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1. After a 16-year study, German astronomers have reported a black hole in the middle of the Milky Way Galaxy. At four million times the size of the sun, it’s a wonder why hundreds of international observatories haven’t noticed it before; especially those in Peru that have been around for 4200 years!  Don’t worry about the entire galaxy being sucked into this massive abyss though because it’s a good 27,000 light years away.  Plus, tonight you should watch out for the moon’s collision with the Earth! Not really, but tonight’s moon will be its closest distance in 15 years.

2. How is Google Earth costing the government 600,000 dollars?  After this photo of the Coronado Naval Amphibious Base surfaced last year, observant onlookers noted the building looked quite similar to a Swastika from above.  To correct this architectural controversy, the government is spending 600K to make renovations to the four separate buildings.  Makes you wonder what your house is saying from above! 

3. The world’s population is increasing at an astronomical rate according to this population ticker, but have you ever wanted to put a name to a number?  Babynamemap.com can help you to find the most popular names in the U.S. and selected countries like Australia, Sweden, Denmark or England. Interestingly, many of the trendy names in America, such as Emily, Isabella, Jacob, and Christopher are also favorites around the world!  

4. Looking for more gifts for your geo-loving friend?  See if ArtofGeography.com can inspire you! “The Art of Geography is about combining art, technology, and appreciation of the natural world.”  You can search for custom maps, panoramas, or abstract paintings that look quite similar to satellite images from GeoEye.

5. Just like food, language and music, the holiday spirit is adopted by different cities and transformed into something that’s unique to place.  Check out Intelligent Travel’s recent posts on “Celebrating the Season;” a chronicle of the ways in which different cities around the world celebrate Christmas.  Whether you’re soaking in the nutcracker ballet in Moscow or watching the lighting of the Rockefeller center Christmas tree in New York, there’s a Christmas tradition almost everywhere you go! 

 

Bethany for My Wonderful World

Images courtesy ScienceNewsforKids.com, BabyNameMap.com, ArtofGeography.com, Intelligent Travel.

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