Amazing Clouds

What can be more peaceful joy than cloud spotting, watching clouds drift across the sky, changing shapes. Clouds are the part of nature's beauty and elegance.
Clouds fill the sky above us and are a part of every day, but they often are unnoticed. However there are some clouds which are so rare that these can attract any human eye!

1. Nacreous Clouds -
These are sometimes called mother-of-pearl clouds. These are 15-25 km high in the stratosphere. Nacreous clouds shine brightly with beautiful colors and have slow movement relative to the lower clouds.

2. Mammatus Clouds -
Mammatus clouds are pouch-like cloud structures and a rare example of clouds in sinking air. Some people have misconception about these clouds. According to them these clouds show that a tornado is about to be formed. But these clouds are harmless, In fact these are usually seen after the worst of a thunderstorm has passed.

3. Altocumulus Castelanus -
These clouds are also called jelly fish clouds because of their jelly fish like appearance. These are formed when the rush of moist air comes from the Gulf Stream and gets trapped between the layers of dry air. The top of the cloud rises into a jelly fish shape and long tentacles, formed from the rain drops which have evaporated.

4. Noctilucent Clouds -
Noctilucent Clouds are also known as Polar Mesopheric clouds. These are extraordinary rare cloud formation that occurs out on the verge of space between 82km to 102km from the earth's surface. These clouds appear to be luminous yet they reflect the sunlight from the other side of the earth at night, giving them a glowing appearance.

5. Mushroom Clouds -
A mushroom cloud is a distinctive mushroom-shaped cloud of smoke, condensed water vapor, or debris resulting from a very large explosion. However any large blast will produce the same kind of effects. For an example, the volcanic eruptions produce the mushroom clouds.

These clouds are produced as a result of the formation of a large mass of hot-low density gases near the ground. The mass of gas rises rapidly and reaches an altitude where it is no longer dense than the surrounding air and disperses, the debris drawn upward from the ground scattering and drifting back down.

6. Cirrus Kelvin-Helmholtz -
These are among one of the most distinctive cloud formations. Appearing as a slender, horizontal spiral of cloud, these tend to dissipate only a minute or two after forming. These clouds are rarely observed. The average height of these clouds is around 16,500 ft.

7. Lenticular Clouds -
Lenticular clouds are stationary lens-shaped clouds that form at high altitudes, normally aligned at right angles to the wind direction. Where stable moist air flows over a mountain or a range of mountains, a series of large-scale standing waves may form on the downwind side.

Lenticular clouds sometimes are formed at the crests of these waves. Under certain conditions, long strings of lenticular clouds can form a wave cloud.

8. Roll Clouds -
A roll cloud is a low, horizontal tube-shaped cloud associated with a thunderstorm gust front, or sometimes a cold front. Roll clouds can also be a sign of possible micro burst activity. These clouds are formed when the cool air lifts the warm moist air then water condenses creating cloud, which often rolls with the different winds above and below.

9. Shelf Clouds -
A shelf cloud is a low, horizontal wedge-shaped cloud, associated with a thunderstorm gust front. Unlike a roll cloud, a shelf cloud is attached to the base of the parent cloud above it. Rising cloud motion often can be seen in the leading part of the shelf cloud.

10. Stratocumulus Clouds -
These low altitude stratocumulus clouds are rolled into long, distinctive ribbons after becoming trapped in air currents. These clouds are very rare to be observed.

Chow Chow

Do you know Chow Chow are the dogs not having a pink tongue! Chow Chow is a breed of dog that was developed in China. It is also known by Chow, Chowdren. In China it is referred to as Songshi Quan, which means 'puffy-lion dog'. An ancient breed of northern Chinese origin, this all-purpose dog was used for hunting, pulling and protection of the home. They are powerful, sturdy, squarely built having strong muscular development and heavy bones.
Chows are distinguished with their unusual blue-black/purple tongue. The bluish color extends to its lips. The Chow is the only dog breed with this distinctive bluish color in its lips and oral cavity.

It has a broad skull and small, triangular, erect ears, which are rounded at the tips. Because of its deep set eyes the Chow has limited peripheral vision and is best approached from the front. This breed has a very dense double coat (hairs that cover its body) that can either be smooth or rough. Chow Chow is available in five colors including red, black, blue, cream, cinnamon/fawn.

The Chow Chow is most commonly opted as a pet. They are very protective for their people and property and may not be an appropriate dog for a first-time dog owner! However their aggressive and timid behavior is considered unacceptable by AKC standards. The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a registry of purebred dog pedigrees in the United States. The Chow Chow is considered to be suspicious of strangers and protective of family. These are intelligent creatures, eager to please their masters. If they are properly introduced and treated fairly, they can be very good companions. Some people characterize it having similar personality as that of a cat. Owning a Chow Chow can raise the cost of insurance of homeowners as some companies regard them as "high risk dogs". A healthy Chow Chow can live as long as 15 years.

