Thermopsis rhombifolia...

Thermopsis rhombifolia...  Via BPOD, of course...

Curiosity looks back after crossing Dingo Gap on Mars...

Curiosity looks back after crossing Dingo Gap on Mars...  Via APOD, of course...

Popping bubble-wrap is a universal therapy...

Popping bubble-wrap is a universal therapy...

Great demonstration of afterimages...

Great demonstration of afterimages... 

The most beautiful formula...

The most beautiful formula...  The MRIs prove it!  For my non-mathematical readers (I'm looking at you, mom): that formula is known as “Euler’s identity”, one of the many discoveries and results of the 18th century Swiss mathematician Leonhard Euler.

How North ended up on top...

How North ended up on top...  For most of us, “north up” map orientation seems natural and obvious – but it's actually a purely cultural phenomenon.

It reminds me a bit of early Arctic explorer's astonishment when Eskimos were given photos – they never bothered to turn them right side up.  To them, any viewing angle worked just fine.  Research discovered that our inclination to turn photos right side up was correlated with reading – as soon as Eskimos learned how to read, they turned their photos right side up too!

How wolves change rivers...

How wolves change rivers...  A clear explanation of trophic cascades, with some beautiful cinematography to accompany it – scenery and wildlife from Yellowstone National Park.  You'll want to play this one in full-screen mode...

One inch of snow...

One inch of snow...  Could happen here in California, too...