DF7fX
Do you believe in the Loch Ness Monster?

Cousteau grandson will try to beat undersea record

 

Fabien Cousteau, grandson of French oceanographer Jacques-Yves Cousteau, will attempt to spend a record 31 days living and working underwater in a bus-sized laboratory submerged in the warm, turquoise Atlantic off the Florida Keys.

If he succeeds, he will beat the 30-day underwater living record set 50 years ago in the Red Sea by his scuba-pioneering grandfather, Jacques-Yves Cousteau. "We're doing something unprecedented," said the 45-year-old who grew up on the decks of his grandfather's ships, Calypso and Alcyone. "It's the risk of discovery, it's the curiosity, it's the adventure." While submerged, Cousteau and his five-person team plan to Skype with school children in classrooms around the world. Read more: http://on-msn.com/1cFnJsS