Many famous personalities like US President Calvin Coolidge, Indian actor R. Madhavan, American actress Janet Jackson, American business magnate Martha Stewart own this breed of dog.

Life on Titan

What is Titan ?? Titan is the largest moon on planet Saturn and the only natural satellite known to have a dense atmosphere. It is the only object other than Earth on which the traces of  surface liquid have been found. It has a diameter around 50% larger than that of the Earth's moon. Titan is the second largest moon in the solar system after planet Jupiter's moon Ganymede. Its atmosphere is largely composed of nitrogen, minor components leads to the formation of ethane and methane clouds and nitrogen-rich organic smog.

"Life on Titan" is at present an open question and a topic for scientific discussion. Titan is far colder than Earth because its distance from the sun is more and its surface seems to lack liquid water as the water ice does not melt. The surface temperature is about 94K (-179^oC or -290^oF). It has also been suggested that life could exist in the liquid methane and ethane that form rivers and lakes on Titan's surface just as the life exists on Earth with water. The creatures which would live on Titan would inhale H₂ in place of O₂, react it with acetylene instead of glucose and exhale methane instead of carbon dioxide. Moreover, its surface is thick and chemically active and is known to be rich in organic compounds.
One of the scientists has proposed that the hypothetical organisms on Titan use hydrogen and acetylene as the  energy sources. In 2007 a committee chaired by John A. Baross, an astrobiologist considered that if life is an intrinsic property of chemical reactivity then life should exist on Titan. Indeed, for life not to exist on Titan, we would have to argue with the fact that life is not an intrinsic property of the reactivity of carbon containing molecules under conditions where they are stable.
Conditions on Titan could become far more habitable in the future. Six billion years from now, as the sun becomes a red giant the surface temperature could rise enough for stable oceans of water/ammonia mixture to exist on the surface.

Buddh International Circuit

The Buddh International Circit (BIC) is a Formula One racing circuit in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India. It is India's first F1 track. The BIC is ready to host the inaugral Formula One Indian Grand Prix on 30th October 2011. This 5.4 km long circuit is designed by the German architect and racetrack designer Herman Tilke. The circuit is said to become the second fastest track on the F1 calender after Monza and expects the fastest lap time to be under one minute 27 seconds, with average speed crossing 210 kmph. Mercedes-Benz and the Jaypee Group have concluded an agreement whereby Mercedes-Benz cars will be utilized as safety/monitor cars for all the events at the track.

WHY the circuit is named as BUDDH ??
The circuit is owned by the Jaypee Group. Originally it was named as Jaypee International race circuit but in April 2011, it was officially named as Buddh International Circuit. The name is derived from the word Buddha which is the symbol of peace and calm. Also the circuit is located in the Gautam Budh Nagar District which itself was named after the Gautam Buddha.  
The Formula one lovers can be a part of this mega event by paying Rs. 2500 onwards. The tickets are priced between Rs. 2500 and Rs. 35,000. 

Do Apple seeds and cherry pits contain poison

The attractive rose family includes apples along with cherries, almonds, peaches. Yes, apple seeds and cherry pits are poisonous. Infact if you eat enough apple seeds or cherry pits you could die. Apple seeds contain a small amount of cyanogenic acids (cyanide), which is a lethal poison but the seeds are coated with a hard seed coating which protects us from toxins. However, if you chew the seeds thoroughly you will be exposed to the chemicals inside the seeds. And if you eat the seeds without chewing then the digestive system remains untouched by the harmful chemicals.

Symptoms of  poisoning include headache, dizziness, confusion, anxiety and vomiting. Larger amount of the chemical may lead to difficulty in breathing, increased blood pressure and heart rate. It may also lead to kidney failure. As compared to the adults, children and pets are more likely to be affected by the chemicals contained in the seeds. If you eat a seed or two then there is no need to create panic as our body is able to detoxify the small quantities of cyanide compounds. They naturally occur in several foods.

Conclusion - The small quantities of cyanide compounds do not affect the human body but if taken in sufficient amount then it can be harmful and can even cause death.

