As if he hadn’t done enough to get the public at large interested in space with his zero-gravity version of David Bowie’s “Space Oddity”(video below), Col. Chris Hadfield has released a book of photographs taken from the international space station called You Are Here: Around the World in 92 Minutes, published by Little Brown. These photos are a stunning example of how much beauty can come from a change in perspective. “Bird’s eye view” doesn’t cut it here: these photos are a rare glimpse of a view of earth seen by a relative few. These photos are an absolute delight.
1.) Close Neighbors: (left to right) Windsor, Ontario, and Detroit, Michigan, split by the Detroit River.
2.) Cuba, Florida, and everything in between.
3.) The Nile River, flowing into the Mediterranean Sea.
4.) New York City: Day and Night.
5.) The Richat Structure, Mauritania.
6.) Great Salt Lake, Utah.
To see more of these amazing photos, you can find Chris Hadfield’s book here.
And as promised, here is Chris Hadfield’s rendition of David Bowie’s “Space Oddity.”
Read more: http://viralnova.com/incredible-photos-from-orbit/
There are lots of strange or unique-looking plants in nature, most of which you probably don’t even know exist. Some are carnivorous or only bloom for a few hours every year… and some totally look like something else. When an object is a dead ringer for something else, it’s a phenomenon is known as pareidolia. The flowers you see below are exotic looking for a reason. They bloom in such a way so that animals or insects will be attracted to them and assist in pollinating the flowers. Even though there is a good reason for it, the resulting flower formations are still so weird (and often adorable).
1.) Monkey Face Orchid (Dracula Simia)
2.) Moth Orchid (Phalaenopsis)
3.) Naked Man Orchid (Orchis Italica)
4.) Hooker’s Lips (Psychotria Elata)
5.) Dancing Girls (Impatiens Bequaertii)
6.) Laughing Bumble Bee Orchid (Ophrys bomybliflora)
7.) Swaddled Babies (Anguloa Uniflora)
8.) Parrot Flower (Impatiens Psittacina)
9.) Snap Dragon Seed Pod (Antirrhinum)
10.) Flying Duck Orchid (Caleana Major)
11.) Orchid that looks like a tiger
12.) Happy Alien (Calceolaria Uniflora)
13.) Angel Orchid (Habenaria Grandifloriformis)
14.) Dove Orchid (Peristeria Elata)
16.) White Egret Orchid (Habenaria Radiata)
17.) Darth Vader (Aristolochia Salvadorensis)
(H/T Bored Panda) These flowers in particular are all species of orchid, a flower family known for its exotic and fragrant blooms. Currently, there are between 21,950 and 26,049 currently accepted species of orchid. (Obviously, the best ones are the plants with blooms that look like tiny monkeys or faces.) Share these incredible flowers with others.
Read more: http://viralnova.com/flowers-look-like-other-things/
Personally, I’ve always thought it would be cool to be a neon orange human. Now, I know that’s never going to happen. (That kind of thing is impossible right?) Strange color mutations and variations is actually possible for many creatures. In the animal kingdom, genetic mutations that result in pigment changes are actually fairly common. These changes can be subtle, or really drastic. Pink elephants anyone? Here are 27 of our favorites:
1.) Pink baby elephant. This may actually be the cutest thing ever.
3.) A piebald deer. A piebald animal has white and brown patches rather than fur of a single color due to a genetic variation.
5.) Pink dragon fly, what?!
6.) “My camouflage is so awesome. They have no idea I’m here. Hehehe.”
8.) A golden mongoose. Also the greatest name for a metal band, ever.
9.) Hello Mr. Piebald Squirrel.
13.) Moose, piebald style.
14.) That coloring only makes this python that much more terrifying.
15.) Sweet paint job, bro.
16.) Tiger family with different colorations.
17.) Erythristic black backed jackal. Erythrism is a genetic condition that turns an animal’s fur an unusual reddish pigmentation.
18.) A chimera cat. A chimera in genetics is when the cells from two distinct eggs in the womb merge together to create one total offspring.
20.) Nice contrasting colors.
22.) Crazy zebra strip pattern.
23.) A very rare cheetah without spots.
25.) Polly want to be more colorful?
26.) Erythristic baby zebra.
27.) Badger with his erythristic badger friend.
I really really like that pink elephant. BONUS! In case you like weird animals (and not just oddly colored animals), check out what else we found:
2.) Giant Soft Shelled Turtle
5.) Lamprey. This is also terrifying.
I can’t even believe some of these are real. See what your friends think of these animals by clicking below to share on Facebook.
Read more: http://viralnova.com/color-mutations/
When you fly on an airplane, do you prefer to sit in the aisle or by the window? Well, this Reddit user just made one of the most compelling arguments for sitting in a window seat that you’ll ever read. It’s not about safety or convenience. His reasoning is much, much cooler.
1.) You could see Chicago’s skyline reflected in Lake Michigan.
2.) You could see an amazing rainstorm in the distance.
3.) You could see a solar eclipse at 44,000 ft.
4.) You could get a breathtaking view of the highest point in Africa.
5.) You could see a beautiful sunrise.
6.) Your breath could be taken away by a sunset.
7.) You could see gorgeous waterfalls.
8.) You could see a giant forest fire.
9.) You could see a stunning view of a country like Norway.
10.) You could be mesmerized by an endless sea of clouds.
Source: Reddit Not to mention sleeping is also much easier when you’re leaning against the window and not a total stranger. Share these amazing pictures with your friends and convince them to start getting the window seat, too.
Read more: http://viralnova.com/always-get-window-seat/