Midslope

ilovecharts:

Color distribution of Smarties

-maybealittlebit 

This is delightful, but… these ARENT smarties. These are Rockets. 

jtotheizzoe:

From The Old Astronomer (To His Pupil) by Sarah Williams

The full poem:

Reach me down my Tycho Brahé, — I would know him when we meet,
When I share my later science, sitting humbly at his feet;
He may know the law of all things, yet be ignorant of how
We are working to completion, working on from then to now.

Pray remember that I leave you all my theory complete,
Lacking only certain data for your adding, as is meet,
And remember men will scorn it, ‘tis original and true,
And the obloquy of newness may fall bitterly on you.

But, my pupil, as my pupil you have learned the worth of scorn,
You have laughed with me at pity, we have joyed to be forlorn,
What for us are all distractions of men’s fellowship and wiles;
What for us the Goddess Pleasure with her meretricious smiles.

You may tell that German College that their honor comes too late,
But they must not waste repentance on the grizzly savant’s fate.
Though my soul may set in darkness, it will rise in perfect light;
I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night.

What, my boy, you are not weeping? You should save your eyes for sight;
You will need them, mine observer, yet for many another night.
I leave none but you, my pupil, unto whom my plans are known.
You “have none but me,” you murmur, and I “leave you quite alone”?

Well then, kiss me, — since my mother left her blessing on my brow,
There has been a something wanting in my nature until now;
I can dimly comprehend it, — that I might have been more kind,
Might have cherished you more wisely, as the one I leave behind.

I “have never failed in kindness”? No, we lived too high for strife,—
Calmest coldness was the error which has crept into our life;
But your spirit is untainted, I can dedicate you still
To the service of our science: you will further it? you will!

There are certain calculations I should like to make with you,
To be sure that your deductions will be logical and true;
And remember, “Patience, Patience,” is the watchword of a sage,
Not to-day nor yet to-morrow can complete a perfect age.

I have sown, like Tycho Brahé, that a greater man may reap;
But if none should do my reaping, ‘twill disturb me in my sleep
So be careful and be faithful, though, like me, you leave no name;
See, my boy, that nothing turn you to the mere pursuit of fame.

I must say Good-bye, my pupil, for I cannot longer speak;
Draw the curtain back for Venus, ere my vision grows too weak:
It is strange the pearly planet should look red as fiery Mars,—
God will mercifully guide me on my way amongst the stars.

This poem made me feel melancholy and wistful. I like it.

Ten lined june beetle or Watermelon Beetle - Polyphylla decemlineata I found 4 of these guys in jars in the lab. Once they’re re-hydrated I’m going to pin them up fancy. I like finding awesome things in the lab. Makes it worth cleaning…

stilllifequickheart:

Pieter Holsteyn the Younger

Beetles

1649-51

(via scientificillustration)

stilllifequickheart:

Brigid Edwards

Acrocinus longimanus (Harlequin Beetle)

2005

(via scientificillustration)

Sand Cats (Felis margarita) are awesome because a) they are cute b) their latin name is awesome c) this particular sand cat is just so damn unimpressed by everything, he is a perfect meme cat. 
This picture is from Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Felis_margarita_10.jpg) 

Skull Photos - A skull I found while working in North Western BC. Actually my co-worker found it, screamed, called me over, and I grabbed it and brought it back to camp. The first photo is from the day I brought it back, the rest are after I boiled it to clean it. Some of the front teeth fell out doing that, I’m still getting around to putting them back… Still working on an ID.

thomashendersonart:

Eupholus bennetti Gestro

Ref from Urjsa

sciencecenter:

climateadaptation:

“Las Vegas cares about the environment…We use imported water.”

I’m trying to imagine the staff meetings they had discussing importing water as well as design approval for this sign. Were there power points and budget analysis? Unreal. Via

If, in the future, someone makes a gravestone for America, I think it will say “We use imported water in our water feature.”

What does this even mean?!?

Pretty butterflies!

(via scientificillustration)