Amazing Facts about Space

• Astronauts get taller when they are in space.
• The first creature in space was Laika, a little Russian dog.
• The path of the moon's orbit around the earth would easily fit inside the sun.
• Any free moving liquid in outer space will form itself into a sphere, because of its surface tension.
• If two pieces of metal touch in space, they become permanently struck together. 
• The planet Uranus was originally named as George, in honour of King George of Britain.
• Venus is the only planet that spins backwards.
• One day on planet Pluto is about the length of a week on earth.
• A day in Mercury planet lasts approximately as long as 59 days on Earth.
• The red color of Mars is due to Mars is due to oxidized(rusted) iron in its soil.
• The slowest rotating planet is Venus. It takes 243.01 days to turn around.
• The Sun has sunspots, dark spots on the sun's surface 2000 degree cooler than the rest of the surface. 

How do Dolphins sleep

Do you know Dolphins sleep with their one eye open ! Dolphins are marine mammals that are closely related to whales and porpoises. Dolphins are among the most intelligent animals and are known for their friendly appearance which make them popular in human culture.

Dolphins sleep very different than most mammals in a way that they are not totally unconscious when they sleep.
Researches have shown that only half of dolphin's brain sleep at a time, leaving the other part fully aware of dangers. Besides being aware of dangers, dolphins need to be conscious to breathe. This means that they can not go under deep sleep because they could drown.
Apart from their sleeping, the dolphins don't drink water because if they drink sea water it would make them ill and potentially kill them. They get all their liquid needs from the food they eat.
Do you want to ADOPT a dolphin ? If yes then click here  

Amazing Lenses

If you want something out the ordinary when it comes to the contact lenses then you should have a look at these lenses which will enhance your excitement many may times ! These lenses are known as Crazy contacts or Halloween contact lenses. From a happy face to a soccer ball, have a look at some of the craziest contact lenses ever worn.

With Halloween fast approaching everybody is scrambling to find a costume that will add a WOW !! to their lifestyle.

This dragon eye contact lens is a full sclera covering contact lens that has a neon green and dark green outside  that looks like the scales of a dragon. If you want to buy these lenses then they are not cheap. If you have never used lenses then the dragon lenses are not an option for you! Because getting a full scleral contact lens in youe eyes is very difficult. These are priced at $219.99.

Keep your ball on the eye! These lenses will be yours by paying $54.

Looking for an extra spark in your eyes ! Then check it out...

Imagine having tiny Swarovski crystals beaming out of your eyes! The Swarovski crystals surround the edges of the lenses to create the "Sparkle".

These are the Micky Mouse contact lenses.

Smiling makes us attractive. Wear these smiling faces in your eyes and let yourself to be attractive and happy.

If you are a nature lover then must try these lenses with the zebra eyes. These are the Wild Zebra eyes contact lenses.

It's the stuff like this one that is definitely on the high end of freaking anyone out. These are the Hello Kitty contact lenses.
I am sure after looking at these amazing designs you must be planning to buy them. Stay Stylish and stay Beautiful !

Do Pearls melt (Dissolve) in Vinegar

Yes, pearls do melt in vinegar with time! A pearl is mostly calcium carbonate which is susceptible to even a weak acid solution. The crystals of calcium carbonate are converted by acetic acid (vinegar) into calcium which gets dissolved in the residual water and bubbles of carbon dioxide are produced. The other liquids which can also serve the purpose includes lemon juice, battery fluid.

The following reaction occurs -
CaCO₃ + CH₃COOH --> Ca + H₂O + CO₂

You can try this experiment at your home. There are common household substances such as beer, vinegar or citrus fruit that can be used to perform the activity. With the span of time the pearls will start dissolving in the substances. Perform this activity and share it with us.

Animals can naturally explode

Natural animal explosions can occur for a variety of reasons. On 2004, a buildup of gas inside a decomposing sperm whale, measuring 17 meters (56 ft.) long and weighing 50 tons, caused it to burst in Taiwan. The explosion was reported to have splattered blood and whale entrails over surrounding shop-fronts, bystanders, and cars.

A significant population of toads in Germany and Denmark were exploding in April 2005 in an act described as a self-defence mechanism that failed, as it consisted of puffing up to look bigger while under attack by crows. 

Play with numbers

1 x 8 + 1 = 9;
12 x 8 + 2 = 98;
123 x 8 + 3 = 987;
1234 x 8 + 4 = 9876;
12345 x 8 + 5 = 98765;
123456 x 8 + 6 = 987654;
1234567 x 8 + 7 = 9876543;
12345678 x 8 + 8 = 98765432;
123456789 x 8 + 9 = 987654321

Are you Internet (Google) Addicted

Today Google’s index list contain over 8 billion of web pages. Did you know that Backrub was the original name for Google search engine!
Google's Home Page has 63 validation errors !! Don't believe me check Google Validation.